Bonfire, fun, food at ice fishing derby

Create a life memory and take a kid ice fishing Saturday, Jan. 27, to the Horseshoe Fish and Game Club’s annual ice fishing derby at 44 Greens Pond Road in Merrimack. (Storm date is Feb. 3.) Food is available on the ice and in the clubhouse starting at 6 a.m. Ice fishing begins at 7 a.m. and traps are available. There will be a bonfire, on-ice instructions from 8-10 a.m., provided holes and free shiners. Raffles are drawn throughout the day and prizes for heaviest fish by category awarded after 2:30 p.m.

Donation: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 7-15, free for kids 6 or younger and active duty military. All proceeds benefit the club’s scholarship fund, providing $1,000 each to two high school seniors annually.

Note: All New Hampshire Fish and Game rules and regulations apply. Buy licenses via Fish and Game online or at the Club on Derby day. No lead sinkers; two trap limit per person. Please park in the parking lots, not on the road. Information: horseshoefishand game.org or call Tom at 966-8358 or Mike at 864-9838.

Ski and snowboard on Jan. 27-28

Ski New Hampshire kicks off Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month in January with discount lesson packages offered by ski resorts across the state, which will culminate in a statewide celebration of Ski New Hampshire Weekend on Jan. 27-28.

There’s no better time to learn to ski and snowboard than in January. Skiers and snowboarders of all abilities agree that taking a lesson your first time makes a huge difference, and our Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month special is a great and affordable way to try a new sport. Offers include a $39 lift, lesson and rentals beginner package for alpine skiing and riding, and a $19 trail pass, lesson, and rentals beginner package at cross-country ski areas.

In addition, Ski New Hampshire members were part of the national Bring a Friend Weekend efforts on Jan. 5-7, as well as the upcoming World Snow Day on Jan. 21.

Note: Availability and restrictions for this program vary at each resort. Remember – this program is designed for Level 1 students – that is, people who have never been on skis or snowboards before. If you want to improve your skiing, lessons are available for all levels of ability!