XCskiresorts.com

New XC Ski Announcements

A different type of program is the Methow Olympic Festival on Feb 12-28 for the best place to be during the 2010 Winter Games for Olympic enthusiasts, who want to do more than just watch! MVSTA will host two weeks of Olympic Festival events, including a torch parade, ski and skating clinics, gathering places to watch live broadcasts of Olympic events, special hotel packages and fun for the whole family. Accommodations in Methow Valley available at Sun Mountain Lodge or Chewuck Inn.

Bolton Valley Resort - Nordic Glades

Unique to xc ski resorts is the Bolton Valley Nordic Center glade area developed with help from TreeSkier.com's Jay Appleton. Vermont's birch forests provide Bolton intermediate xc skiers with some linked short glade sections that have been cleared and made more accessible. There is also tree sking that ends on a groomed trail for easy exit and the closest gladed area is a short 5-10 ski from Bolton's Nordic Center. The "Get Out & Backcountry Ski Festival" with the Catamount Trail Association is on Jan 24. See a full story about a BackCountry Trip from Bolton Valley below.

Highland Lodge, VT Requests Donation Instead of Trail Fee

The Highland Lodge in Greensboro, VT has changed from requiring skiers to pay a trail fee to asking for a trail donation. Skiers and snowshoers must still pick up a trail pass and make a donation. Rentails for cross country ski or snowshoe gear are still available.

New Accommodations at Great Glen

Great Glen Trails in Pinkham Notch, NH is set to begin construction of the Glen House, a full service hotel at the cross country ski trail center, which is located at the base of the famous Mount Washington Auto Road. Groundbreaking is expected in spring of 2010. It will have about 80 rooms and there will be views of the Presidential Mountains and the Great Gulf. Amenities at the planned New England mountain lodge, which will include a large veranda, terrace, indoor pool, spa, conference facilities, dining room, and more. Grand opening is projected for the summer of 2011. The facility will meet LEED standards and include modern technology as well as directly access Great Glen trails.

New Villas at Trapp Family Lodge

Last winter at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, Villas 1 and 2 were built and Villas 29 and 30 are scheduled for completion this summer as single owner residences. There will then be 21 of a planned 40 villas completed. The Trapp Family Lodge Villas can be exchanged through the Registry Collection, which is a network of 160 luxury properties from South Africa to Canada including yacht charters, too.

The Villas offer fractional ownership and worry free management and flexible ownership. They were designed with efficient lighting, windows, appliances, and heating systems to minimize the operational costs. 800-826-7000 or www.trappvillas.com

Drink and Be Merry in Utah

According to an early July report on the AP, Utah Pubs are no longer "clubs" after 40 years of requiring that customers fill out an application, pay a feee, and become a member of a private club before setting foot in a bar. People can now walk into a bar and order a drink in Park City, Salt Lake City, and other destinations in Utah. Yeah!

Legalized Marijuana in Ski Country

Passing by a whopping 71% Initiative 2F now makes possession of under an ounce of marijuana, and marijuana paraphernalia, legal for adults 21 and older under Breckenridge, CO law. As with other similar local and even state laws, there are still federal laws against possession -- but usually there is no one to enforce them. For the dope on this, check out the law's sponsoring organization's Web site at www.SensibleColorado.org.

Tripso.com article about Yellowstone National Park by Brian Ek at http://www.tripso.com/beenthere/yellowstone-national-park-save-for-weekend/

Visit the USA Today article about xc ski resorts at http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2008-01-10-10-great_N.htm and an article

on CNN at http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/getaways/01/27/crosscountry.skiing/index.html

John and Judy Miller, owners of Enchanted Forest XC Ski and Snowshoe, were inducted into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame in November. The induction letter credited the couple for their "dedication and long-term support of Nordic skiing in northern New Mexico." The Millers are the first Nordic skiers in New Mexico to be honored in this fashion.

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Ski For Heat Warms Hearts & Homes in Vermont

Vermont is known for long, cold, and snowy winters and the Ski for Heat program is a FUNdraiser to warm hearts and homes for some less fortunate people, who live in towns across this rural state. Ski for Heat provides direct and immediate assistance to help low income families stay warm by for example, purchasing fuel to burn in the furnace. As a sign of the economic times, "the number of people seeking help is increasing exponentially," said Central Vermont Community Action Council (CVCAC) staff person Sarah Phillips. Money is raised by participants, who cross country ski or snowshoe in the program. They solicit "per kilometer" pledges or direct donations from family, friends, businesses, and organizations.

The Ski for Heat program has been operating in southern Vermont at Wild Wings in Peru, Vermont for 10 years where it has raised about $140,000 for fuel assistance. While this program is a typical pledge-style fundraiser, helping low income families stay warm in the winter is central to the issue of energy equity in an economy that is squeezing those who must choose between food, heat, and other essentials. Skiing participants can feel that they are supporting their neighbors-in-need by their efforts as the money comes from within the local region to support local people. Program founder, Martha Robertson says, "We make the program as easy as possible to participate…there's no registration fee and no specific minimum requirements of donations or time. Program donations come from local businesses, families, and individuals. For many businesses, it is just good will."

The Ski for Heat program, which is sponsored by Clark's Quality Foods and other businesses starts at 9 AM and skiers or snowshoers can come and go as they please. They keep track of the kilometers that they ski. Last year, Robertson's program not only received the Governor's Award for Outstanding Community Service, but Vermont Governor Douglas and his wife visited Wild Wings to participate on snowshoes.

The next scheduled Ski for Heat Ski-A-Thon is set for January 31 at Wild Wings in Peru, Vermont in the state's southern region. Chuck Black of Wild Wings donates the use of the trails for the day, which means there is no charge to ski. Rental equipment is discounted for participants, too. The Bennington-Rutland Opportunity Council helps with the program to direct funds to people that need it.

Further north in central Vermont a Ski for Heat Ski-A-Thon is scheduled for Saturday, February 20. Morse Farm Ski Touring Center in Montpelier, Vermont is donating the use of trails to participants for the Ski for Heat program and the CVCAC staff is coordinating the event. All donations up to $5,000 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by CVPS Shareholders (the regional electric company). The funding from the Morse Farm program will be forwarded to benefit the Shareheat Fund at the CVCAC.

There's no need to be a "hot" skier to Ski for Heat. Why not help some neighbors keep warm this winter? For more info check www.skiforheat.org

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Ski For Light Week Announced

Ski for Light, Inc. is an organization founded in 1975 to teach blind, visually- and mobility-impaired adults how to xc ski, in an atmosphere that encourages participants to recognize that they can usually accomplish much more, both on the snow and back home in everyday life.

Each year Ski for Light, Inc. conducts a week-long event where blind and mobility-impaired adults are taught the basics of cross-country skiing. The event attracts about 300 participants and guides. The location of the event changes from year to year in an effort to spread the Ski for Light philosophy and idea to as many parts of the country as possible. This year the week will be in late January at Soldier Hollow near Provo, UT.

During the Ski for Light week each disabled skier is paired for the entire week with an experienced, sighted, cross-country skier who acts as ski instructor and guide. The disabled person skis in tracks or grooves in the snow, while the guide skis along side. The guide offers instructional tips and suggestions, support and encouragement, and describes the countryside.

The blind and mobility-impaired adults, who attend the Ski for Light week come from all over the U.S. and from several foreign countries. Many of them come to Ski for Light with a desire to become more physically active and fit, and to find recreational opportunities that are lacking at home. Most of the SFL skiers discover, in the process of learning how to xc ski, that they can accomplish much more than others have told them, and much more than they themselves believed. They leave Ski for Light with a sense of accomplishment and motivation that carries over to every aspect of their lives back home.

The volunteer guides, who attend Ski for Light are a very special group of people. They pay the same event fees as disabled skiers so that they can share a favorite activity with someone who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate. Most of these guides discover that in the process of giving of themselves they are getting as much or more back in return. Many of them return to each event, year after year.

The 35th annual Ski for Light International Week will be held at the Marriot Hotel & Conference Center in Provo, UT with xc skiing at Soldier Hollow in Midway, UT from January 31 through February 7, 2010. The organization is always seeking new guides and participants (visually impaired or mobility impaired) and word-of-mouth is how most first-time attendees are attracted to the program. Please help spread the word to anyone, who might be interested. Information about the event and application forms for the 2010 event will be available at www.sfl.org. Those interested in attending or volunteering for SFL may also call (612) 827 3232 or send an email to info@sfl.org.

