Winter trip to the Woodstock Inn & Resort and the Woodstock Nordic Center
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Romantic getaways for cross country skiers
Catamount Trail for cross country skiing the length of Vermont. The Catamount Trail Association was started by Steve Bushey, Paul Jarris and Ben Rose in 1984.
Nordic skiing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
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.
Statistical trends for cross country skiing in the United States including population, age, gender, education, income etc. of cross country skiers
Snow farming saves the cross country skiing at Woodstock Nordic Center
Cross country ski getaways for women
Skiing on the trails of Breckenridge Nordic Center
You got the new cross country (XC) ski gear as a gift during the holidays or maybe you’re contemplating using XC skiing as a way to ward off gaining winter weight…how do you have a positive experience on your first few outings?
Here are some of the best secrets of XC skiing – insider tips from XCSkiResorts.com that can make a difference on whether you enjoy XC skiing or after trying it, you leave the gear in the garage until it becomes sidewalk sale fodder.
Where to go XC skiing? Avoid making your own tracks on a local golf course or unmaintained trail. At least the first few outings it is recommended that you go to a XC ski area or resort where they use machines to make the snow consistently skiable (Google cross country skiing near me). Take advantage of their tenderized trails instead of trying to deal with varied conditions in your back yard.
On your first few outings take a couple of lessons with different instructors. They’ll show you the ropes.
In the tracks in the Sun Valley, Idaho region
On your initial outings, ski on flat terrain and avoid significant uphill or downhill trails, if possible.
Don’t overdress. You’ll generate heat when XC skiing. Avoid cotton t-shirts and alpine ski wear – rather, wear a top and bottom base layer (long underwear), medium weight socks that will keep you warm if they get wet, light overpants and a turtleneck shirt. Wear a light weight jacket preferably with pockets and if it is cold, add a sweater. Find light gloves (more than a liner glove, perhaps with leather palms) rather than getting very wet hands from wearing alpine ski gloves. Consider bringing a second pair of light gloves. You can always add or remove layers, if you have them with you. A light hat is important, and bring a neck gaiter if it is a cold or windy day. If you are with a few people, make sure someone has some water to drink.
The final tips – don’t ski too far or for too long a time. If XC skiing is new for you it means that you’ll be using new muscles and body parts, and the techniques will also be new to you. Finally, stop and acknowledge nature and take some photos while you are out on the trails and have a great time!
When it comes to cross country (XC) skiing, the theory of what goes up must come down may be going out of style. Nowadays many people really enjoy the fun of just going downhill on XC skis, but they'd prefer avoiding the need to laboriously trudge uphill to earn that fun. Yeah, the skis have waxless bases that allow you to ski uphill without totally killing yourself, but it's so much easier with the onset of "lift or shuttle-served" XC skiing.
Simply put, lift or shuttle-served XC skiing allows the fun of the downhill with the use of a ski area lift or a shuttle ride so there's no need to "pay the price" of going miles uphill on skis. Of course, there are those who believe that one must earn such fun, but "no pain, no gain" may be a view that's, well a bit fuddyduddy.
At Bretton Woods in New Hampshire's White Mountains there is a $31 High Country lift ticket that gets an XC skier up near the summit to the Mountain Road by way of a chair lift, for a 7 kilometer (km) ski back down. The trail is easy enough and skiers can ski in the groomed tracks or on the flat skate lane, where they can make turns or snowplow.
The Bretton Woods lift ticket provides one ride on the high speed detachable quad (which slows down upon egress) and unlimited use of a T-bar, which is a few kilometers down the trail. The T-bar provides access to upper elevations of Mount Stickney and the Stickney Cabin, which has snacks, beverages and a place to hang out with indoor seating or outside by a stone fireplace. Skiing back to the Mountain Road offers some choices including a groomed trail or skiing through the glades (trees) with options for different levels of difficulty. The Mountain Road is one of the most fun trails to be had on XC skis in New England!
In the northwest at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort there is a lift-served XC ski trail called the Summit Trail that is accessed near the top of Chewelah Peak. It descends and winds around the mountain for 12 km. On a clear day one can see all the way to Montana from the trail and many animal tracks or an occasional moose might be seen. It is a 2,000 foot decline in elevation but not all downhill though.
Other XC ski trails that are accessed by chair lifts can be found at Giants Ridge in MN with a free lift ride when you purchase a trail pass to access the 6 km Bronze Trail, the 6 km Summit Trail, or the 14 km Gold Trail. Boyne Mountain in MI has the Cold Springs Downhill trail. Royal Gorge in the Tahoe, CA area has two surface ski lifts for practicing downhill turns and also having accelerated fun.
Shuttles
At Garnet Hill Lodge, in North River, NY there's a shuttle ride from the bottom of a long downhill back to the lodge that has been offered since the early eighties. It originated when the lodge owner picked up skiers in his car and was then upgraded to a van and now it's a mini-bus. The shuttle is a free service for the skiers at Garnet Hill Lodge. Skiers must sign up for the shuttle and there are many routes that skiers can take using intermediate rated trails to reach the two pick-up locations that have a 500 foot and 900 foot vertical drop, respectively. Shuttles are offered daily and 3-5 times a day on weekends and holidays. During the week and on slow times, the shuttle is offered on demand.
The Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Gorham, NH is adjacent to the Mt. Washington Auto Road and offers an uphill ride to achieve "treeline status" in the SnowCoach, which is a tracked van. The comfortable heated tour takes folks to the 4,000 foot elevation up Mount Washington where the views are breathtaking. Intermediate and advanced skiers can handle skiing down this road as a thrilling four mile decent back to the base lodge. There are various price options for the SnowCoach.
Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont has a free shuttle on the weekends that delivers skiers to the Highland Lodge for a 20 km return trek. There's a net drop of about 300 meters on the groomed trail, which traverses hill top pastures, farmsteads, and quaint Vermont villages. A shorter 5 km shuttled ride brings skiers back to the lodge from Craftsbury Village at the general store and deli.
At Methow Trails in Winthrop, WA the Saturday Ski Shuttle offers FREE transportation in January and February between Winthrop and Mazama for those looking for a one-way ski journey along the Methow Community Trail. A valid ski trail pass is required.
At Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT there is the Upper Trail Shuttle (available a few times per week) that takes you a couple of miles away from the facility and leaves you with a mostly downhill ski back to the lodge for about 10 km.
One might wonder that if the downhill ski run is the objective, why not simply go alpine skiing? The trails above are cross country ski experiences. They all require kick and glide techniques across some flat terrain and they do not have the consistent and necessary steepness for alpine skiing. As lift and shuttle services become more popular, they'll be available at more ski areas but until that happens, you'll have to seek out areas that offer this service if you want this level of fun on XC skis.
Ask the general public to name an alpine skiing “Mecca” — described as a location where people, who share a common interest, yearn to go — even those who don’t ski can come up with at least Aspen or Vail, if not Killington and Sun Valley. But mention the Gunflint Trail or the Methow Valley to cross country (xc) skiers and more often than not, you’ll elicit a blank stare. Yet these are just two of several xc skiing destination resorts that devout xc skiers revere. In fact, each of the following five regions is definitely an “xc skiing Mecca” — each one, a destination that all traveling xc skiers have put on their “must visit” list.
Comprising the small, picturesque towns of Conway, Sugar Hill, Bartlett and Jackson in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Mount Washington Valley has a half-dozen xc ski areas, all at the base of the most majestic mountain in the eastern U.S., the 6,288-foot Mt. Washington. Here, the spectacular scenery is enhanced by hundreds of inns, lodges and restaurants, plus unsurpassed outlet shopping. Ski past mountain streams, a white steepled church, or over a wooden covered bridge on the network of 150 kilometers (km) of trails that glide past numerous inns and stores and through the woods in Jackson Village.
Up in Pinkham Notch, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center features 40 km of trails for cross country or snowshoeing and the more adventurous can take a snowcoach up the Mt. Washington Toll Road to unparalleled views and then make the choice to ski, snowshoe or ride the coach down. On the other side of Mt. Washington, Bretton Woods Nordic Center has its Mountain Road Trail, a 7-km downhill thrill that might be the most fun to be had on xc skis in all of New England. Franconia Inn is tucked away but is known for great cuisine in the evening and more than 50 km of trails. The region also has dog sledding, snowmobiling, zip lines, and 7 alpine ski areas to round out the snow sports offerings.
The Hills are Alive
The “Sound of Music” is more than 50 years old and another production by the Von Trapp family, America’s first xc ski center at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont is just two years younger. Nestled beside Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, the lodge is among the most famous and diverse xc ski trail networks in the country. Three Stowe xc ski areas interconnect to provide roughly 150 kilometers of groomed trails, and there’s a link to backcountry ski 14 km to Bolton Valley Nordic Center via the Catamount Trail. Plus, with the variety of trails for snowshoeing around Stowe, it’s no surprise that the quintessential New England village is the original home of Tubbs Snowshoes, the largest snowshoe manufacturer in the world. Stowe's Recreation Path, which runs 5.3 miles along the river (and over 11 wooden bridges) and Route 108 is perfect for an easy snowshoe jaunt. Don't miss the Vermont Ski Museum in downtown Stowe or the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream headquarters (most popular attraction in the state) in nearby Waterbury, Vt.
Scandinavians settled by the thousands in Minnesota so it stands to reason that their national sport, cross country skiing, would abound in the state. The trails in northeastern Minnesota near Grand Marais offers more than 200 kilometers of groomed trails in the Laurentian Highlands adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Here, xc skiers enjoy moose yards, overlook ridges, old trapper trails and railroad beds. The Gunflint attractions include extensive stands of white birch, spruce, and aspen and spectacular cliffs.
Of course, in the land of 10,000 lakes there’s a multitude of frozen lakes and there is also a great chance that visitors in northern Minnesota will see the oscillating luminary curtains in the evening sky known as the Northern Lights. Perfect for those wanting to get away from it all, this area is less populated than other xc Meccas and the region is sprinkled with many isolated lodges, bed and breakfast inns, lakefront cabins, and yurts (large circular heated tents with hard floors, bunk beds and room for 6-8 people). And count on hearing the distant howls of timber wolves.
Northwestern delights
More than 70 years as a winter sports destination, the Sun Valley/Ketchum, Idaho, area was developed by railroad mogul, W. Averell Harriman to attract train travelers. Known for its alpine skiing, the area features more than 160 kilometers of trails and now it touts itself as "Nordic Town USA." The Sun Valley Resort includes the Sun Valley alpine ski area, a Nordic ski area on the golf course, and a selection of accommodations. The North Valley Trails run from the Galena Lodge back to town and Sun Valley along the river. Expect to see colorful performance striders and skaters alongside snowshoers out walking the dog on this popular avenue.
