Kids Programs This Winter

Kids on Fischer XC Skis

Kids on cross country skis or snowshoes? It is not only about child obesity, nature deficit disorder, and better brain function – it's about fun. What can the kids do after school or on the weekends? Have you set your plans for the school breaks this coming winter? The winter can be snowy yet mild and great for a weekly program or a family winter vacation with plenty of cross-country (XC) skiing and snowshoeing, so gather up the kids and head to the hills. There are XC ski resorts that are exceedingly kid-friendly with fun activities to enjoy on the snow. And XC skiing and snowshoeing not only delivers great times for kids, they create memories they'll have for a lifetime.

We know about the calorie-burning effectiveness of XC skiing and snowshoeing. We understand that kids should get outdoors more often. And according to Dr. Majid Fotuhi, chairman of the Neurology Institute for Brain Health and Fitness in Baltimore, studies support the idea that exercise can improve learning efficiency for kids. In short, exercise and better fitness are associated with better brain function. Here are some samples of the unique XC ski and snowshoe programming at XC ski areas this winter:

At the Weston Ski Track in MA where snowmaking guarantees programming and there are multi-week and vacation kids programs. These series offer kids aged 6-10 three-day versions during school vacations in 1-hour sessions (Tues-Thur) featuring fun and games on skis. The 5-week series builds beginner and intermediate skills has five 1-hour sessions on the same day each week. There is also a Kinder 3-Week series with 45-minute sessions for kids aged 4-6.

Great Glen Outdoor Trails Center in Gorham, NH has the Bill Koch League for kids in grades 1-8 for fun, friends, and learning/improving XC ski skills. The Trail Tracker program is free everyday scavenger hunt at Great Glen, which is a big hit for kids to track down cartoon animals out on the trails. When they find the animated creatures, they stamp a card and upon return to the lodge they get a treat.

Jackson XC nestled in the Jackson Village in the NH's White Mountains has the Toddlers & Tots program for parents to experience the trails on the snow with their young children. Tuesdays, non-holiday, JacksonXC offers free tickets and rentals, including pulks and tot skis, to skiers (up to two adults) who bring a child or children under the age of 5. Use of equipment is based on availability. This is a good time to meet other families with children of similar age. You may arrive at any time for T&T however pulks are available for either morning or afternoon sessions (not all day, on T&T), and rental equipment for T&T must be returned by 3:30 PM (don’t send T&T rentals out after 2 PM) Call to reserve a pulk: 603-383-9355. Be sure to speak with a person. Check JXC for other youth-oriented programs. Check out the Riverbank Loop off the Ellis River Trail for a trailside story book and terminate at the Cocoa Cabin.

Kids in the Reindeer Rally at Lapland Lake Vacation Center in NY

Lapland Lake in Northville, NY has the Reindeer Rally season-long program for kids supervised by skilled, kid-friendly, incredibly entertaining PSIA-certified instructors. The program, which is for kids aged 5 – 11 runs 90 minutes on weekends and holiday weeks. The "on-ski" games include Toilet Bowl Tag, Limbo, Spider (flag tag), Soccer on Snow, Relay Slalom, Caterpillar Relay, Sharks & Minnows, Scavenger Hunt, Elephant Hunt & more!

Smuggler's Notch Resort in VT is known for family programming. The one and a half hour XC ski lesson for kids happens in a special terrain park that has snowy roller bumps and other features for kids to learn balance and increase confidence while having fun on skis. Snowshoe programs at Smuggler's include the Cider Walk and the Sugar on Snow Trek.

A number of states conduct statewide programs to encourage kids to get outdoors in the winter. The Ski New Hampshire "4th and 5th Grade Passport" offers trail passes for one visit at the state's XC ski resorts. The Michigan Snowsports Industries has the "Cold is Cool Passport," which requires that an adult paying full price must accompany the kids 4th or 5th graders and there is a cost associated with the passport for XC skiing. SkiVermont has a 5th grader program and the WinterKids organization in Maine also has a variety of programs for thousands of kids each winter.

Junior Muffin races at Cross Country Ski Headquarters in MI

At Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI the Junior Muffin Races are held in March for kids in three age groups (6 and under, 7-9, and 10-12) with free registration, trophies for all participants, and lunch included. The short race distances are age appropriate for each group.

Breckenridge Nordic Center has free ski trail access to kids under 13 years old. The Frisco Nordic Center has an after school program called Little Vikings for kids aged 5-12 with a choice of two four-week sessions with transportation pick up at the Frisco Elementary School.

Methow Trails in Winthrop, WA has three StorySki trails that feature 1 km loops with illustrated story book pages on large panels displayed along select trails for kids to read as they ski or snowshoe. There are also two interactive “Wildside” signs for older kids along the trails. And there are no trail fees for kids under the age of 17!

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Center in Truckee, CA has three kids programs between January and February for different age groups. A multi-week program is for kindergarten-grade 5.  Third to fifth graders have a Junior Racer program while second to seventh graders can learn how to race and shoot a rifle in the Junior Biathlon program.

These winter programs feature ways for kids to learn balance and increase confidence while having fun on skis or snowshoes. And they're committed to helping kids develop lifelong habits of health, education, and physical fitness through participation in outdoor winter activities…and as the kids can attest they are also just plain fun. Photos: Fischer Ski, Lapland Lake Vacation Center, Cross Country Ski HQ, and Smugglers Notch.