|
|
|
Written by asap
|
|
Friday, 05 January 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
 Ever wanted to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing but figured the equipment rental and other fees were just too pricey? Then this would be your weekend — as long as you're in an area that's had some snow this year.
Winter Trails Day is Saturday, when more than 120 trails across the country and Canada will offer free events, including equipment rental. Why? They want to promote their sports and give newbies a chance to try.
"It's OK to go outside in the winter time," says Mary Jo Tarallo, the education and special projects director at SnowSports Industries America. "It offers an alternative of things to do that involves movement, instead of sitting in front of a television set."
But unseasonably warm weather in the Northeast and Midwest is threatening some locations for the event that drew 12,000 people last year. So far, six operators have either canceled or changed locations.
Overall, organizers don't expect the weather to impact the event too much.
"It's pretty unusual," Tarallo said. "We're just telling people to call ahead."
The Web site for Weston Ski Track in Weston, Mass reported: "While we do have some manmade snow, we have decided to postpone the event."
___
WINTER SPORT STATS
— Snow sports, like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding, can burn 300 to 700 calories per hour, according to SnowSport Industries America.
— More than 16 million Americans participate in snow sports, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.
— Snowboard sales increased 21 percent to $190 million and alpine snow skiing equipment rose 6 percent to $282 million in sales, according to a Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association report from 2006.
— How much snow do you need for good snowshoeing or cross-country skiing? Between 6 and 8 inches, Tarallo says.
— What is manmade snow? Machines actually creates snow crystals, Tarallo says. She said manmade snow tends to have more moisture content than snow that falls out of the sky.
___
Want more information?
Check out: http://www.winterfeelsgood.com
http://www.wintertrails.org
___
Caryn Rousseau is asap's Midwest writer, based in Kansas City, Mo.
| Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
|
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
| |
|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
|
|