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Gourmet Ski Tours - Stuff Your Face with Less Guilt

Want a guilt-free way to indulge yourself with food while exercising? XC Skiing is one 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.

Here's a cross section of the culinary xc ski events across the country that feature a varied menu of fun and fine cuisine.

East

Eastman Cross Country's Nordic Nibbles in Grantham, NH on January 17 has a Scandinavian theme with a visit to a fire pit at each stop for cheese from a local smokehouse, Lindt chocolate, gingerbread cake and pastries, local dairy milk for hot coco, soup, and the main meal from 10 AM - 2 PM.

The Chocolate Festival at Mt. Washington Valley Ski & Snowshoe Center in Intervale, NH on February 28 is an inn-to-inn affair at 10-12 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.

The Joy of Skiing Progressive Picnic in Bethel, ME at Sunday River Inn on Feb 20, ski to designated locations on the trails for fresh donuts made trailside, soup for lunch at the covered bridge, S'mores, and finish at the deck party in a fundraiser for the American Lung Association.

Dartmouth Cross Country Ski Center's "Howl at the Moon" event is on a short golf course path lit by torches and fire pits hosted by local restaurants in Hanover, NH on February 26.

Look for the Sweetheart's Chocolate Tour at Bretton Woods on February 13 with 6 stops for sweets. And enjoy the Sweetheart's Ski or Snowshoe Tour by candlelight at 7-8 PM that evening.

Central
Garland Resort's Gourmet Glide in Lewiston, MI invites skiers to the trails where they stop at five trailside feasts to fuel themselves along the way. Start with mimosas and breakfast at the lodge and make your way to the most famous stop at the Trout Pond Camp, where the family can fish for trout and then have it prepared right there over a wood fire. The program runs January-March on Saturdays starting on in early January with groups heading out at 9 and 10 a.m.

Taste of the Trail at the Active Backroads Retreat in Ironwood, MI on March 6 features cuisine from local restaurants at trailside food stops.

Mountains
Just Desserts Eat & Ski in the Enchanted Forest in Red River, NM on February 28 features goodies from 20 different local restaurants at three trailside stations with up to 100 desserts within a 4 kilometer loop.

Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT has the Glide & Gorge event on March 7 from 1-3 PM with trail luncheon stationed with appetizers, soups, entrees, desserts from the Ranch's four-star kitchen. Local brew, wine, music and shuttles included for $40 (preregistered) includes the ski pass.

Crested Butte Nordic Center's Progressive Bonfire Dinner in Crested Butte, CO on March 20 where you will follow the illuminated trail for a 4-star, 4-course, 4 kilometer tour of Italian fare. Sunday Brunch @ the Yurt reached by a 2 km tour and Moonlight Tours for Dinner @ the Yurt are available and the full moon night dinners are on Dec 31, Jan 30, Feb 28 and Mar 30.

Look for the Galena Lodge in Ketchum, ID for thes Full Moon Dinners on weekend nights associated with the full moon whereby you can go ski or snowshoe (half price rental gear offered) and then return to lodge for a 4-course dinner at $40 or half price for kids under 12.

Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, CO has scheduled the Progressive Ski Dinner on Feb 26 with the trail lighted by 200 candle lanterns on a short ski as a fund raiser for the Grand Huts organization.

West
Tahoe Cross Country's Gourmet Tour in Tahoe City, CA on March 14 is a two hour affair (1-3 PM) to sample a dozen of Lake Tahoe's finest north shore restaurants featuring stops for seafood, crab cakes, soup, wine and pasta.

Cypress Mountain outside of Vancouver, BC has Chocolate Fondue Tours on Saturday nights starting at 6:30 PM and daily Snowshoe Chocolate Fondue Tours are organized by pre-registration.

At Strathcona Wilderness Centre in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada the Great Pastry Caper should be held in mid March where skiers vote for their favorite food station. 780-972-3939 www.stratcona.ab.ca

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Adventure Guides for a Great Winter Experience

These days, cross country skiing is easy on groomed trails due to improvements in ski equipment and regular trail grooming. But, the secret is that great winter ski experiences can be had as a guided adventure in the backcountry.

Perhaps the term backcountry skiing paints pictures of avalanches and extreme skiing movies. The fact is that this type of cross country skiing can mean anything from a quiet morning tromp through the woods, getting back in time for a bowl of hot soup in front of the fireplace, to a challenging all-day trip to the top of the world. You can maneuver your skis up hills and then swoosh back down…but if you don't want any hills, you can ski over frozen snow covered lakes, alongside rivers, or through meadows.

Guides can virtually hold you by the hand or offer a recommendation for a self-guided tour. They can suggest appropriate equipment and clothing to make it a more comfortable experience and they can offer ski instruction to a first timer. Expect an experienced guide to help intermediate skiers master higher skill levels or lead advanced skiers on more extreme expeditions reaching new heights.

Adventure guides can plan your trip to match your skill level and desired intensity. The value of a guide is that your comfort level is increased multifold. That is because the experienced guide knows about trail and terrain selection to fit the skier level; he or she knows technique tips to help successfully crossing terrain in different types of snow conditions, but most of all the guide will give you personal attention and help you to avoid backcountry calamity.

A resort vacation is great, but while you're there take half a day with a guide to ski off into the untouched powder where the snow is fresh and fluffy. The pace might be like a hiking trip - where you can hustle along if you're looking for a killer workout, or just take your time and enjoy the scenery. Most ski guides love to talk, too - so expect some gab about local historical, geological or interpretive to provide a more informative and interesting experience.

Guide services to backcountry adventures on XCSkiResorts.com include Vista Verde Ranch in CO; Sun Valley Trekking in ID;High Peaks Adventures in NY; Bredeson Outdoor Adventures in CT and VT; International Mountain Climbing School in NH; and Outdoor ESCAPES in NH. Other guides services include Hilltop Adventures in MA; Randonnee Tours in Eastern/Central Canada; Northern Cascades Mountain Guides in WA; White Pine Touring in Utah; Alpine Skills in CA; and Yellowstone Expeditions in MT.

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Bolton Valley to Trapp Family Lodge Backcountry Trip on the Catamount Trail

Some of the best backcountry skiing in New England for seekers of fresh powder is in the woods between Vermont's Bolton Valley Nordic Center and Trapp Family Lodge. The 9.4 mile (16 km) tour climbs 1,300 feet and descends through open forest with marvelous views in many directions.

In the early 70's Gardner Lane, founder of Bolton Valley headed out to meet Johannes Von Trapp, who left the Trapp Family Lodge. They each flagged the path until they met in the middle. Today, this is the section of the Catamount Trail (north - south xc ski trail that reaches from the north to south borders of the state) known as Section 22.

Along the way from Bolton Valley Nordic Center is the Bryant Camp, a historical cabin built in 1922 by Edward Bryant that is available to rent through the center. Much of the path is through the Mansfield State Forest and there is a steep descent that is difficult when the snow is icy, crusty, or not sufficiently covered.

Many skiers ski from Bolton to Nebraska Valley Road to poach the downhill powder and catch a ride back to the center. Bolton Valley Nordic Center offers guided backcountry ski or snowshoe tours on the trail that start at $60 and for more info or a quote, contact the xc ski resort. Bolton also has backcountry equipment available to rent for $25. The Catamount Trail Backcountry Challenge Race is scheduled from Trapp Family Lodge to Bolton Valley Nordic Center on March 1.

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Fees in the UnFriendly Skies

Travelers are experiencing fees for everything under sun when they travel domestically by air these days. Recent articles in First Tracks and Tripso.com point to the particulars of checked bag fees EACH WAY for each traveler.

New info from the National Ski Club Newsletter informs us that United Airlines baggage fee has been increased to $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second checked bag...but if you pay on line there is a $5 discount. The airline industry collected $1.1 billion for checked bag fees last year with American Airlines alone collecting $278 million.

These fees are quite a hit to a flying family of four…but there's more.

Southwest Airlines does not charge fees for up to two bags that are checked and it has posted a chart on its Web site that covers fees of the other airlines. Some of the airlines now charge fees for phone reservations, curbside check in, priority seating (requesting an aisle or window), oversize baggage fee (penalty for skiers and snowboarders), first and second checked baggage, unaccompanied minor, meals, alcohol, and beverage/snack. There must be jokes about using the restroom on board (fee to pee?). And will fees soon be charged for even carry-on bags?