For superb backcountry skiing amidst forests of pine and aspen, head to the Sawtooth Mountains and its high mountain reaches laced with granite spires and inviting cirques. Here xc skiers can enjoy trekking and guide services, even overnight accommodations in backcountry huts and Mongolian-style yurts.
The Methow Valley in northwest Washington on the eastern slope of the North Cascade Mountains is one of the best kept secrets among xc skiers. A network of 200 kilometers of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing combines at Methow Trails with lodges like Sun Mountain Lodge and warming huts along the trails, which are surrounded by more than a million acres of national wilderness and forest lands.
Snowfall here is not only plentiful, it is also dry thanks to the moisture traveling across 100 miles of mountains from the Pacific Ocean to get to Methow. And after the snow arrives, a crystal blue sky almost always follows revealing the incredible scenic mountain panoramas. Located only 2,000 feet above sea level, this 40-mile-long xc skiing valley requires no altitude acclimation.
Many other North American regions could make the list of xc skiing Meccas, including Michigan's Grayling region and the statewide GoMichigan, California’s Lake Tahoe, Colorado, Lake Placid in New York, and Canada's Quebec and British Columbia areas. Start your own list of “must visit” xc ski destinations, and use XCSkiResorts.com to explore the many choices and then make some reservations to explore different regions in your next winter adventure.
Want a guilt-free way to indulge yourself with food while exercising? Cross country (XC) skiing and snowshoeing are some of the best forms of aerobic exercise, but if you go on a "Gourmet Ski Tour" on your XC skis or snowshoes, you may very well eat your way to fitness at a number of trailside food stops. What a grand time so go ahead, eat, ski, and be merry - appetizers, wine, champagne, fondue, entrees, desserts, and more. Check with ski area websites for specifics on the following programs.
Check with the websites for specifics on the following programs. Here's a cross section of the culinary XC ski events that are planned this winter across the country with a varied menu of fun and fine cuisine.
EAST
Smugglers Notch in VT has the Snowshoe Adventure Dinner at the mountain summit on Tuesdays. The Maple Experience is on Tuesdays on a tour to learn about maple sugaring and get to take home a sample and the Sugar on the Snow snowshoe tour is on Wednesdays. The Hot Chocolate Warm Up is daily at 3:30 PM with a bonfire.
The Chocolate Festival at Mt. Washington Valley Ski & Snowshoe Center in Intervale, NH in late February is an inn-to-inn affair at about 12 stops to experience your chocolate fantasies including moose and fondue. Go on a tour of any length and actually gain calories, even if you ski as far as 20 kilometers. A shuttle is also available for those that have overindulged at the event dubbed the "Sweetest Day on the Trails."
CENTRAL
Treetops Resort in Gaylord, MI has the Skiable Feast Getaway Package that features a winter gourmet adventure with 5 buffet food stations along 6 km of trails. It is offered at 8 AM - 2 PM on 7 dates on Saturdays during January-March. Also the Wilderness Sleigh Ride Dinner is on Saturdays at 5-9:30 PM on a tour to the cabin for a culinary adventure.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI has the "Around the World Wine & Ski Tour" is a new event with XC skiing, and Ribs & Blues food music event, and the Gourmet Chili Bard. Look for the Fill at the Grill and Fire on the Mountain food events.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Ironwood features cuisine from local restaurants that can be purchased at a nominal fee for a food court with local restaurants at the Taste of the Trails on the ABR trails in March.
MOUNTAINS
Just Desserts at Enchanted Forest XC Center
Just Desserts Eat & Ski in the Enchanted Forest in Red River, NM in late February features goodies from 20 different local restaurants at three trailside stations with up to 100 desserts within a 4 kilometer loop. Their motto is, “It’s not a race, just a gorge fest.” Look to the Enchanted website to see if this program will be available this year.
Look to the Galena Lodge in Ketchum, ID for the Full Moon Dinners on nights with the full moon, whereby you can go ski or snowshoe ($5 snowshoe rental offered) and then return to lodge for a 4-course dinner. There are also special Wine Dinners, Holiday Dinners, and Valentine's Day Dinner scheduled from mid-December to mid-March.
At Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa in Tabernash, CO, is known for its cuisine in the lodge’s Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon recipient of the 2021 Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence and 2020 OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award for Best Special Occasion Restaurant; and Heck’s Tavern (causal American fare for overnight lodging guests).
The Rendezvous Trails in West Yellowstone, MT features cuisine that is homemade and from local restaurants that can be found along a designated route on the trails at the Taste of the Trails in February. Pay in advance at West Yellowstone retailer Free Heel & Wheel.
Frisco Nordic Center in CO has the Ski, Eat and Be Merry event in February with a progressive dinner along the trails featuring food, drink, 3 bonfires and luminaries on a 2 km loop.
WEST
Bear Valley Adventures in CA hosts the Wine Tasting in the Meadow in late November to sample local wineries with appetizers.
Tahoe XC in Tahoe City, CA has the Fish Taco Night is a fundraiser in January at the Sunnyside Restaurant & Bar in Tahoe City.
Cypress Mountain outside of Vancouver, BC has Fondue Dinner Snowshoe Tour, S’Mores Tour, and Cheese & Chocolate Fondue Tour all scheduled with a snowshoe trek to the Hollyburn Lodge Building to start in January. These programs include rental equipment, trail access, and guides/instructors.
