The freestyle ski members of the Western Pennsylvania Race Club didn't win any of the mogul or slopestyle events at the Eastern Finals last weekend at Bristol Mountain, N.Y., but they placed three members in the top 10.

"No other mountain in the East had that many," said freestyle coach Chris Huffman, referring to Seven Springs Mountain Resort where the team trains.

"From a coaches perspective, it was a wonderful experience.

"We had many of the New England teams' coaches asking me where Seven Springs actually was. I think we're on the freestyle map now."

Ben Schenk, 16, from Scottdale was fourth in the boys division. Gunnar Huffman, 14, of Moon, and son of the coach, was fifth.

Dave Wagner, 16, of Monroeville was seventh.

Alicia English, 13, of Upper St. Clair, was sixth in the girls division.

Logan McKee, 16, of Mount Lebanon was 17th in the slopestyle event followed by Dave Wagner in 27th place.

Congratulations to all.

Sweet repeat

Shane Curran, 18, of Belle Vernon and up to three family members will be skiing and/or snowboarding for free at Hidden Valley during the 2008-09 season.

His name was drawn out of the "Snow Sweet Snow Sweepstakes" box March 8 for a Family Season Pass during the resort's Spring Carnival.

The prize is valued at $1,056.

The next day, his mother, Diane Curran, won two season passes. Those passes are valued at $598.

So in two days, the Currans won prizes valued at a combined $1,654.

Christopher Griffin and Mario Lagroso were the top finishers in the Wild Moose Challenge, which is open to children aged 10 and under.

Matt Claus won the age 11 to 16 category.

Brendan O'Mahony was the top boarder cross event for ages 15 and up, and Michael Siciliano won the skier cross event in the same category.

Eric Terry took first place in the Slope Sytle/Terrain Box Competition for males 15 and older.

Christina Myal won the women's category.

Justin "Potatoes" Petricko won the boys 14 and under group.

Each received a new Omatic snowboard.

The resort said those who buy passes now for next season can use them for the remainder of this season.

The resort plans to be re-open March 29-30 and April 5-6. And the price of lift tickets for adults and children is only $15.

For more information, go to www.myhiddenvalleyresort.com or call 1-814-443-8000.

The Boyce Park double chairlift, which was completely refurbished last year when the slopes were closed as part of a $1.1 million project, broke down earlier this month -- and stayed down.

Kevin Evanto, spokesman for county Chief Executive Dan Onorato, said the county will withhold a final payment to the Doppelmayr company until the chair is repaired.

Unfortunately, it will be too late for this season.

The slopes, which didn't open until Jan. 26 because of rain and temperatures that weren't cold enough to make snow, closed last

Hidden Valley and Seven Springs plan to rest their slopes and trails next week. They plan to then re-open for the weekend and perhaps the following weekend -- if, of course, the unpredictable weather cooperates.

Hidden Valley is charging only $15 for lift tickets.

They are doing so to bolster efforts to attract skiers and snowboarders who haven't yet sampled their well-covered and well-groomed terrain.

Seven Springs will host the Sixth Annual Pond Skim and Meltdown Party outside the Foggy Goggle Lounge at noon on Saturday.

Skimmers are encouraged to wear "tastefully designed" costumes as they try to skim across two ponds.

All participants in the pond skim event must be 14 or older.

The $25 registration fee includes two attempts to remain upright over the chilly ponds, a free T-shirt and a chance to win a 2008-2009 season pass.

Music will be provided by DJ Ron from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and by DJ Donn from 5-9 p.m..

For more information, go to www.7springs.com or call 1-800-452-2223.