New Mexico and southern Colorado ski areas got a much-needed rebuilding of their bases after heavy holiday use by visitors and locals, drawn to arguably the best conditions in the nation. Here are details on the best of the region's special events:

Ski Santa Fe will host live music at Totemoff's during the 2nd Annual Santa Fe Winter Fiesta, running Jan. 27-Feb. 5. The nearby Norski Trailhead will be the site of a snowshoe scavenger hunt from 1 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 4. In town, All.I.Can will be screened at the Farmers Market Pavilion at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31. Admission is $10.

On Feb. 19, all skiers and boarders are welcome to join in the 2nd Annual Pine Cup Race at Santa Fe. On March 25, the ski area hosts the 7th annual Tessa Horan Ascension. Participants on randonee, AT, telemark, snowboards and alpine skis are all allowed in the event, with competitors ascending on their own power to the summit of the quad chair and then racing down. Prizes will be provided in this fundraiser for the ski patrol. Entry fee is $30. Call 505-992-5086 or send an email tessa@sfpatrol.org for details. And on March 31, take part in the annual Jeff Gladfelter Memorial Bump Contest.

Taos Ski Valley has a busy schedule ahead. On Feb. 4, it hosts the Helly Hansen Big Mountain Battle, with teams of two hiking and skiing from point to point in three classes: advanced, intermediate and 12 and under. It is one of four qualifying events for the national finals at Aspen/Snowmass. The $90 entry fee includes an equal value of Helly Hansen base layer apparel.

On Feb. 25, join the K2 Bumps Challenge. This fundraiser for breast cancer programs features teams of four (of any age or sex) charging down Al's Run over and over during an allotted time span. Sign up at www.paintforpeaks.com

On March 1-3, the 8th annual Solomon Extreme Freeskiing Championship returns for the state's most prestigious winter ski competition. Some 120 top male, female and junior skiers (as well as a few snowboarders) from across the nation turn out for the $15,000 purse and world championship qualifying event. The competition — basically people flying down Taos' extreme terrain hucking off cliffs, flashing steep, rocky lines, and generally defying gravity and death — is visible from locations below, where a raucous party ensues. For details, visit www.skitaos.org/freeride.

On March 23-24, the 16th annual Ben Myers Ridge-a-Thon tests the mettle of participants with as many runs off the hike-to terrain of Highline and West Basin Ridges, and a final foray onto the summit of Kachina Peak, as they can cram into the allotted time. It is a fundraiser for the Taos Cares Foundation. Details at www.taoscf.org.

And, Taos holds probably the best closing party in the region with its annual Pond Skimming Championship, this year being held at 2:30 p.m. on April 8. See people in absurd clothing (extra points are awarded for such) tying to levitate across an 80-foot-long pond of slush.

Angel Fire is the site on Jan. 21-22 of a USASA Race, specifically slalom and giant slalom. Call 505-603-7254 for details. On Jan. 22-23, it hosts the Big Ol' Texas Weekend, with live music by headline acts, a rail jam, scavenger hunt on the mountain and other activities. And, on Feb. 11-12, the 3rd annual reincarnation of one of the wackiest events on snow in the nation returns — the Snow Shovel Races. Participants can practice on Feb. 11 and put their family's future on the line on Feb. 12.

Crested Butte also is a busy place for special events throughout the winter for visitors and its hardcore locals. Among its special happenings this year are the North American Ski Mountaineering Championships on Jan. 28-29. Organized by the International Ski Mountaineering Federation, it includes a class 5 bootpack to the summit of Mount Crested Butte — a feat rarely undertaken in snow. On Feb. 8-12, it hosts the 21st annual Extreme Freeskiing Championship. A global pioneers in this type of competition, the event has launched many pro careers. Good viewing is available for spectators.

On March 22-24, CB holds the 16th annual U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Telemark Championship, and on March 25, the annual Al Johnson Memorial Uphill/Downhill Telemark Ski Race, a popular community-oriented event. Last year some 200 people ages 10-62 participated. The resort finishes up on April 7, one day before its closing, with its annual Bump, Jump & Pond Skim Contest.

Durango Mountain Resort will hold its Snowdown Winter Festival on Feb. 1-5. Launched in 1979, it features more than 60 events, including a bed race! See www.snowdown.org for details.

Monarch Mountain is home to one of seven stops of the Colorado Ski Mountaineering Cup on Feb. 26. On March 7, it holds the 7th annual Kayaks on Snow competition, in which athletes navigate a course with berms, banks and bumps, finished off with an icy pond at the bottom. Call 888-996-7669, ext. 5050, for details. And, the resort's parking lot is site of the annual rousing Cook-Off & Tailgate Party closing out the season on March 15.

Daniel Gibson can be reached at dbgibson@newmexico.com.