Snow, the song from the movie White Christman
Sit ski and cross country ski camp for Veterans
More doctors may be prescribing outdoor recreational therapy instead of Xanax if the proposed Federal legislation entitled the Outdoor Recreation Therapy for Veterans Act (HR 2435) passes. Studies are showing evidence that outdoor recreational activities can be therapeutic. I met Veterans Ray Gilmore and David Binford recently at a ski industry meeting and they were engaging anyone who would talk with them about the Azimuth Check Foundation, which provides injured veterans and first responders challenging year-round athletic activities to create wellness in an atmosphere of camaraderie.
“Whether these Vets have seen or unseen injuries, they can find peace in the outdoors.” They feel that participation in activities such as alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, fishing, cycling, saltwater and freshwater fishing, indoor rock climbing, wood carving and art, aquatics, golf, water skiing, stand up paddleboarding, archery, and even bowling will build self-esteem and accomplishment.
Azimuth Check Foundation recreational climbing outing
There are some Veterans and first responders who have experienced visual impairments, amputations and other physical and mental challenges who have discovered organizations that orchestrate recreational activities, which can positively impact their independence, well-being, and whole health through adaptive recreation therapeutic programs. Azimuth partners with other organizations such as the Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training, Adaptive Sports of the North Country, Ability Plus Adaptive Sports, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, and Northeast Passage.
Health is more than the absence of physical disease or disability, but rather includes important aspects of physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. These Vets and first responders talk about their experience with disability and recognize that changes in health status and mobility can pose significant challenges and adjustments for individuals, as well as within families and friendships.
Misha Pemble-Belkin of Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports’ Veterans Ventures program commented, “I’ve taken anti-depressants and done talk therapy but nothing I tried has worked - it was like my brain was still at war.” Different than working with healthcare providers in an office setting, this real world/real time approach to creating solutions for active and engaged living takes the guess work out of what happens when you go home or are discharged from care. The program employs certified and licensed recreation therapist practitioners with a strong history of working with individuals across the disability spectrum including individuals with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and behavioral health needs.
Recreational archery program
While the work they will do together is built around having fun, it is also a therapeutic modality grounded in World Health Organization’s international classification of functioning (ICF) and is at the forefront of healthcare trends that emphasize prevention strategies and support a person to develop functional skills for active living and community access as part of personal health management.
Gilmore talked about difficulty “shutting the motor off whereby the adrenaline remains and has become toxic.” The recreational activities help to create new memories and meaningful relationships. Beside physical challenges many Vets are faced with what has been referred to during past wars as PTSD (post traumatic stress), combat fatigue, and/or shell shocked. While a stigma may remain about this condition, more Veterans are now acknowledging it and seeking help.
Some of these program participants express that they’ve have had enough of meds and therapy (for example cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, etc.). Recreational programs can provide problem solving, a collaborative strengths-based approach, camaraderie supported transition, relevant and meaningful goals, and develop sustainable healthy behavior.
Trauma-focused psychotherapies are the most recommended treatment for PTSD. This treatment focuses on the memory of the traumatic event and its meaning. It is intended to help people process the traumatic experience by visualizing and talking or thinking about the memory to change toward helpful beliefs about the trauma. Eight to sixteen sessions are often recommended. One Vet referred to taking “meds” for his troubles which made him feel like a “zombie” and took away the passion and joy of life. That is not saying that suffering with PTSD issues will allow much passion and joy. But that Vet commented that participating in recreational programs and outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, rock climbing has helped to instill periods of passion and joy in his life.
How does it work?
At Northeast Passage, a recreation therapist (RT) will meet with an individual to complete an initial assessment. During this assessment, the RT talks about health conditions, interests, personal strengths, and local resources. They will also use standardized assessment tools as part of a collaborative process to identify goals, and a plan for achieving them, while working together.
Follow up appointments are used to work on achieving these goals and during these appointments the Vet and RT will be in the community actively engaged in recreation. At the same time, they’ll likely be creating community connections, learning about equipment, developing skills and aspects of themselves that support continued active participation and a healthier experience.
VAST Biathlon Camp at Pineland Farms
Kristina Sabasteanski is an Army Veteran who runs programs at Pineland Farms’ Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training in southern Maine, which offers year-round programming each year for Veterans with disabilities. She stated “Last year we took 17 Veterans and volunteers to Maine Huts and Trails in Kingsfield, ME. We had a variety of Veterans with physical disabilities, PTSD and other issues as well as Vets just there for the camaraderie. We stayed overnight and people commented that it was just what they needed to relax and get away from issues for a few days. It was -9 F the day we left to go home and there wasn't a single complaint among the group. Sometimes the Vets crave challenges similar to what they experienced in the military such as harsh winter conditions, strenuous activities, etc.”
Our yearly Biathlon Camp had 16 Veterans with disabilities - ranging from SCI, amputations, TBI, blindness, PTSD and TBI, and other orthopedic issues. “Many had never even seen snow before the camp and by the last day they cross country skied and competed in a biathlon race against each other. These trips and activities with fellow Vets allow them to share their experiences in the military and they realize they are not alone in their struggles.”
Retired SSG Misha Pemble-Belkin of Vermont Adaptive Veteran Ventures is proud to offer programs specifically designed for injured service members, Veterans with disabilities, and their families. The program has 170 Vet participants for more than a thousand activities including winter sports such as skiing, XC skiing, and snowboarding. It’s Vets helping Vets to learn these sports.
Vermont Adaptive was originally for groups of physically disabled Veterans from the Vietnam era. They then saw an increase in disabled Veterans participating during and after the Persian Gulf conflict. They’ve now entered a new era, where Veterans with disabilities include those with both physical and invisible disabilities like PTSD and brain injuries.