Why have the airlines instituted these fees? Well, one answer might be "because they can," but the corporation's common refrain is that the fees are needed as a surcharge to offset the increased cost of fuel. Most people can accept that - remember last summer when the cost of a barrel of oil topped $140? But, the price is now below $90 for a barrel of oil, and there has only been one airline that has eliminated some of the fees in correlation to the decline in fuel costs.

There are various "bailout" programs that are now marketed by vacation services, whereby if you commit to a longer vacation that includes lodging and other associated expenses or stipulations, a reservation service might offer a limited discount to offset the airline fees.

Will more ski travelers opt to rent gear at their ski destination rather than lugging their own equipment through airport terminals and stuffing it in rental cars? Time will tell how people react to this new round of increased travel costs.

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First Person Account - Wildcat Valley Trail for NH Adventure

Legends have been made on the Wildcat Valley Trail, which drops off the back of Wildcat Ski Area in New Hampshire's White Mountains. In 1972 in the shadow of Mount Washington, a few men cut this trail from the top of one of the toughest ski areas, down to the village of Jackson. It has become a storied part of the Jackson Ski Touring Center's trail network.

The Jackson Ski Touring Center trail map cites the Wildcat Valley trail length as 16.4 kilometers but we skied about 8 km of the trail in about 10 inches of untracked powder on a Sunday morning to reach a pickup rendezvous. We caught a ride to the Wildcat Ski Area in Pinkham Notch and then took the high speed quad to the mountain top.

Rated as "Most Difficult," this trail was actually tracked for us that day for about 80 percent of the descent …by a moose. The trail width never extends beyond 10-12 feet wide and it twisted its way down over snow covered rocks, blown down trees, and stream crossings that threatened horrible freezeups. Each curve in the trail offered turns over uncertain undergrowth and drainages. All we could do was hope that the moose, who probably had broken the trail earlier in the week, knew his stuff. This is an expert trail for skiers who know how to make turns where and when they need to do so. Low intermediates and inexperienced skiers will pay a serious price if their skills are not up to it, and the cost of a rescue for an injured skier will be borne by the skier.

The Jackson Ski Touring Center trail map recommends that skiers who ski the Wildcat Valley Trail be in top physical condition and thoroughly prepared before attempting the upper most section of the trail. Our day would encompass a 2,000 foot drop in elevation (the full trail is more than 3,000 feet in elevation drop). Because of the clouds, views from the trail would not be available on this day, but when clear skies prevail there are scenic pictures of Mt. Washington and the surrounding region.

There were seven skiers in our group donning boards that ranged from toothpick racing skis to backcountry skis with 75 mm bindings. A couple skied on standard binding setups with lightweight recreational touring skis and there was a pair of Karhu Catamount skis, which are essentially sliding snowshoes. The group included ski writers, a trail designer, and Jackson Ski Touring Foundation's executive director, Thom Perkins as the guide, who has skied the trail more than 400 times. Thom's historical and topographical trailside rest-stop stories enhanced the trip to the max.

I used a pair of Karhu Ursa skis that have ¾ length steel edges, a pair of Alpina backcountry boots, and BC bindings. It was probably the first time that I used gaiters on a ski outing in more than 30 years. My layered clothing setup included lightweight overpants, a Mammut Goretex-type jacket, and xc ski gloves that had Thinsulate. The jacket pit zips were of great value as everyone heated up soon after we first descended from the peak.

The trail cutters did an artful job clearing this trail slit in the landscape and for some of us our tools of trade would help to carve tight telemark turns while others depended upon emergency techniques to survive. The temperature was in the twenties and after some snow showers, the sun poked through to shine on our joy. And for certain, a splendid time was had by all of us.

From the summit of Wildcat Mountain after getting off the lift, we spoke at the top of the trail, decided an order of skiers, and pushed off down a narrow steep drop, which was short but the steepest section of the trail. I split my skis too deep in telemark action and slid down for the first fall of the day…but it was a slip rather than a yard sale type of fall. I went down one more time later when I got tangled in some underbrush. All the other skiers fell at times, too, but falling was not the story. It was about the trail, the soft snow, and then the glades and the sun. Our 8 kilometer sojourn took about two hours but we stopped often and took plenty of photos. Thom mentioned that people have bombed down the trail in packed conditions in less than 20 minutes.

The trail excursion paid dividends on that day in the form of a destination to a gladed area with big birch trees that according to our guide took 38 man-days of work to clear out about an acre. The powder in the glades was simply a quintessential experience.

Skiers intending to ski the Wildcat Valley Trail must purchase a $19 trail pass at Jackson Ski Touring Center and a one-way lift ticket at the Wildcat Mountain Ski Area for $8. It is strongly recommended not to leave too late because it gets dark early in the winter and it is easy to get lost. Pick a good day with new snow to get the best experience and be sure to honor those few guys who conceived and created the Wildcat Valley Trail.

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Bill Demong Provides Hope for American Olympic Medals

An article about US Nordic Combined Olympic Team hopeful Bill Demong was run in ESPN Magazine in February prior to the World Championship excitement that occurred in Liberec, Czech Republic where Demong was throned as gold medalist on the 140 meter large hill. Here's the story partly from that ESPN article..

Nordic Combined skiers compete in two individual events including the 104-meter hill and the 140-meter big hill, each followed by a 10 kilometer cross country ski race. A team event includes four members, who jump from the big hill and then race at a four by 5 kilometer relay. In the jump, points are awarded for distance, form, and accuracy. In the ski race, competitors start one minute behind the jump leader for every 15 points they trail him.

Norwegians and Finns have dominated Nordic Combined winning 40 of 84 available Olympic medals. Americans have struggled with the jumping aspects of the competition. The best USA finish was fifth by Todd Lodwick in 2002.

A jumping specialist was brought to the team training center in Park City, Utah to address the team's lack of jumping prowess. Ski jumping requires a quick smooth takeoff with precise form. Winning technique displays a quiet upper body with 70 percent of the jumper's weight on the ball of his foot while maintaining shin angle at takeoff.

In 2002, Demong cracked his skull diving into a swimming pool, which sidelined him for two years. Since training again, Demong has improved his jumping two-four percent per year worth 10-20 seconds at the start of the ski race element.

The biggest news about American Nordic Combined competitors in the past was when Kerry Lynch admitted to blood doping at the 1987 World Championships with coach Jim Page. Doping is the illegal blood transfusion done to increase red blood cell count. Lynch, who had won national championships in 1981, 83, and 86 finished second in the 1987 Worlds, but was stripped of his medal when he and Page confessed to the scandal.

On Feb 28, following a disqualification at the team event, which resulted from wardrobe malfunction when his race bib was lost amidst his outfit, Bill Demong came back to win the Nordic Combined event gold medal on the big jump. Teammates had been quick to forgive Demong for the disqualification in the team event. Demong had also won the silver medal in 2007 world championships in Nordic Combined.
More recently, Bill Demong also won the King's Cup in Vikersund, Norway on March 15. This is considered one of the highest honors in Nordic Combined competition. Demong, who is from Vermontville, NY has taken five podiums in his last 5 competitions. These results and the fact that the USA earned 5 medals in Liberec suggests that there are grand hopes for the USA to reach the podium for Olympic medals in Nordic Combined in Vancouver at the 2010 Winter Games.

Randall is First American Woman to Win XC Medal at World Championships

Kikkan Randall became the first American woman to win an xc ski medal at at world championships or Olympics on Tuesday, February 24. Hailing from Anchorage, Alaska, Randall, who is 26 is a two time Olympian with a best of ninth place in the 2006 Olympics. The race of 1.3 km was a photo finish for the silver medal with Randall beating Finland's Pirjo Muranen in the sprint held in Liberec, Czech Republic.

Amazingly, Randall suffered a serious blod clot from her left hip past her knee just last year. The clot was addressed and then it reformed.

The gold medal went to Italian Arianna Follis, who overtook Randall in the last turn before the final stretch. Randall had been leading the race until that point. The silver medal was the first American xc ski win since Bill Koch won bronze in the 30 km race at the 1982 world championships. That's 27 years! Congratulations to Kikkan Randall!

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Skijoring: Enjoying Winter Trails with Your Dog by Louisa Morrissey

Skijoring is a Norwegian word that means "skidriving." A team of one or more dogs pulls an xc skier and the skier "drives" or directs the team as he or she skis behind. In Scandinavia, skijoring has been done for centuries and it is gaining popularity in the US. It is simple to learn and can lead to man magical winter days for you and your canine friend. Skijoring will help keep your dog fit and healthy and it can deepen and enhance the relationship that you have with your dog. Learning to work with your dog and become a team is a great reward that skijoring has to offer.

