Fun Freetime: Winter Trails Day

18th Annual Winter Trails Day on Saturday, January 12, 2013 is an introductory day of FREE snowshoeing and cross country skiing celebrated across the country. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are both easy to learn and fun for all ages -- perfect for families and groups and a great way to get exercise in the winter months. Winter Trails provides the experts and equipment to help anyone get started. Winter Trails Day locations and details are available at: Wintertrails.org. Minnesota locations include Fort Snelling State Park.
 

Winter Trails is organized by SnowSports Industries America (SIA), the national non-profit member-owned trade association that represents suppliers of consumer snow sports products with constituents in the retail, rep and resort communities. Winter Trails is also supported by the Cross Country Ski Areas Association, American Hiking Society and sponsoring snow sports companies.

Some events are scheduled on alternate dates in January including Estes Park, Colorado on January 19, 2013. Regional information available at Wintertrails.org.

Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are two excellent winter outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by individuals, groups of friends and family members. Affordable, easy to learn, both snowshoeing and cross country skiing provide moderate to vigorous exercise, depending on an individual’s effort.

Both activities pack a calorie burning punch – for instance, a 130 pound adult can burn up to 475 calories per hour with a moderate snowshoe pace or approximately 415 calories per hour with a moderate cross country pace. A youth weighing 70 pounds can burn more than 240 calories per hour snowshoeing at a moderate pace and 200+ calories per hour cross country skiing moderately. With obesity rates in the U.S. at an all time high, Winter Trails can introduce active and not-so-active children and adults to a lifelong winter sport. In 2011, more than 11,250 people participated in Winter Trails events nation-wide.

Sponsors: Atlas Snowshoes, Cross Country Skier Magazine, Fischer Skis, Madshus Skis, Mountain Safety Research (MSR), Rossignol, SkiTrax, Snowshoe Magazine, Swix, Tubbs, Whitewoods and XC Ski Resorts