VAST recreational program for veterans at Pineland Farms. ME
According to Pemble-Belkin, “there was a study of 1,200 Vets who were split into a group taking three of the major meds and a group taking a placebos and it showed similar results. While the war experience was stored in your brain, outdoor recreation can provide some joy and passion that is a relief to the miserable times being home alone or unengaged.”
There are several ways you or your company can support these organizations: including spreading the message, direct donations, matching gifts and event sponsorship. Please direct all inquiries or donation-related questions to:
Azimuth Check Foundation: acfne@azimuthcheckfoundation.org.
Pineland Farms VAST Program in southern Maine with Kristina Sabasteanski Kristina@pinelandfarms.org
Northeast Passage in NH with David Lee david.lee@unh.edu
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports Veterans Ventures with Misha Pemble-Belkin veterans@vermontadaptive.org
Take the kids on a memorable cross country ski outing (Great Glen Trails)
You might save money by giving your kids outdated and hand-me-down cross country ski equipment, a heavy nylon parka, and a fur-lined cap with earflaps, but this gear will increase your kids' chance of having a rotten time while cross country (XC) skiing.
Improper equipment may be too heavy, cause blisters, and expose kids to frostbite. Too much or too heavy ski clothing (often used by alpine skiers when they go XC skiing) will lead to a common but misguided perspective: that is, XC skiing is tiring and "too much work." Dress correctly and get equipped properly and XC skiing can be a blast.
Poorly equipped kids won't be able to glide, turn, or stop as quickly as their appropriately outfitted friends. They may have trouble getting the skis to grip while going up hills. How much fun is that?
Use the tips in this article to get properly fitted equipment and clothing for children, whether it's brand-new or previously used. As they grow out of gear and clothing, pass them on to another child but make sure that it is appropriately sized for the one receiving the hand-me-down. Some shops have buy-back, trade-in, or long-term rental plans for children's gear, so check with ski shops in your area.
The Right Gear
Waxless skis are great for kids and even toddlers can enjoy a stroll on wide plastic XC skis that they can strap on to their regular snow boots. Make sure the boots fit well and feel as comfortable as a pair of sneakers. Sizing XC skis has changed so you can have short skis that are both very maneuverable and provide long glides. Use the "paper test" to see if a particular pair of skis supports your weight effectively for both gripping on the uphills and gliding on the flat terrain or downhills. Here's how to do it: On a hard floor surface, you should be able to slide a piece of paper under the skis when you stand evenly weighted on both of the ski centers. When all of your weight is applied to one ski at a time, the paper should be unable to slide.
Light layers of clothing should help you feel comfortable and you can always remove a layer if you get too hot while going uphills. A lightweight synthetic base layer of long underwear helps to keep you dry and transport any perspiration away. A middle layer that provides insulation such as a shirt or sweater with a jacket shell on the outer layer works great. Don't forget a headband or light hat and a pair of appropriate gloves (not alpine ski gloves) that are made for movement.
Have Fun
Kids love to race (Fischer Sports)
Make sure XC skiing is fun for the child; this means avoiding strenuous hills and scary out-of-control downhill runs. The key is for your child to have a positive experience on the first few XC ski outings. It may be easier (and a good decision) to have your child begin with a qualified instructor in a class with other kids. After the lesson, join him or her for an easy family XC ski to a nearby destination.
XC ski areas often have special terrain or incentives for kids. Trail Tracker is a scavenger hunt at Great Glen Outdoor Trails Center in Gorham, NH, 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. Other programs at Great Glen include the winter-long Bill Koch Ski Club, Ski with a Naturalist, and a day long Kids Ski Fest.
Annie’s group at Methow Trails (Valley Photography)
The Methow Trails in the Methow Valley in Winthrop, Wash. welcomes “kids to XC ski free” for those aged 17 or under! They also invite kids to participate at no charge in their 4 annual on-snow race events.
"StorySki" trails are 1-kilometer XC ski loops lined with the stories of delightful children's books by local children's book author and illustrator, Erik Brooks. The 3 Methow ski trails allow young skiers and their families to ski while reading an entire book and gliding through the magic of winter in the Methow Valley with 18 colorful story-panels that usher kids along the trails for a self-guided storybook tour.
The Methow’s "Wild Side" trails appeal to slightly older kids (6-12) and encourage playful skill building on skis through engaging challenges that the panels suggest.
Bring some chocolate treats, talk about animal tracks, and encourage your child. Make it about more than skiing, and it can give you many years of quality family time and memories cross country skiing with your children.
Ski lesson with CANSI certified ski instructor
The vast majority of cross country (XC) skiers do not take XC ski lessons, but rather they start with friends or family, who are usually not trained to teach XC skiing. So, who needs XC ski lessons? Most of us do!
Starting with the basics, a XC ski instructor can help a skier choose clothing and equipment that is appropriate for weather and his or her skiing goals and abilities. Equipment selection including the ski flex, length of poles, ski boot type and fit can make a huge difference in a skier’s experience.
A ski instructor can gently guide any XC skier to better skills and match a skier's pace to his or her level of fitness and interest, keeping the skier from working too hard…and let’s face it, most people who do not XC ski perceive the sport as too much work. The idea of sliding on snow can be a challenge for some people. An instructor can show the proper way to balance, transfer weight from one ski to another, and how to use the poles. Learning to keep the body forward with appropriate ankle and knee bend can start a new skier with confidence. Maintaining control down hills is also key to enjoying XC skiing.