The Skier
The human aspect of skijoring requires skiing ability, dog training, and handling skills. Any xc ski gear can be used for skijoring and classic or skating ski techniques can be used. The type of ski selected depends on the experience that your desire such as how fast you want to ski and how far you want to go. Expect that a fast running dog on a groomed ski trail will be very quick and skating might be the best choice.

If you are new to xc skiing, it is recommended that you take ski lessons and practice prior to trying skijoring with your dog. Ski ability requires that you are able to control your speed, stop, and keep balance. But as previously mentioned, skijoring is a team activity and you should expect to work as hard as your dog. It is not a FREE RIDE!

Dog training and handling skills are equally important so it is useful if you and your dog have participated in an obedience class together. Key elements include being positive, patient, and consistent. Positive reinforcement is important with any animal training and short simple sessions will yield great results. You want to feel successful and gain confidence together.

The Dog
No matter the breed (above 30 pounds), dogs have a strong instinct to hunt as a pack. While sometimes this instinct can result in unwanted behavior, when carefully shaped and trained, it also enables your dog to pull. One of the easiest ways to teach your dog skijoring is hooking him/her up with an experienced skijoring or sled dog team. Another method that works is to have someone ski slightly in front of your dog and call it, while you let it pull you.

Some dogs may learn immediately and others may take a little more work and encouragement, but keep things in perspective.

Dogs need adequate water and it is recommended not to run then on a full stomach. They can overheat in warmer temperatures (above 40 degrees) and dogs with thin coats (such as pointers) can get too cold. You might consider dog booties for abrasive snow conditions (may take some getting used to) and for furry footed dogs, you should trim the hair on their paws or used oils (Musher's Secret) to prevent snowballs. If your dog is not regularly exercised, start with very short sessions and work up from there. Consult a veterinarian for advice about ideal running weight for the breed of dog that you own.

Skijoring Equipment
The gear for skijoring is lightweight and simple. Booties have already been mentioned and a harness is necessary to connect you with the dog. A webbed harness when pulled to complete length stretches from your dog's neck and chest to the base of his/her tail. A good fitting harness should allow a dog to run and pull efficiently and safely. It is best to have an experienced and knowledgeable skijorer help to fit your dog's first harness. A bungee lead (a leash with a bungee cord sewn inside of it) is useful to prevent jerking motions and ease the stress of pulling on your dog. You will also have a harness around your hips and legs and these come in a variety of styles that should fit so that you can move and ski efficiently. A safety release between your harness and the line connecting you to the dog is very important.

Communication and Sharing
When you are ready to go, with a friend in front to encourage your dog, let him/her start pulling and give the command "Let's Go!"

There are many commands you will learn as a skijorer such as "whoa" or stop, "on by" meaning leave that irresistible distraction alone and keep going, "gee" means go right and "haw" means go left. "Come around" means turn around. Taking a class in skijoring will help you get started the right way.

While on the trails with your dog please be aware of trail etiquette. Respect the guidelines at an xc ski area and stay on the dog-friendly trails that are specified. Loose dogs can be an annoyance and even a danger to both skiers and other dogs. Be aware of others on the trail.

Louisa Morrissey teaches skijoring clinics in Colorado. at Devil's Thumb in Tabernash, CO (970-726-8231); at the Canine Country School in Gypsum, CO (970-524-1440); or by reservation at Gold Run Nordic in Breckenridge, CO (970-547-7889).

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Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center Celebrates Founder Olympic Anniversary

February marks Lapland Lake, NY resort founder Olavi Hirvonen's 50th anniversary as a member of the 1960 US Olympic Team in Squaw Valley. He participated in two cross country ski events, the 15 and 50-kilometer distances. His better race was the 50-kilometer in which he finished second among the US skiers. His performance was marred by a broken ski which compelled him to proceed 1.5 miles on a single ski before he was able to obtain a replacement. He was 29 years of age.

After the Olympics until 1962, Olavi continued to compete in the 30-kilometer distance races in regional and state championships. He finished second in the National Championships in 1960 and 1961 in the 30-kilometer distance. In 1962 Olavi won the Maine State Championships in 30 km and in 1978 he won the NY State Championships in the 15 km. In 1986 he won the US Masters in the 30 km and was the first American to finish the World Masters in the 30 km race.

Olavi is the founder of Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Benson, NY, which opened to the public in December, 1978. The 2009-10 season will be the resort's 32nd winter season. On December 26, 2010, Olavi will turn 80 years young. He continues to perform all of the daily grooming duties and gives workers in their 20's and 30's a run for their money when raking trails, shoveling or doing any of the myriad and countless physically demanding chores required on any given day.

Thousands upon thousands of skiers have visited Lapland Lake throughout the more than three decades of operation. XCSkiResorts.com joins the rest of the Nordic community in celebrating Olavi Hirvonen as one of the industry's mainstays and forefathers.

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Has Snowmaking at XC Ski Resorts Arrived?

Trapp Family Lodge steeped in tradition in Stowe, VT has been added to the ever increasing list of xc ski resort snowmakers. That's right, they are making machine-made snow at Trapp's. In fact, a list of xc ski operators that have dabbled in snowmaking over the years is now at 32 xc ski areas. The list also includes Mountain Top Resort in VT, Bretton Woods and Great Glen in NH, Royal Gorge, CA, and Soldier Hollow, UT.

Why did Trapp Family decide to invest six figures in a snowmaking operation? The availability of less expensive and portable snowmaking systems are main motivations, but other business-driven issues are relevant too, such as filling lodge rooms and fulfilling season pass holders' desire to extend the ski season beyond Mother Nature's whim.

Twenty years ago, one industry consultant dubbed the xc ski resort quandry as "precipitation roulette," and some business-oriented reasons to install snowmaking include operational security to guarantee skiing, programs, and staffing; competitive advantage against xc ski resorts that do not have machine-made snow, and guaranteeing snow cover on important holiday periods (which can represent more than 30 percent of annual business).

The necessary components of a snowmaking operation include cold temperatures, water, high pressure, power, and system components such as piping, pumps, compressors, and snow guns. The power requires both manpower and energy supplied by electricity or fuel. There are many industry horror stories about the night hours and difficulty of the work associated with snowmaking. Getting the snow to efficiently cover a narrow corridor trail is also a challenge.

But the most significant issue has always been the investment required for many xc ski businesses that are small and seasonal. It is now at the point where operators at Mountain Top Resort in Chittenden, VT decided that snowmaking was a higher priority than selling retail products at the xc ski center. Snowmaking supports so many aspects of the business from rental operations and ski lessons to dog sledding and snowshoeing. In terms of the guest perspective, guests expect to book travel to a destination and get the experience that was desired...and that includes snow!

Who knows, perhaps there will be a day sometime soon when snowmaking will be a basic aspect of xc skiing at commercial resorts?

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Yellowstone Begins to Adapt

According to a story in the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park's largest concessionaire Xanterra Parks & Resorts is offering services including more groomed xc ski trails, ice skating, and massage therapy at the Snow Lodge. The company still has snowmobile tours, but winter business in the park and the gateway town of West Yellowstone is undergoing a shift that is less focused on resolving the long standing dispute about snowmobiles in the park and more about adapting to a changing market.

Presently 720 snowmobiles are allowed in Yellowstone daily and all of them must be accompanied by commercial guides. A third major study of the associated issues has now created a permanent plan for snowmobile use in the park. The business in the town has been dependent upon the snowmobile tourism, but the national park should be a draw with or without the machines. The geysers and wildlife are great attractions for winter enthusiasts and so is the access to human-powered winter recreation such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter camping.

The companies that provide winter snowcoach tours have increased fleets and the snowcoach ridership has increased. At the same time, the number of snowmobiles decreased 20 percent last year compared to previous years. It is unknown whether the lack of snow last year was the prevalent factor causing the downturn in business or if the politics associated with the battle about snowmobiles had a negative effect. An updated report showed that since 2003, visitor interest in snowmobiling in the park has been about 250 per day. The National Park Service has reported that Yellowstone's air has improved dramatically in the past few winters resulting from a decrease in snowmobile traffic and increased snowcoach use.

There is a new Old Faithful Express snowcoach service out of West Yellowstone with few stops getting visitors to Old Faithful more quickly so they can have more time to explore the trails before taking the return shuttle. There should also be express skier drops at Seven Mile Bridge or at Madison Junction for a 14-mile ski back to the park's West Entrance.

