Kids Programs This Winter

Kids on Fischer XC Skis

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

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

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

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

Jackson XC nestled in the Jackson Village in the NH's White Mountains has the Toddlers & Tots program on Tuesday for parents to experience the trails on the snow with their young children.

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.

Cross Country Skiing Trends for 2022-23

Getting ready to hit the trails at Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Michigan

The Snowsports Industries America organization has released the 2022-23 Sports Participation Study that included cross country skiing and snowshoeing among the snow sports covered. There were 18,000 participants in the study conducted by the Physical Activity Council, a partnership of organizations in the sports, fitness and leisure industries. The findings are extrapolated from a nationwide sample to the US population with strict quotas associated with gender, age, income, region, and ethnicity followed to ensure a balanced sample yielding a 95% confidence level. The study reports results for the 2022-23 season since winter always crosses two years.

THE XC SKI MARKET

According to the study there were 5,317,000 XC skiers and 3.837,000 snowshoers in the US in 2022-23. The XC skiing gender showed 63.5% male and 36.5% female and there were 2.5 million skiers who were either new to XC skiing or returned after a year or more away. There were 2.2 million people who XC skied previously but did not XC ski last season. We can surmise that such a large segment of the population not going XC skiing or snowshoeing involves a combination of factors such as the weather, returning to work after the pandemic’s remote working, and typical lapsed skier issues (too far away, other priorities, do not have skills, etc.).

XC SKIER AGE CATEGORIES

The age categories in the study findings showed that 28.5% of XC skiers were under the age of 18 and another 14.5% were between 18 and 24, which yields a whopping 43% under the age of 25. A chunk of XC skiers (45.9%) are aged 25 to 54 while older skiers aged above 55 were 11% of XC skiers. American population demographics show nearly 30% above the age of 55, so it might suggest that there is a higher number of older XC skiers than the study reveals or there are reasons that elders do not XC ski.

Getting outdoors on XC skis at Frisco Nordic Center. Photo by Todd Powell

XC SKIER EDUCATION and INCOME

The XC skier education has always showed a highly educated participant and the 2022-23 findings supported this notion with 52% attending some college, who were college graduates, or post-college graduates. The XC skiers who did not graduate high school were 29.4%.

Perhaps, the XC ski industry should seek sponsorships with banks and stock traders since the income chart shows an increasing percentage of XC skiers in each of the income range categories as the bars go toward $100,000 and above (which is 43% of XC skiers). More than 75% of XC skiers earn more than $50,000 annually.

RACE/ETHNICITY

The ski industry has been focusing energy on diversity and inclusion in recent years and they are making slow progress in efforts to attract more people of color. The XC skiing statistics in this area reflect the American population with 9.6% black, 4.7% Asian, 17.8% Hispanic, and 67.2% white.

CROSS OVER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Taking a break on the deck of the Glen House in NH

Cross over to other recreational activities showed 21% of XC skiers also went alpine skiing while 19% went snowboarding and 16% went snowshoeing. About 13% of XC skiers went fat biking, which declined from the previous year. Traditionally, there have been about a third of XC skiers who also alpine ski and when adding snowboarding, there is now about 40% of XC skiers taking a lift for those sports. There are 22% of XC skiers who also golf while 24% hike and 21% go bicycling.

Snowshoers have a 22% cross over rate to XC skiing. Interestingly, 28% of the snowshoers also go snowboarding and 20% alpine ski.

XC SKIER FREQUENCY

Finally, the frequency statistics are a promising characteristic of XC skiers with nearly 25% of them going seven or more times in 2022-23. There were 30.4% XC skiers who went out 3-6 times and 22.3% who went twice. The XC skier rate that went skiing one time was 22.4%.  Individual XC skiers go out more often than any of the other snow sports at an average of 8.7 times per year. Extrapolating the number of XC skiers with the average number of times they went out in 2022-23, there may have been more than 45 million outings on XC skis.

Snowshoeing to a high vista at Woodstock Nordic Center

The snowshoers are a little less committed than XC skiers with regard to participating often but it is still very good with a 7.7 average number of times per year going snowshoeing. There was 19.1% going snowshoeing seven or more times in 2022-23. These findings suggest that XC skier and snowshoer participants are really into these forms of recreation and factors such as where they live, the weather in the participants’ area, and their commitment to getting outdoors are key for such statistics. The challenge to many industries is whether to promote making a good thing better (encourage committed participants to go even more often) or introduce more first timers to try the sport and encourage them to get into it.

Thanks to SIA for supplying part of the study funding and making it available. Consider joining the millions of people outside on the snow this winter! Banner photo from Fischer Sports.

Crosscut Mtn Sports Center Celebrates 20 Years of Adventures in Winter Ecology

Animal tracks sign at Crosscut Mountain Sports Center

In the winter of 2023, Crosscut Mountain Sports Center in Bozeman, MT celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Adventures in Winter Ecology (AWE) program for schools. This unique school program is based on grade-specific Montana science standards combining winter ecology and XC skiing instruction. It began in 2003 as a collaboration between Bohart Ranch and Montana Outdoor Science School.