The first time a new skier approaches a hill, whether going up or down, can be a make-or-break experience. A lesson can help one learn simple techniques to travel up a hill with confidence. Going down a hill on XC ski equipment can be frightful to new and experienced skiers alike. Narrow trails, difficult snow conditions, rocks and trees are challenging to even an experienced XC skier. An instructor can make sure the initial down hill experience is a safe and comfortable one by starting on the right terrain and practicing skills and techniques. Such a lesson will prepare a new skier and build their confidence.
Can a Lesson Help Seasoned Skiers?
Alpine (downhill) skiers who are trying XC skiing for the first time will also greatly benefit by getting some XC ski instruction because the equipment and techniques varies between the two sports. Skiing uphill is a totally new experience for the alpine skier and going down hills on XC ski equipment, which is lightweight and has a free heel…and no big plastic ski boot, can be more than thrilling.
An experienced XC skier, who may need to improve on some aspects of their technique can also benefit from a ski lesson. Most XC ski control and efficiency problems involve incorrect body movements or timing issues and these problems will waste energy. Even constantly looking down at the skis will distort good body position while XC skiing.
Years of incorrect technique can instill the wrong muscle memory and this really requires a certified and experienced instructor to rectify. Video analysis can be a great benefit to seasoned XC skiers. A good ski instructor will not be critical but will direct the lesson to the skier’s goals such as improve glide, control, and feeling more confident on skis.
So many XC skiers use outdated equipment and instructors can be helpful to discuss newer or more appropriate products with them. There are so many derivations of XC skiing, that it is imperative to get informed advice to match what someone wants to get out of XC skiing, be it gliding on a groomed trail or mastering the glades in untracked powder or other ski conditions.
Finding a Qualified XC Ski Instructor
To find a qualified XC ski instructor visit or call a XC ski area. Discuss skiing goals with the instructor and find out if they have been certified by the Professional Ski Instructors organization. Certification involves training and passing a test to teach XC skiing. The instructor should be a “people person” easy to talk to, and offer positive feedback on a skier’s strong points and encouragement on how they can get even better skills. With enhanced skills and techniques, XC skiers can experience the fun aspect as well as enjoy the outdoors and fitness associated with the sport.
Thank you to Brad Noren, of www.NordicFusion.ski who is a PSIA certified level 3 Alpine and Level 2 Nordic ski instructor for information in this article based on his experience teaching since 1972 in northern Michigan.
Create family memories on a cross country ski weekend.
Resorts run by families, are great for family winter vacations packed with something for every family member from fresh home cooked food to the atmosphere and fond memories.
These family-run resorts offer family clientele a combination of togetherness and/or solo time. There’s never a concern about nothing to do because there are so many choices. From reading a book to hiking, horseback riding, swimming and kayaking in the summer to sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and other nearby snowsports in the winter. Many of these recreational activities are perfect for family bonding and they create joint memories to last a lifetime. Some folks like to simply unplug and enjoy being away from the hurried world of jobs, schedules, and commitments. Many families opt for their vacation time to become untethered from modern-day trappings such as smart phones and social media, for a heightened state of relaxation to enjoy a quieter, easier world.
The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT built by the singing Von Trapp family is synonymous with family-run resorts, but there are many others such as the Breckenridge Nordic Center in CO, which has been run by Gene and Therese Dayton with their kids for decades. A recent visit by a couple looking for a place to hold their wedding reception stated “Your lodge is gorgeous! We like the cozy feel and the fact that it's family-owned.”
Therese Dayton commented “Our three children grew up living and breathing this business, where they could see and contribute their hopes and ideas toward a future. They have worked at the center since they were quite small, and had to earn all of their own ski equipment working on weekends and holiday breaks each winter. She noted, “Our employees and guests are part of a family legacy in the making. We try to lead by example and not with formalized documents, policies, and procedures. We treat our staff and guests on an individual basis, considering feelings, trying to do what is best and right above all rules. They have seen our children and now grandchildren grow up and they remember stories about when our children were young, and skiing, whether competitive or not interested in racing, always just having fun on skis.”
Dan Baumann of Golden Eagle Lodge in Grand Marais, MN stated, “I have been at Golden Eagle Lodge for 41 years now - running it with my parents, then my wife joined the staff, and then our three kids also helped out. This October my oldest son Zach married a long time guest, who we watched grow up, and they are running the lodge now.”
Getting set up for a family snowshoe adventure at Cross Country Ski Headquarters
Bob Frye of Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI jokingly commented “we’ve used our daughter Mariah as forced child labor since she was eight and many of our skiers have seen her grow up. It’s her business now!” He stated that the families are an important part of a growing business. “We’ve established trust as the experts in the ski business so our skiers feel that we’ll choose the right stuff for their gear and clothing.” We’re like a free expert for other families and Mariah has great experience in racing so she has experience that can be trusted in that area.”
Emily Christie of Falcon Trails Resort in Falcon Lake, Manitoba said “We are a family run resort and it is a huge part of the identity and spirit of our business. Falcon Trails was founded by my parents Barb and Craig, who have been carpenters in the area since 1980. They have a love of skiing and were very active members of the local Nordic ski club. When the government decided to close the local ski area, my parents came up with a proposal to build rental cabins to provide a financial crutch that would help keep the ski hill alive. So for the last 20 years our family has owned and operated the local ski slopes/Nordic trails, which is now a four season cabin rental resort. Today my two sisters and I, along with their partners, run the resort together.