The Rendezvous Trails in West Yellowstone has a full slate of competition race events but town businesses and the park will need to increase the volume of recreational events, programs, and special offers as well as marketing efforts to encourage more winter awareness and visitation to the region. It sure appears to be a great place for family vacations!

New Info About Yellowstone Park From the Outdoor Industry Association

The National Park Service established a new policy about snowmobiling at Yellowstone Park. It defers the implementation of a final new policy until the winter of 2008-2009, leaving the existing level of snowmobile use in Yellowstone capped at 720 machines per day for this winter of 2007-2008.

* Actual use in recent years has averaged from 250 to 290 snowmobiles a day.

The policy decreases the cap on snowmobile use in Yellowstone from 720 to 540 machines when the new policy kicks in during the 2008-2009 winter and it will require that all snowmobiles and snowcoaches use the best available technology aimed at reducing noise and emissions.

All snowmobiles would have to be led by commercial guides.

The Blue Ribbon Coalition has said it will sue in protest of the lower snowmobile numbers and commercial-only rule. The conservation community is likely to file suit as well. Conservation groups want snowcoaches to transport tourists in the park. They cite government research that says noise and air pollution levels are too high even with the reduced snowmobiling and cleaner machines. The "sue you, sue me" blues continue and there appear to be little interest for negotiating by the sides. Can't we share the park?

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Milestones of Modern XC Skiing in the USA

Since the time that wooden skis were found in a peat bog in Sweden dating to 2,000 BC, there have been many milestones that brought xc skiing to where it is today. Focusing on the USA, the forefathers of our recreation include people such as Snowshoe Thompson, who delivered the mail in the Sierra Mountains of California and JackRabbit Johannsen, who xc skied in northern New York.

The editors of XCSkiResorts.com using various sources considered the milestones and developed this list of the Milestones of Modern XC Skiing in the USA in order of significance:

1. Development of synthetic xc skis in 1974.
2. Development of the waxless based ski in the early 1970's, most notably the Trak ski with synthetic fishscales on the ski base to eliminate the need for ski waxes. The waxless base gave the recreational skier grip on uphill travel while also allowing gliding downhill.
3. Integrated xc ski binding systems, which provided substantial improvements in simplicity of boot/binding interface and control in the mid 70's.
4. Bill Koch won the Olympic silver medal in 1976 and World Cup in 1982, the only American to ever win at that level. The Nordic Trak exerciser used the Koch image as a fitness icon in advertisements for years.
5. The onset of the commercial xc ski area concept began in 1968-69 at Trapp Family Lodge. This brought designed, groomed, and maintained trails making xc skiing easier and safer for the average person.
6. The skating technique proliferated for a faster paced and higher performance form of recreation.
7. Revolution Skis developed by Fischer led the way to shorter skis, which were easier to use and consolidated ski sizing and simplified ski selection.
8. New lighter clothing with synthetic and breathable materials was more conducive to xc skiing comfortably; company brands such as Mother Karen led the way in the late 1970's.
9. Other technological advances such as the 2 Wax System that offered one wax for cold temperatures and one for warm temperatures simplified ski waxing while the BackCountry binding systems provided a beefed up boot/binding system that provided substantially more support and control for backcountry recreation.
10. Will the Nordic Integrated System (NIS) developed in 2005 change the ski/binding interface? This system combines the ski and binding at manufacture rather than at the retail store.

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Vermont's Nordic Ski Quest

Some xc ski areas in Vermont have developed a unique idea to encourage xc skiers and snowshoers to visit different resorts this winter offering clues for a treasure hunt at various xc ski resorts across the state. The Ski Vermont Nordic Quest is the brainchild of Vermont Ski Areas Association and Cabot Creamery.

Start a log book or order the official Ski Vermont/Cabot Creamery Log Book Starter Kit. If you don't have a pair of your own xc skis, you can rent equipment at any of the participating xc ski areas. At each of the ski areas there will be a stamp to find on a Nordic Quest trail. Simply stamp your log book, notebook, or pad. Collect six stamps and send them in to claim a prize.

Send a copy of the stamps from six completed Nordic Quests to Ski Vermont Nordic Quest, PO Box 368, Montpelier, VT 05601. Include your name and mailing address so a prize can be sent to you. Which was your favorite Nordic Quest and why?

Look up the participating xc ski areas listed below for specific Ski VT Nordic Quest trails on XCSkiResorts.com or email Heather@skivermont.com to get a Log Book Starter Kit and directions:

Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe - Prizo's Prizes Quest
Smugglers' Notch, Smugglers Notch - Heart of Smugglers' Notch Quest

Quests also at Highland Lodge in Greensboro,Mountain Top Inn Resort in Chittenden, and Bolton Valley, VT has one quest for beginners and one for advanced xc skiers.

Okemo Nordic Center, Ludlow - Okemotion Quest
Hazen's Notch, Montgomery Center - Wilde Trail/Spruce Brook Trail; Woodfern Loop
Morse Farm Ski Touring Center, Montpelier - Farming Quest
Woodstock Ski Touring Center, Woodstock - Mount Tom Quest

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Adaptive XC Programs

Here is XCSkiResorts.com information about adaptive programs. These programs positively impact the lives of people with physical or mental challenges through quality adaptive recreation.

XCSkiResorts.com is a sponsor of Ski for Light, Inc., which is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1975. The primary goal of the program is to teach adults with visual or mobility impairments the sport of xc skiing. There are instructor guides that share a favorite sport with an enthusiastic skier and enable a disabled person to master an activity that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Details about the Ski for Light organization, regional events and the international week and costs associated with the program are available at www.sfl.org or contact Brenda Seeger on the Internet at brenda@sfl.org or by phone at (507) 274-5502. Visually impaired individuals may contact Lynda Boose at 906-250-7836 or lynda@sfl.org. Mobility impaired individuals may contact Jeff Pagels at 920-494-5572 or jeff@sfl.org.

* In another program, Maine Handicapped Skiing’s goal, through Veterans/No Boundaries, is to help any veteran (or active duty service man or woman) with a physical disability to learn new skills, build physical strength and gain self-confidence through participation in adaptive recreational activities.

Veterans/No Boundaries is coordinated by a volunteer planning committee that includes numerous veterans, local business people and Maine Handicapped Skiing staff. Several veterans serving on the committee are currently participants and/or volunteers at Maine Handicapped Skiing for winter and summer sports activities.

Maine Handicapped Skiing also offers a winter Veterans/No Boundaries program at Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center, which will be offered in February, 2008 (dates TBA). Veterans downhill and cross country ski, snowboard, and snowshoe all free of charge. Meals, equipment and lessons are provided by Maine Handicapped Skiing (along with discounted lodging) thanks to the generous support of Sunday River, Bath Iron Works, local businesses, individuals and many veterans organizations throughout Maine.

For complete details about the Veterans/No Boundaries program or to learn more about Maine Handicapped Skiing for adults and children with physical disabilities, go to www.skimhs.org , call 800-639-7770 or email MHS at info@skimhs.org.

Other programs by state:

Alaska - Alpine Alternatives, Inc. - www.alpinealternatives.org
California - Discovery Blind Sports - www.discoveryblindsports.org

Colorado - Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center and Breckenridge Nordic Center - www.boec.org
Adaptive Adventures in Denver - www.edaptive.org
Adaptive Sports Center of Crested Butte - www.adaptivesports.org
Foresight Ski Guides in Denver - www.foresightskiguides.org
Nat'l Sports Center for the Disabled in Denver- www.nscd.org

Idaho - Sun Valley Adaptive Sports - www.svasp.org

Illinois - Adaptive Adventures - www.adaptiveadventures.org

Maine - Maine Handicapped Skiing - www.skimhs.org
Central Maine Adaptive Sports - www.lostvalleyski.com

Montana - Eagle Mount in Bozeman - www.eaglemount.org

New Hampshire - Northeast Passage in Durham and Jackson Ski Touring Center - www.nepassage.org

New York - Stride, Inc. - in Rensselear - www.stride.org

Utah - National Ability Center in Park City - www.nac1985.org
SPLORE in Salt Lake City - www.splore.org

West Virginia - Challenged Athletes of WV in Snowshoe - www.cawvsports.org

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Smart Ski Travel Using the Internet

Here are some ski travel tips from Charles Leocha of SkiSnowboard.com, the SkiSnowboard America and Canada guidebook, and MSNBC about booking a ski trip or vacation using the Internet (we've incorporated xc skiing) - excerpted from SkiPress Magazine.

