We're not talking lopsided snowmen here, folks.
Well, that little spring-tease was fun...but it's over now. Like it or not, we've still got another month or two of full-on winter, so you might as well make the best of it. Start with this weekend's Snow Days Chicago, a first-year fest that aims to show there's more to do with the white stuff than ski on it. There's not likely to be a whole lot of actual snow throughout the five-day event (which kicks off in about an hour), but the organizers will have the machines pumping out flakes as needed. A lot will be necessary for the full schedule of activities, including:

• A snow-sculpting competition featuring teams of professionals from around the country. Proposed sketches include a bust of Einstein and an anatomical Valentine heart.
• The Snowboard Rail Jam, with snowboarding demonstrations from 6-8 p.m. daily, plus a competition on Saturday night, beginning at 6 p.m.
• The Activities Igloo, where kids can learn all about important cultural events like Presidents' Day, Abe Lincoln's birthday and African-American History Month through storytelling and arts and crafts.

Snow Days Chicago runs from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 12 through Sunday, February 15 and from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday, February 16 in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park (Balbo and Michigan). Get the complete list of scheduled activities and photos of snow sculptures at www.explorechicago.org.