Embrace winter fun at Boyce Park SnowFest

Participants in the Boyce Park SnowFest don’t have to be an advanced downhill skier – or even a beginner on the bunny slope – to have a cool weekend of winter fun at the 6th annual event Jan. 24 and 25.

Several free indoor activities at Boyce Park’s Four Seasons Activity Center in Plum will be available for families on Jan. 25, including face painters and balloon artists from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a Mascot Meet and Greet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., puppet shows from noon to 3 p.m. and photo booth from noon to 4 p.m. in the lodge.

Outdoor events will feature Mini Junior Olympics Ski and Snowboard Races at 10 a.m. for ages 5-12, mascot snowtubing races at 11:30 a.m., Snowshoeing with the Park Rangers from noon to 3 p.m. and the 6th annual Cardboard Box Snow Tubing Derby at 2 p.m.

Cardboard Box Snow Tubing Derby

Registration opens at 2 p.m. for the Cardboard Box Snow Tubing Derby to be held at 4:30 p.m. on the snow tubing hill. Participants will construct a sled from their own cardboard and duct tape and race down the snow tubing hill.

The entry fee is $10, or $5 and a canned good. Entry fees benefit the Boyce Park Ski Patrol, and canned goods will be donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The Ski Patrol must approve all sleds. Age groups are 15 and under, and 16 and older.

All participants must be at least 50 inches tall and sign a waiver. Parents or legal guardians must sign waivers for participants ages 17 and under. Prizes will be given to the top three finishers in each age category.

Rail Jam competition

Friday night fun from 6-10 p.m. Jan. 24 will include a new Rail Jam competition with prizes at 7:30 p.m. open to skiers and snowboarders ages 13 and up.

Allegheny Parks spokesman Kevin Evanto says there is no registration fee for the Rail Jam competition, but participants must have a valid lift ticket. Signups start at 6 p.m. in the lodge.

From 6-9 p.m., there will be music by DJ Underdog and craft beer from Hop Farm Brewing Co.

“Our goal is to create a fun evening for adults as part of SnowFest,” he says.

Even if the weekend weather forecast doesn’t include cold temperatures and snow, Evanto says that “we built up enough snow depth on the main slope, beginner slope and snow tubing hill to withstand the warm and rainy weather we’ve been having. Forecasted low temperatures (during the week) will give us the opportunity to make additional snow, so all activities will take place.”

Lift ticket prices

Special prices for all-day lift tickets for skiing and snowboarding on Jan. 25 (not including rental equipment) for Allegheny County residents are: $27 for ages 60 and older and 6-17, $37 for ages 18-59, and $14 for ages 5 and under. Non-resident rates are $34 (ages 60 and older and 6-17), $48 (ages 18-59) and $17 (ages 5 and under).

Evanto says skiers can check out snow conditions on the ski slopes at skiboyce.com.

“SnowFest is a fun-filled event for all ages,” he said. “Whether or not a family is into skiing and snowboarding, there’s plenty to do and see. If a family is thinking about snow tubing at SnowFest, we encourage them to buy tickets in advance at www.skiboyce.com.”