1. Booking hotels - Leocha suggests to use Expedia, Hotels.com, Orbitz, and Priceline to find packages that combine air, lodging, transfers or rental cars, and lift tickets. If you are an xc skier or snowshoer, who does not want to go alpine skiing or snowboarding, the lift ticket aspect is useless to you. Additionally, it is unlikely that many xc ski resorts are involved with these conglomerate Web sites and we think that you can get the best price on lodging if you work directly with the resorts that are on XCSkiResorts.com. But you could very well find great prices by combining the other aspects of your trip (air and vehicle). Leocha recommends using Sidestep.com, which compares packages from a collection of different Web sites.

2. Booking flights - Use aggregator and meta-search engine Web sites such as Sidestep.com, Kayak.com, or mobissimo.com. They search multiple airline sites and offer info in an easily comparable format. None of these sites include Southwest Airlines, so you need to go directly to Southwest.com for the best deals that involve that airline. Leocha recommends that after finding info about flights, book directly with the airline Web site to save service charges that are added by travel agents and aggregators.

3. Rental Cars - Orbitz.com displays a great matrix of available rental cars and you can usually get better prices at off-airport locations (they require a shuttle trip from the airport to get there). Leocha also suggests that Priceline.com has the best prices because of the "Name-your-own-price" booking engine. Be aware that you are not allowed to change the dates of the car rental with this service.

4. Traveling with Ski Gear - Check with the airline about free luggage limits when it comes to skis because some airlines now charge an additional fee to transport skis. Leocha suggests that you take your ski boots on the trip and rent the skis. This idea allows you to try different ski brands, models, and higher performance skis. Of course, with xc skiing you need to be aware of the different binding systems so if you have a Salomon boot or NNN boot, you need to have the respective binding on the rental skis. Call the resort ahead to double check about this issue.

5. Get the Facts - It's best to clearly understand what is included in your ski trip. Does the package price include trail fees? Does the resort offer breakfasts and lunch? Can you find out in advance about other services that are available such as massage or swimming pool availability? Do you want backcountry guided ski trips or do you like to ski on groomed trails, need nearby alpine skiing?

We obviously think that starting with XCSkiResorts.com is a great idea to compare resort alternatives. Create a list of places you've been and destinations that you want to visit. For more info about the "meccas of xc skiing," check out the recommendation lists on the XCSkiResorts.com Top 10 Page. Have a great trip!

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GREEN EFFORTS at XC SKI RESORTS

Many of the operators of cross country (xc) ski areas are eco-active, or in other words they are exemplary of the "greening" of xc skiing. They pay heed to ideals such as: protecting scenic values and wildlife habitats, practicing water and energy conservation, reducing waste and reusing products, designing and building facilities in an environmentally-sensitive manner, managing forest and vegetation properly, handling potentially hazardous waste properly and educating their clientele and staff about environmental awareness and their eco-activity. Some common themes among operators are evident, such as, wildlife sensitivity, using biodegradable hydraulic fluid in snowcats that groom the trails, and trail designing for streambed protection. These eco-active efforts are not typically hundred thousand dollar investments, but xc ski area operators have much to be proud of with many small but meaningful accomplishments.

Many areas are conducting environmental interpretive group programs and many display trail signs to tell their environmental story. For example, a simple idea that is done at Kirkwood Cross Country in Kirkwood, California is the listing of recent wildlife sightings on its trailhead blackboard. At Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado, a geothermal heating system is used in the majority of its new buildings. The system consists of glycol-filled pipes that have been installed in the Ranch's on site lake. Heat is transferred to the glycol from the water, and then heated to 105 degrees by compressors in each building. The pipes are placed in the flooring providing radiant heat. The system uses very little electricity.

The White Grass Ski Touring Center in Canaan, WV is the recipient of the WV Environmental Council's 2003 Green Entrepreneurs Award. The facility is heated soley with wood and used about $2.50 worth of electricity a day. Environmental education is a key element at White Grass as there are regular outings in the WV Highlands Conservancy and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Ted Young of Boundary Country Trekking on the Gunflint Trail in MN will offset the carbon produced on the Banadad Trail (such as snowmobile grooming) by investing in reforestation in the area. They'll determine the cubic tons of carbon emissions associated with trail maintenance volunteers' transportation to the site and grooming machinery and other mechanical equipment used on the trail. They will sequester a number of acres to match the amount of carbon taken by red and white pines to derive a dollar amount value to contribute to the "Gunflint Green Up" tree-planting program. This is a planting estimated at 75,000 trees! Boundry Country Trekking has a sustainability statement and a comprehensive implemention plan at the boundary country implementation.html that is tops in the xc ski world.

Want to visit a sustainable resort that practices what it preaches? Nipika Mountain Resort in BC is off grid for its power. It uses micro-hydro and solar. The furniture is built on site with wood from trees that were killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle. The "Interpretive Trappers Cabin" is loaded with info about wildlife, natural surrounding, history, telescope, and more.

The Crawfords installed a photovoltaic solar power system, which is producing as much power in a year as they consume at Stump Sprouts in Hawley, MA. All of the buildings are heated with and most of the hot water comes from wood sustainably harvested from the woods adjoining the trail system. All food waste is composted and they recycle about 2/3 of the remaining waste. They try to serve as much locally grown food as possible and grow most of their own produce in the summer. At estimated 40 percent of the Stump Sprout guests live within 30 miles of the trails.

At the Lodge at Jackson Village in New Hampshire, the owners are members of the NH Sustainable Lodge Program, changed to fluorescent light bulbs, healthier cleaning and lawn care products, initiated a voluntary towel and linen reuse program, installed solar PV panels to power attic fans, and changed outdoor and holiday decorations to LED lighting.

Soldier Hollow, which was the Utah site of all of the Nordic skiing events at the 2002 Olympics has an 11,000 square foot lodge built with recycled timbers as construction materials for building beams, columns, perlins, siding, interior roof, baseboard, and casing. Approximately 90 percent of the wood used in the lodge was salvaged from a 1902 railroad trestle that once crossed the Great Salt Lake. The bridge was no longer used in the 1950's and a wood reclamation project extracted the materials from under the water. Devil's Thumb Ranch has also rescued a Civil War-era barn from Indiana to frame its Broad Axe Barn with hand-hewn white oak and beech beams. In addition, the Ranch's roads and parking lots are constructed with recycled asphalt from a highway construction project.

Other Eco-Active Examples
An inventive environmental idea at Sleepy Hollow Inn, located in Huntington, Vermont runs its tractor on bio-diesel fuel, which is comprised of any kind of vegetable oil. This reduces emissions such as carbon monoxide, but it also provides better engine lubricity and is less expensive to run. Sleepy Hollow also offers free skiing (one time) to anyone, who drives to the area's trails in a hybrid, electric or bio-diesel powered vehicle. Maplelag in Callaway, Minnesota is an active tree farm on the White Earth Indian Reservation where it has planted thousands of trees and has created more than 20 ponds to benefit wildlife there. Hardwood Hills in Oro Station, Ontario designed and installed a septic system that recovers most of the water, which enters the system. The water is filtered, diluted, and recycled for use in the snowmaking system. Devil's Thumb Ranch has installed EPA-approved specially designed chimneys that minimize emissions from wood burning fireplaces.

Cross country skiing brings people outdoors to appreciate nature - and at such a slow pace, skiers can not help but be affected by nature's beauty and spiritual wonder. Many xc ski area operators are committed to creating and implementing innovative and effective environmental programs to enhance eco-awareness and foster responsible stewardship of natural resources. It's a natural symbiotic relationship!

For story about Karhu's Greenlight Core click Gear News.

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Ski Walking - Get Ready for the Season by Hiking with Poles
by Pete Edwards - owner/founder/coach WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

One way to prepare for the ski season - ski walking! And it's a healthful fitness activity, too.

Dr. Christaine Northrup, author of "Mother-Daughter Wisdom" and "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom," said "My Ski Walking poles have been a terrific addition to my regular exercise program. I love the way they incorporate my upper body during a walk, thus giving me more strength-training and calorie burning for the time spent. I highly recommend them to everyone!"

Ski Walking, also called Nordic Walking, is the fastest growing fitness activity in Europe. Over 760,000 Finns of all ages and all fitness levels are hiking with their poles - that's 20% of Finland's entire population and millions are Ski Walking all across Europe.

