Last year's rain and warm temperatures washed out the annual Winter Trails Day showcase at Weston Ski Track, but the on-snow show that introduces cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to novices will go on.
"We have a tremendous base of natural and man-made snow," said Weston manager Mark Jacobson. "Unless it is pouring rain, we will have the event."
More than 20 cross-country ski and snowshoe centers across New England are taking part in the national Winter Trails Day Saturday, designed to get newbies hooked on snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with free lessons, tours, and gear demonstrations.
In its 13th year, Winter Trails Day is organized by the manufacturer's group SnowSports Industries America through a partnership with the
According to figures supplied by SIA, 2.5 million people participated in cross-country skiing in 2006, the highest number since 2000. There were no recent numbers for snowshoers, but some 1.4 million were logged in both 2003 and '04. Alpine skiers and snowshoers easily more than double their Nordic brethren, tallying nearly 6.4 million downhillers and 5.2 million riders in 2006.
Cross-country skiers are almost evenly split between male and female participants, while men slightly edge women in the number of snowshoers. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers also tend to be older, and be more active after age 55 than downhill skiers and snowboarders.
Families are the prime targets for Winter Trails Day. Jacobson says he has seen families come for the event, and then return the day after as paying customers. Two years ago, more than 600 people turned out for the activities.
Given the snowy December and pent-up demand from last season's tepid environment, organizers are bracing for a good weather-dependent turnout.
"People come out for the beginner lesson," Jacobson said. "If they're snowshoeing, they see people cross-country skiing, and if they are skiing they see snowshoeing. When the kids have fun, they kind of drag their parents back."
At Weston, preregistration is required for the 75-minute ski lessons. Participants must pay for a trail pass and rentals. There are free snowshoe lessons and tours. Novices can learn either classical technique by skiing in groomed tracks or skating on wider lanes. Manufacturers will be on hand with gear, advice, and samples.
Winter Trails is also a chance for seasoned snowsports enthusiasts to try something new or demo equipment.
"Many enthusiasts who are used to sliding on snow are curious about fitness and how snowshoeing can be used for cross-training," said Tubbs Snowshoe general manager Kathy Murphy of Stowe, Vt. "Then there are people who want to learn how to use snowshoes to access backcountry snowboarding."
The day is also a chance to educate the consumer. "A lot of people are surprised how warm they get while cross-country skiing," he said. "We advise them to dress in layers. We also talk to them about how to decide which snowshoes and skis are appropriate for them."
Organizers say it's best to call ahead or go online to make reservations for the lessons and tours.
In the Berkshires, the new cross-country ski and snowshoe center at Hilltop Orchards in Richmond and Notchview Reservation in Windsor are taking part. Rutland's Treasure Valley Boy Scout Reservation is also a spot to try. Connecticut centers involved include Danbury's Tarrywile Park and Winding Trails Cross Country Center in Farmington.
Carter's Ski Center in Oxford, Newry's Sunday River XC Center and New Gloucester's Pineland Farms are Maine participants. Vermont areas include Greensboro's Highland Lodge Nordic Center, Ole's in Waitsfield, Huntington's Sleepy Hollow Inn, the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Mad River Glen, and the Woodstock Ski Touring Center. New Hampshire's White Mountains and beyond are also taking part. Great Glen, Jackson Ski Touring, King Pine, Bretton Woods, The Balsams, and Mountain View Grand in Whitefield are all involved.
"We attract a lot of new folks to the sports of skiing and snowboarding, so we figured we would offer them the opportunities to try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, too," said King Pine's marketing director Dan Houde in East Madison, N.H.