Trailside family pose at Maplelag Resort
Eli Einman of Sleepy Hollow Inn located in Huntington, VT commented that “Our customers appreciate and like to support our family run business. We've been in operation for 17 years now, and each of us has our own roles in the business. As an example, several long time skiers here know they can request certain trails to be groomed by my Dad, and he almost always obliges. Often we hear from our customers that they really like to buy season passes from us because they like to support small and family run enterprises. Folks often tell us there is a good vibe from Sleepy Hollow, and I know that's just from the casual & colorful (non-corporate) banter that gets thrown around the front desk area.”
Anne Carter, owner of Carter's Cross Country Ski Center in Bethel, ME has two daughters and sons-in-law that help with the operation of the two centers. “They’ve been playing at the ski areas since they were one and half years old and then helped out since they were in middle school with the operation in the shop, grooming, and giving lessons.” Of course, the kids’ friends were attracted to the ski areas and the customers got to watch the girls grow up and then see the grandkids around the centers. Anne is delegating the website responsibility to her daughter, Jes.
Jay Richards, the second generation manager of Maplelag Resort in Callaway, MN lives with his wife and kids at the resort, which continues to be the home of his parents so it’s truly a large family with three generations involved. Maplelag had a fire that destroyed the main lodge. There are 75 km of trails and there will be a check in building with a store and a few individual accommodations with kitchens.
Dogs can be on a leash or off a leash on the ski trail
This winter I was menaced by a dog on the trails at Eastman Cross Country Ski Center, which is a golf course with cross country (XC) ski trails in N.H. with homes along the trails. That dog was nipping at my heels sprinting behind me for more than 150 yards and barking with bad intentions.
Then I noticed a story in the Grand Junction Sentinel about dogs on trails in Colorado; XC ski trails that are groomed by the Grand Mesa Nordic Council on U.S. Forest Service land. A proposal to formally designate some of these trails as dog-free (or trails that allow dogs) has divided the community of trail users.
The Council wants some of the trails labeled with a “no dogs” rule and enforced to formalize the unofficial law. The local ranger stated that the U.S. Forest Service’s view is that trail users are required to have their dogs leashed at trail heads and on the trails, and dogs must be under control of their owners, but that can be voice control.
There was a dog biting incident on the Grand Mesa trails in February 2016. The other concerns are with waste, safety, and trail maintenance. Dogs can be an obstacle on the trail that causes skiers to lose control on fast downhills. Some trail users have commented about the amount of dog feces on trails and dogs behavior jumping on skiers and being aggressive.
Those who want to continue bringing their dogs to the trails feel they have a right to do so and they believe the area is open for public use including pets. Signs banning dogs have been installed illegally and some skiers were using intimidation tactics to discourage people from bringing their dogs on certain trails. While some skiers want one trail dedicated as dog-free there are other skiers who favor restricting dogs from all the trails.
The Nordic Council claims that it annually spends tens of thousands of dollars to groom the trail network, but the Council does not have the legal power to restrict use because it is pubic land. The Forest Service is taking comments to determine if a formal environmental analysis is needed, which will take months and not guarantee any action.
According to the Cross Country Ski Areas Association there are more than 60 XC ski areas in the organization that allow dogs on some trails (there are about 300 XC ski areas in North America and many more parks with trails). Some XC areas have designated specific trails for the dogs, others welcome dogs on all the trails, and some invite the skiers with dogs to use the snowshoe trails. Some XC ski areas require the dog to be tethered to the skier and it is suggested that dog owners check with the XC ski area for their specific dog trail policy. The association’s suggestions for taking your dog on ski trails include:
Indication that dogs are welcome
Keep your dog under control at all times.
Be particularly aware of your dog at the parking lot and trail head, where you’ll encounter skiers without dogs.
Abide by all municipal animal control ordinances and city, state/province, and federal regulations.
Have proof of current rabies vaccination.
Be courteous to other skiers and snowshoers.
Bag and remove any feces.
Restrain dogs before and after skiing, either by attaching to leads, tying up, or by leaving them in your vehicle. Keep dogs within three feet of you or your vehicle.
If you want to know whether a ski area or trail has specific leash rules, the best bet is to contact them directly.
Biathlon is now on target at many XC ski areas across the country. The sport of biathlon combines cross country (XC) skiing and target shooting. The roots of biathlon are traced to Scandinavia in the mid 1700's, and currently in Europe it is the most popular winter sport attracting 700 million annual television viewers. XC ski areas in the US are now offering programs with real 22 caliber biathlon rifles, laser rifles, and even paintball markers (guns).
Biathletes race 5 kilometers (3 miles) on XC skis before shooting a rifle at five targets 50 meters (164 feet or 54 yards) away. They have a pounding heart and shaking legs with cold fingers and must take five shots. It may be cold and snowy while the sport entails concentration for precision rifle marksmanship. The competition includes shooting from a standing position and a prone (lying down) position. Depending upon the venue, the penalty for a missed shot may be a one minute added on the competitor's time or skiing a penalty lap.
The Craftsbury Outdoors Center in Craftsbury, VT has recreational biathlon programs for adults and youth competition programs. A program in West VA at White Grass Touring Center is the BB Biathlon with scheduled activities on a day in Jan, Feb and March held at 1:00 PM where you ski and shoot 9 shots at 3 targets and everyone wins.