The Finns saw the success of their elite skiers utilizing poles in the summer for Ski Walking and Hill Bounding. They also saw how a hiker with knee pain could eliminate the pain while hiking by using a walking stick and back packers complaining that their backs hurt until they were given poles. So with some removable rubber tips over special carbide ferrules, and the most comfortable xc ski pole straps they could find it was discovered that the perfect length poles for recreational Ski Walking were poles that put the Ski Walker's elbow at 90 degrees when strapped in and standing tall.

Ski Walking not only provides a better aerobic and cardio workout than regular walking, but radically reduces the pounding and stress to the knees, hips and back. And folks with sore or new knees, sore or new hips, back problems, MS, Parkinson's, running injuries including shin splints, have all been pleasantly surprised by the benefits of Ski Walking.

How? By utilizing the correct length poles, we are automatically forced to walk taller, with hips forward and the back straighter. Better posture is biomechanically a good thing! Combine this improved posture with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive action of walking with fitness poles and there is a huge decrease in the stress put on the weight bearing joints.

Marketing hype? No, Ski Walking really does burn up to 40% more calories than regular walking. Ski Walking produces up to a 46% increase in energy consumption compared to regular walking (Cooper Institute, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sports 2002 publication).

Perfect fitting poles are important. Quality 1-piece fixed length poles are hassle free and user friendly - ideal for everyday use. I had a participant in one of my Ski Walking clinics tell me that she super glued her $140 titanium poles because she couldn't get them to stop compressing while walking.

I've hosted 100's of folks in my Ski Walking clinics and they all comment about how the poles really makes them stand tall (with a straighter back), makes them feel their arms working and eliminates any knee, hip or back pain they may have had prior to Ski Walking. I also coach runners and occasionally a couple of my runners get painful shin splints and now they can Ski Walk for over an hour - pain free.

For an unabiased blog about Nordic Walking or Ski Walking, check out Claire Walter's Nordic Walking USA Blog.

For a resort that is into winter walking click Smugglers' Notch, VT and for more information about Ski Walking and product info, contact www.SkiWalking.com or call 877-754-9255.

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Family XC Ski and Snowshoe Destination Vacations

Plan to gather up the kids and head to the hills during the school breaks next winter. No need to head to warmer climes - winter can be snowy, yet mild, and perfect for a family vacation with plenty of activities such as cross-country (xc) skiing and snowshoeing. According to the experts, who regularly update XCSkiResorts.com, the nation's top xc ski resorts are exceedingly family-friendly with lots to enjoy together both on the snow and off. What families want and need is exactly what an xc ski vacation delivers: multi-generational participation, quality time and shared memories.

There are special touches such as talent shows, child-friendly classes and family style meals to help your xc-ski vacation become the perfect memorable getaway with your loved ones. Families can find resorts that offer the perfect combination of carefree atmosphere and picture-perfect views together with beautiful lodging, family dining, and expertly groomed trails and learn how they can enjoy the winter outdoors together. The following are top suggestions from the site:

Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont - One of the most famous family resorts where the hills come alive with the "Sound of Music." In the Green Mountains of Vermont, Trapp Family Lodge is a paradise for families with a fitness center, an indoor pool and the Mountain Kids Club provides playtime, craft time and movies for kids.

Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado - Here's the best of both worlds with backcountry guided xc skiing in addition to groomed trails. They have programs to engage kids and teens, sleigh rides, cooking classes and evening entertainment.

Palmquist's "The Farm" in Brantwood, Wisconsin. - As the name implies, this xc ski center is a farm that offers kid-friendly animals such as rabbits, horses, cats and dogs. There are tubes and sleds to use on sliding hills and an ice skating pond, plus horse-drawn sleigh rides and kids rental ski equipment.

Maplelag Resort in Callaway, Minnesota - Run by a 3-generation extended family, this resort has families coming back year after year. They serve family style meals, and host a talent/variety show, which is a big hit for families whose performances feature everything from jugglers and family skits, to jokes, musical instruments and German beer drinking songs. The show is followed by the Saturday Night Dance, which offers an eclectic collection of music for dancers of all ages.

Montecito-Sequoia Lodge in Kings Canyon National Park, California - Visit giant trees in Sequoia National Park and Monument. There is a daylong program for children, which has a break for the family to join together during lunch. The kids build igloos, go tubing and xc skiing or snowshoeing on nature hikes to see and learn about animal tracks. At night there is a dance, karaoke and bingo.

Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana - There are programs for outdoor youth adventures that include animal tracking, snowshoeing, tubing, snow kickball, obstacle Olympics, finger painting, scavenger hunts and ice cream socials. Parents will love the cuisine, massage and xc skiing on picturesque trails.

Lapland Lake Ski & Vacation Center in Northville, New York - Weekends feature nightly bonfires and the kids love to play Napa Kikku, which is a Finnish game on ice with a sled and a pole. Kicksleds, tubing, ice skating and parents use pulk sleds to pull the kids along the xc ski trails.

Smuggler's Notch Resort in Smuggler's Notch, Vermont - This resort has a dynamic lineup of family programs with 1,000 acres for alpine skiers and snowboarders, teen centers, kids camps and FunZone play area, resort village with shops and restaurants, condo lodging, and walk-to free shuttles. There's xc ski and snowshoe trails, winter walking, ice skating, and more. Recognition for family focus has been awarded by numerous magazines.

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Choosing a Destination XC Ski Resort

For people interested in traveling to xc ski resorts this winter, here is info about making a destination selection from the editor of XCSkiResorts.com.

In general, xc skiers select their winter xc ski destination resorts using some rating system of how xc ski areas perform in eight categories of criteria including trail quality and grooming, scenery, food quality, staff friendliness and service, the ski lodge facility and family issues. There is a great range of xc ski areas in North America and in the eyes of xc skiers these characteristics delineate areas without concern to whether the area is an inn, a ranch, a day area, a destination resort, or a recreation park area. I've purposively avoided the issue of cost - whether you like to travel to distant resorts or only travel within your region, you will still compare the other criteria to select your destination resort.

The information below describes what a quality xc ski resort is all about in terms of services and amenities at some of the leading xc ski resorts in North America.

XC SKI TRAILS
Trail Quality relates to the skiers' comfort on the trails, even though those skiers might be at different skiing or experience levels. The trail signage should help skiers understand where they are on the area's trail network. And signs should help skiers know the direction that will help them return to their starting place. The trails should provide a skiing flow so there aren't too many long uphills or sharp turns at the bottom of steep downhills. One idea that is done at Lapland Lake in Northville, New York that makes trails seem less crowded is to have skiers go in the same direction (one-way). The result is that the trails never seem crowded. Jim Richards of Maplelag in Calloway, Minnesota said, "Feedback from the majority of our skiers let us know that they preferred double-tracked trails over single tracks. And we had overwhelmingly negative opinions about allowing dogs on the trails, too."

Some of the best xc ski areas are just blessed with great terrain for xc skiing. The location of Royal Gorge in Soda Springs, California is perfect for xc skiing as the area's land diversity offers flat, rolling and more challenging variety. And Jane Dulaney, marketing kingpin at the area comments, "Our Sierra maritime snow it consolidates well and is great for the base on our trails. This means that skiers can count on excellent conditions when they ski there.

Trail grooming can make or break the ski conditions. Olavi Hirvonen of Lapland Lake states, "We groom every morning unless we have to wait for the snow to dry out or cool off - and I groom the way I like to ski the trails myself." Hirvonen gets the Lapland Lake staff out on the trails after windy periods to rake and pick up the debris from trees like fallen limbs and pinecones because "I don't want the skiers to have to ski over the debris as it appears on the trails from the Springtime melt."
One thing that most of the best xc ski areas share in common is that they acquire and use the latest trail grooming technology to give them a mechanical advantage. They do not skimp when it comes to using snowcats with their grooming attachments to break up ice or powderize the snow into the finest trail surfaces.

Without getting into the details of grooming machinery and techniques, the personal pride of the area operators is paramount to the trail quality issue. Brian Wadsworth of Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana was a world class cross country ski racer, who groomed trails for eight years at the Ranch. He was selected by the Soldiers Hollow Olympic venue to groom the 2002 Olympic Cross Country Ski competition trails. He knows grooming from a technical and a skier's perspective. He knows the "best line tracks." But when he comments, "My goal is to be able to hold a World Cup race here any day of the winter" it sums up his pride and commitment to the quality of the trails at Lone Mountain Ranch.

