Snow Celebration
Lasts Two Days

Enjoying one last hurrah before school began Wednesday, James Goldswrthy and his sister Claire, 9 and 13, take turns sliding down a short hill on South Pleasant Street in Randolph Tuesday afternoon. (Herald / Tim Calabro)

It wasn't until after Christmas, but the White River Valley finally did get its own mantle of white in time for a couple of great days of outdoor recreation at the very end of 2006.

A snowfall of about six inches of perfect powdery snow brought out the snowmobiles, skiers and snowshoers and breathed some hope into Vermont's important ski industry.

The delight was short-lived, however, as the night of Dec. 31—just as some people were driving back from New Years Eve celebrations, freezing rain began to fall at a temperature in the mid-20s. By New Years Day morning a layer of ice covered most everything—fields, roads, and sidewalks.

Warm temperatures through the week got rid of most of the ice, but snow is still a badly needed commodity.