MAZAMA, Wash. - If you can't make it to Vancouver, B.C., or would rather participate in winter sports than watch them on TV, the Methow Valley is the place to be, beginning this weekend. Some Olympic athletes use this part of north central Washington to do their winter training.

Jay Lucas, executive director of the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association, says starting this weekend, the group has organized two weeks of outdoor events for anyone who wants to challenge themselves by competing, or simply to have winter fun with their kids, pets and friends.

"We have some biathlon events; we have ice skating events, figure skating, hockey - and we are just timing a lot of our events to the same day that the actual Olympics are having those events. That's why this Olympic Festival is spread out over the same time period as the actual Olympics."

Many of the events involve Nordic skiing on the area's world-class trails. Jennifer Stephens, communications director for The Wilderness Society, says it is the second-largest Nordic trail system in the nation, at more than 120 miles.

"The trail system in the Methow Valley offers a great way to connect both the communities and the people to the wilderness areas in the North Cascades."

The actual Olympic events will be broadcast on a giant screen near the ice skating rink in Winthrop, as well as in local businesses. Events begin today, and run through the end of February. A full list of events is at www.mvsta.com/winter.