STAFF SERVICE AND FRIENDLINESS
You know it when an area's staff is a great one - they seem happy to see you. In most instances, areas that have veteran employees have them because it is a great place to work. Most of these great employees do not need "customer service" training. They already have the personal touch. At Lone Mountain Ranch the staff has become "the hallmark in the industry," according to Wadsworth because they are "encouraged to create life-long relationships with the guests." Most of the people that work at the best xc ski areas want to work there as a lifestyle choice. This is apparent with their attitudes with the guests and about working at one of the best xc ski areas.

The Richards family, who own and run the Maplelag Resort in Callaway, Minnesota, treat their guests as part of their family. It may sound trite but their guests sincerely feel welcome and they state it unequivocally in testimonials. The staff often greets the guests by name. They Richards constantly ask their guests if there is anything that can be done and they drop everything to help their guests, be it in the lodge, on the trails, in the rental shop or at the dinner table. Richards feels, "One of us (the Richards family) is always around to help with our guests. It's fun to be talked to and pampered by the actual owners of the resort." Many testimonials from different areas claim the same thing with regard to their feelings about the service at the best resorts - they feel welcome, comfortable and "at home." And Maplelag avoids posting rules or signs saying "Don't do this or that."

RESORT LODGES
XC ski lodges can be designed to provide space, convenience and efficient utilization, but there are also other factors that make a difference to skiers. Ann Hirvonen of Lapland Lake states, "Clean is huge to us. We are cozy and convenient, but facilities such as restrooms can get pretty yucky, so we keep them in good condition throughout the day." Lapland also takes into account brown baggers (bring their own lunch rather than purchase food at the area) by offering them a picnic area. And they have a public shower and changing area for skiers, who want to clean up before their drive home.

At Lone Mountain Ranch, part of their ambiance is the historic facilities. Of course they have also added new updated facilities such as a dining room and some cabins, but many guests go there to enjoy the rustic and original facilities. "It looks like what people expect Montana to look like and we continue to renovate with cozy features such as antique furniture and old fashioned quilts to retain our historical aspects," said Wadsworth.

Royal Gorge's Wilderness Lodge has had the same managers for years and according to Dulaney, "they are fabulous with their employees and it trickles down to the guests."

The main lodge at Maplelag is the area's group meeting place, and it is a living folk art museum. Jim Richards has collected unusual items from around the world. He stated, "We work very hard cultivating this look to be a feast for the eyes." There are nooks and crannies where people can sit and relax, read a book, play games with the family, etc. The lodge also houses the main dining room, hot tub, sauna, massage rooms, rental shop, gift store and it is where the Saturday night talent show and dance takes place.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Whether Nordic skiers bring a picnic lunch, stop at a trailside snack shack or relax with a first class dining experience, the best areas usually are known for their outstanding cuisine. Good food service is a result of the area's commitment, quality chefs with pedigree culinary backgrounds, wine selection, and so on. A comment from Royal Gorge's Dulaney about the chefs at the Wilderness Lodge sums up the quality, "What these women do with food is just amazing and they've produced a cookbook, which is very popular with the guests and going into its third printing."

The Maplelag kitchen is run by Debbie, the chef who has been on the job on and off for 25 years. There is a window opening to the kitchen where guests can speak with Debbie and see the staff cooking the meals. They make everything from scratch using only natural and fresh ingredients. They call it homestyle, hearty, and wholesome and it is a unique menu that is endorsed by the guests. Richards' summarized, "Food is a real joy at Maplelag.

QUALITY FAMILY TIME
Some xc ski areas are highly touted for their commitment to families. They cater to family needs by "dealing with the kids." Ann Hirvonen of Lapland Lake says, "We are a family and we raised our daughter here and when you raise a family at a ski center, you focus on families. So our trails have plenty of flat terrain for kids and we offer pulks (sleds that skiers use to carry small children), children's sized snowshoes, skis, boots, and ice skates." XC skiing offers families an activity that they can all do together. And that can include a four-year old on Snoopy skis skiing right alongside of grandpa skiing on his pine tarred woody originals.

Child-oriented instructors are a key element for families. For the kids to have a positive attitude about Nordic skiing they must have positive first experiences. It is suggested that the most successful lessons do not intermingle children with their parents in the same classes. Kids get comfortable with child-friendly instructors as individuals and on subsequent visits the kids commonly request to take additional lessons so they can spend more time with those friendly instructors.

Another important way to cater to families is to offer a variety of other skiing and non-skiing activities. At Lapland Lake a game played in Finland called Napa Kiikku is organized on weekends and holidays. The game involves a pole on ice with a sled that goes around in a circle. Adult lessons are conducted to correlate to the time that the kids play the game.

Kids love a campfire by the lake, sleigh rides, or just playing on a big pile of snow. Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont conducts many kids "classes" from swimming to puppet classes or making stuffed animals. The kids' classes provide parents with some child-free time for going on harder ski trails or getting a massage while the kids are being entertained.

Jay Richards (Jim and Mary Richards' son) of Maplelag commented, "Seeing our large family with our own kids running around, being involved makes families feel welcome here. We try to make parents feel at ease about having their kids run around." Maplelag cabins and cabooses are great accommodations that can fit large families and the Richards try to help families focus on being together doing family activities. Serving meals "family style" is a key element to the atmosphere. But so are the other family activities such as the dance and the talent show. Baby sitting services are available on site, too. Jay feels that one of the biggest reasons families visit is that there are many families already at Maplelag every time people visit and that makes families feel welcome.

CONCLUSION
Of course, there are other criteria for selecting winter destinations - for example, couples that are looking for a romantic weekend will have different needs (and desires). There is something more memorable about traveling to a destination compared to going to the local trail network for a couple of hours to xc ski or snowshoe. Whatever your interests, there is a perfect xc ski resort for you.

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RESORT NEWS PAGE

News of XC Ski Resorts

and XC Skiing in North America

XC Action in the EAST

XC Action in the CENTRAL

XC Action in the WEST

New XC Ski Announcements

Ski For Heat Warms Hearts & Homes in Vermont

Ski For Light Week Announced

Gourmet Ski Tours - Stuff Your Face with Less Guilt

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Bolton Valley to Trapp Family Lodge Backcountry Trip on the Catamount Trail

Fees in the UnFriendly Skies

First Person Account - Wildcat Valley Trail for NH Adventure

Bill Demong Provides Hope for American Olympic Medals

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Skijoring: Enjoying Winter Trails with Your Dog by Louisa Morrissey

Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center Celebrates Founder Olympic Anniversary

Has Snowmaking at XC Ski Resorts Arrived?

Yellowstone Begins to Adapt

Milestones of Modern XC Skiing in the USA

Vermont's Nordic Ski Quest

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Adaptive XC Programs

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Smart Ski Travel Using the Internet

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GREEN EFFORTS at XC SKI RESORTS

Ski Walking - Get Ready for the Season by Hiking with Poles
by Pete Edwards - owner/founder/coach WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

Family XC Ski and Snowshoe Destination Vacations

Choosing a Destination XC Ski Resort

RESORT NEWS PAGE

News of XC Ski Resorts

and XC Skiing in North America

XC Action in the EAST

XC Action in the CENTRAL

XC Action in the WEST

New XC Ski Announcements

Ski For Heat Warms Hearts & Homes in Vermont

Ski For Light Week Announced

Gourmet Ski Tours - Stuff Your Face with Less Guilt

Adventure Guides for a Great Winter Experience

Bolton Valley to Trapp Family Lodge Backcountry Trip on the Catamount Trail

Fees in the UnFriendly Skies

First Person Account - Wildcat Valley Trail for NH Adventure

Bill Demong Provides Hope for American Olympic Medals

[BACK TO TOP OF PAGE]

Skijoring: Enjoying Winter Trails with Your Dog by Louisa Morrissey

Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center Celebrates Founder Olympic Anniversary

Has Snowmaking at XC Ski Resorts Arrived?

Yellowstone Begins to Adapt

Milestones of Modern XC Skiing in the USA

Vermont's Nordic Ski Quest

[BACK TO TOP OF PAGE]

Adaptive XC Programs

[BACK TO TOP OF PAGE]

Smart Ski Travel Using the Internet

[BACK TO TOP OF PAGE]

GREEN EFFORTS at XC SKI RESORTS

Ski Walking - Get Ready for the Season by Hiking with Poles by Pete Edwards - owner/founder/coach WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

Family XC Ski and Snowshoe Destination Vacations

Choosing a Destination XC Ski Resort

Ski Walking - Get Ready for the Season by Hiking with Poles
by Pete Edwards - owner/founder/coach WWW.SKIWALKING.COM