Mountain Top Inn & Resort in Chittenden, VT initiated the Paintball Biathlon, which brings the aspects of biathlon to 250 kids in a one day event to ski and target shoot with paintball markers (guns). For the ski area, using paintball is a less expensive way to host biathlon. Skiers in paintball biathlon are rewarded with time deductions for each target they hit. Midway through each lap, the skiers visit the shooting range where identically sighted paintball markers (guns) await them to take their shots before skiing off for another lap. The event draws youngsters from across the region and is geared to have fun on snow. It has introduced the sport to kids and some of them are now participating more seriously in high school biathlon teams. There's another paintball biathlon called the Valentine's Day celebration in February at Gunstock Mountain Resort, NH.
In the Rockies, XC ski areas with biathlon programs include the Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, MT where biathlon is a cornerstone of winter activity and there is a free "Try Biathlon Day" in January; Crosscut Mountain Sports Center in Bozeman, MT with the Bridger Biathlon Club; and at Sun Valley, ID with the Casper Mountain Biathlon Club. In the west, check the Auburn Ski Club in the Tahoe, California region for its biathlon programs and the Methow Biathlon in Mazama, WA on the Methow Trails. Check Google or other web search service for a biathlon club or program in your area. Photo: Biathlete Lesson; ORDA Dave Schmidt
Loving the snowfall in front of the covered bridge at Jackson XC
I just got back from a weekend in the Mt. Washington Valley in New Hampshire's White Mountains and the report is that the trail conditions were great. This has finally been a start to the winter season and there had been a few snow storms that provided great trail cover in the region, but one must beware of epic rainstorms or extended warm ups.
During December and early January, the only skiing was at Jackson XC ski area, which had a 1.5 km of a figure eight trail of machine-made snow, which was the longest machine-made stretch of snow in New Hampshire. Up Route 116 from Jackson, the Great Glen Outdoor Trails Center also had areas with machine-made snow. And I can personally confirm that there is new snow and that Mother Nature’s snow stinginess has finally been broken this winter.
The weekend started on Saturday with a visit to Great Glen Outdoor Trails Center in Gorham, NH. We were in the leeward side of the mighty Mt. Washington and we enjoyed the well-designed forested trails and never felt any wind from the towering mountain. The SnowCoach up the Mt. Washington Toll Road to the 4,000 foot elevation is an activity that belongs on everyone’s bucket list and make reservations for it at the Great Glen lodge.
The next day my wife Kimberly and I skied at Bear Notch Ski Touring Center on trails that were scenic and comfortable (little up hill on our outing). Perhaps it was the soft snow that allowed us to scoot up the tracks with little effort. We were passed by a skijoring couple, each being towed up the trail by a Siberian Husky leashed to a harness.
Part of the trails we skied at both Great Glen and Bear Notch were along brooks. Upon my comment to Kimberly that I enjoyed skiing along while hearing the water flow nearby, I learned that there are some people who claim such running water makes them want to tinkle. You're never too old to learn things.
Posing at the Eagle Mountain House in Jackson, NH
We stayed at a country inn called the Eagle Mountain House on Carter Notch Road in Jackson. Built in 1879, the inn was like taking a trip back to yesteryear. It features 96 rooms, beautiful views, a 9-hole golf course, and a little tavern. The lobby is complete with old fashioned furniture and a phone booth with an old crank telephone. The staff was warm and friendly and the breakfast we enjoyed was great.
On previous visits to Jackson, we stayed at the lovely B & B the Inn at Ellis River featuring great breakfasts on tables that are covered antique metal sewing treadle tables. Looking out the windows from the dining room adorned with snowman figurines, we saw frolicking squirrels hopping from tree branch to tree branch. Another time we enjoyed the Christmas Farm Inn just up the hill from the XC center in downtown Jackson, which is a quintessential New England town with the white steeple church. This town, is home of the Jackson XC and it is a Mecca for cross country skiers. Jackson has also been cited as one of the more romantic destinations for travelers. Skiers can don their skis and hit the more than 150 kilometers of trails right out the door of their lodging almost anywhere in town. The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation operates under a Special-Use Permit with the White Mountain National Forest, and with the cooperation of 75 private landowners, and the Village of Jackson.
While at the Christmas Farm Inn, we dined on a fine dinner and breakfast and scheduled massages at the inn's Aveda Concept Spa. The inn is a classic country inn seemingly out of the movie White Christmas, and it is believed that it was originally built in 1778. We stayed in the Carriage House, which is the inn's newest facility that houses the spa and is nearby to the indoor pool and fitness center.
At night we checked out the Tuckerman Brewery in Conway built in 1998 which is a beer production and packaging facility and a Tasting Room and Outdoor Beer Garden. There is a multitude of different beers to try and about 8,000 barrels of beer are produced each year. There is live music and Tuckerman’s has become a popular apres ski location for skiers in the region
On Monday morning, we stayed in Jackson and skied in glorious sunshine on the Ellis River Trail, which is rolling terrain along the West Bank of the Ellis River. The Cocoa Cabin is an easy destination for skiers to reach about 3 kilometers up the trail from the Jackson XC lodge. We took some photos and had a great return ski, again along the babbling river, which was full of water from previous rainstorms. This trail is a special place for my family because it is where Kimberly fell in love with XC skiing. Hopefully, I had something to do with it, but there was also a chipmunk that crossed her ski path on that day in 1986. We've also skied the Ellis River Trail with our kids and have savored our family memories on that trail.
All in all, it was a great three days on the trails in the Mt. Washington Valley and as a reminder people should check the snow condition reports before deciding that a rain storm or warm weather down in a metro area might impact XC skiing trails in the mountains.
Photo of two skiers behind Jackson XC lodge