Skiing Santas ho-ho-hold court at ski resort's annual bash

NEWRY, Maine (AP) - Santa Claus is known for scooting down chimneys, but for one day a year, dozens of Santas hope to avoid tumbling down a mountain.

That day is Sunday, when the 18th annual Santa Sunday event at Sunday River ski resort is scheduled to take place in western Maine. The event is highlighted by 250 Santas skiing and snowboarding down the slopes to raise money for the Sunday River Community Fund, which benefits communities in the area.

One of the Santas will be Yelena Walsh of Boston, a 50-year-old financial analyst who was once a professional skier in Russia. Walsh said the event is the highlight of her holiday season.

"In Russia, we didn't celebrate Christmas. We celebrated New Year," she said. "This is a very good and very festive way to start the ski season. It's an opportunity to dress up and act like a child."

The skiing Santas participate in full Kringle garb, including, of course, a white beard and red hat. The Santas must all donate a minimum of $15.

Online registration to participate as a skiing Santa filled up in 10 minutes, said Darcy Lambert, a spokeswoman for Sunday River.

The event has grown in popularity over the years. It initially did not sell out but has filled up all 250 spots as fast as 2ˆ½ minutes more recently, Lambert said.

The event is taking place in the tiny western Maine town of Newry, about 80 miles northwest of Portland.