Cerca Calendar: January 2013

Bundle up for winter in Cerca country with outdoor activities such as skiing and snowshoeing and indoor events such as the National Cowboy Gathering in Elko.

Monday, Brian Head, Utah: Fireworks and Torchlight Parade. This New Year's celebration features skiers making their way down the slopes carrying a torchlight followed by a fireworks display and party. Brian Head Resort. 435-677-2035.
www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

Through Tuesday, Prescott, Ariz.: World's Largest Gingerbread Village. More than 100 locally constructed gingerbread houses are displayed in the lobby of the Prescott Resort. 928-776-1666. www.prescottresort.com.

Through Saturday, Williams, Ariz.: The Polar Express. Listen to the children's classic "The Polar Express" while taking a magical journey to the North Pole, where Santa and his reindeer will greet passengers. Reservations needed. 800-848-3511. www.thetrain.com.

Thursday through Jan. 14, Palm Springs, Calif.: 24th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. This is one of the largest film festivals in the country with more than 200 films from 70 countries. 800-898-7256. www.psfilmfest.org.

Saturdays through February: Cedar Breaks National Park, Utah: Ranger-led Snowshoe Walks. Join a park ranger for an outing to the Winter Ranger Station Yurt. Learn about the winter ecology of the park. Meets at various locations in Brian Head. Reservations required. Snowshoes provided. Depends on weather conditions. 435-586-9451. www.nps.gov/cebr/.

Jan. 12, Lake Tahoe: Winter Trails Day. This family-friendly event offers a free guided snowshoe hike to the Tahoe Meadows Overlook. Learn about trail safety and the environment along the way. 530-542-4637. www.wintertrails.org.

Jan. 18-20, Lake Havasu, Ariz.: Buses by the Bridge: the London Bridge Bullis Vintage Volkswagen Show and Campout. Slow drag races, drawings, free tacos and children's activities. Windsor Beach State Park. 928-208-6566. www.busesbythebridge.com.

Jan. 18-21, Lake Havasu, Ariz.: Third annual Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair, featuring about 70 hot-air balloons with tethered and nontethered rides, night glows. 877-505-2440. www.havasuballoonfest.com.

Jan. 19, St. George, Utah: St. George Half Marathon & 5k Run. The course this year takes racers along paved trails and subdivisions of the city. Both courses start and finish at the Dixie Center. 435-627-4560. www.utahstgeorge.com.

Jan. 19-20, Ely: White Pine Fire and Ice Show. Snow and ice sculptures are created by locals and visitors at Cave Lake State Park. Fireworks show Jan. 20. Cash prizes. 800-496-9350. www.parks.nv.gov.

Jan. 24-26, St. George, Utah: Tenth annual Winter Bird Festival. Take part in field trips, workshops, live displays and presentations. Red Cliffs Audubon Society. 435-673-0996. www.redcliffsaudubon.org.

Jan. 26, Reno: Chinese New Year Festival. Snake your way down the slopes of Mount Rose ski resort in celebration of the Year of the Snake. Numerous activities and events, including a skiing dragon parade. 775-849-0704. www.skirose.com.

Jan. 28 through Feb. 2, Elko: 29th annual National Cowboy Gathering. A weeklong celebration of Western life featuring traditional and contemporary arts. Western Folklife Center. 775-738-7508. www.westernfolklife.org.