Ski industry's challenge aims to draw beginners

 DENVER (AP) -- The organizers of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month are expanding
 an initiative designed to get more beginners to the mountains.
   The "Bring a Friend Challenge" is offering skiers and snowboarders a chance
to win gear or ski trips if they get friends who have never gone skiing or riding
 to enroll in a lesson with a professional instructor between Dec. 17 and March
17. People can register online.
   Weekly prize drawings are scheduled to begin in January.
   Industry groups including SnowSports Industries America and the National Ski
Areas Association are supporting the initiative.
   The industry is trying to keep interest in skiing up -- and their revenues healthy
as video games, the Internet and other forms of entertainment compete for
people's free time and money.
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   AP-WF-10-05-12 0642GMT