After arriving at Crosscut, students hop off the bus and head to the Outdoor Education building where they are outfitted with ski gear and given the run-down for the day. Each class starts in the teaching arena, learning and reviewing the basics of XC skiing in order to feel comfortable sliding on skis! Students are then split into smaller groups and spend the rest of the day on Crosscut's trails continuing to practice their skiing while diving into a grade-specific winter ecology curriculum. These XC ski trails are the perfect place to identify animal tracks, learn about snow science, and discuss animal adaptations to winter! Students have an opportunity to overcome challenges, bond with classmates, and learn more about their local ecosystem.

Bohart Ranch, the XC ski area that existed prior to Crosscut, began a half day Nordic Adventure Ski Program in 1983, and then there was a desire to provide even more in-depth ecology instruction and environmental awareness to kids. From its first year with three schools, the AWE program has grown in participation and popularity. Crosscut continues to welcome a new generation of students and carry on this rich legacy of standards-based science programs in the outdoors for local students. During the 2022-23 winter season, the Ski Education program served 33 schools and hosted 2,568 user days.

The support of Crosscut's board and staff have been critical in creating and building this national model of connecting children and nature through winter ecology and XC skiing. There are similar curriculums and many learn-to-ski programs and outdoor-based school programs across the country, the Crosscut staff is not aware of any other program that combines the two into a day in nature on skis.

Watch a fourth-grade class as they learn about winter ecology, Indigenous people's history, and how to cross country ski: Adventures in Winter Ecology.

Adventures in Winter Ecology, which serves 3rd through 12th graders is one of many programs offered through Crosscut’s Ski Education Program. The AWE-some commitment of Crosscut is exemplified by its additional programs including Nordic Adventures (K-2nd grade), a program for homeschoolers (K-6th), an adult program called Naturalists on Skis, and Global Snowsports.

Crosscut’s Global Snowsports Program will enter its fourth year in 2024. Weekly XC ski sessions are offered to students and families that traditionally haven’t had many opportunities to participate in snow sports. This program is for anyone, with an emphasis on serving bilingual and multicultural students and families. Ski gear, lessons, and activities are provided at no cost thanks in part to a grant through the Share Winter Foundation.

To learn more about Crosscut’s Ski Education Program, please visit Crosscut Mountain Sports Center website. This article was submitted by Kelley Jazdzewski.

Incentives for Elder XC Skiers

Two folks enjoying the trails at Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI

About a quarter of the cross country (XC) skiing population is older than 50 years old and as the large segment of population known as Baby Boomers continues to age, they are remaining active - many of them are looking for softer or easier forms of recreation and cross country skiing and snowshoeing fit that prescription.

It is important for elder people to exercise because it can help fight both physical and psychological maladies. Everyone understands the need to stay physically active. There is a growing body of research indicating that physical activity is beneficial for the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain where working memory partially resides and is most susceptible to problems associated with aging. There is extensive evidence that outdoor exercise has positive impacts on sleep, depression, and anxiety. No matter how old you are, it just makes you feel good, too.

The SeniorsSkiing.com Subscriber Survey showed that the priorities of the elder skiers include: discounts; easy access to the area facility from the parking lot; newsletter or website pages dedicated to specific activities catering to elder skiers; instruction or guide tailored to elder skiers; and a meeting place or set-aside areas in the lodge for elders.

There are XC ski resorts and lodging establishments that have elder-friendly characteristics and the incentives almost always include discounts for older people. Many XC ski areas offer lower priced trails passes for seniors. At Bear Valley Adventure Center in CA, skiers aged 60-69 get more than a quarter of the trail pass price discounted and those aged 70 and older get nearly a two-thirds trail pass discount.

At Tahoe Donner Cross Country in Truckee, CA the senior 4-week program is on Fridays at 11:30 AM for people age 60 and older to learn to ski in a fun, supportive environment. Skiers can select any of three-visit sessions starting on Jan, Feb, and Mar. The program includes trail pass, rentals and instruction.

Many elder skiers are retired and as such, they have more flexibility in their weekly schedule – also known as mid-week availability. During the week most cross country ski areas have few patrons, thus the development of group offers, activities, and programs at the ski areas. Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI has the Golden Years Ski School on Jan 10, 2024 for beginners and returnees who will get a lesson and a guided ski tour for $55. The Silver Streak Week (Monday-Friday on January 8-12, 2024) at Cross Country Ski Headquarters and other Michigan XC ski areas is for those 60 and older with complimentary facility access (free trail pass), free hot cocoa or coffee, and free demos.

The 69 year old XCSkiResorts.com editor takes a break on the Mountain Road in the shadow of Mt. Washington

Programs such as JacksonXC's Friday Gliders & Easy Sliders and Tuesday Trekkers provide a group experience that's taken advantage of by mostly older folks. Such programs coordinate a scheduled weekly outing for groups such as the Easy Sliders, which is a group of skiers who cross country ski on easier trails (and they get tips from a guide) snowshoe group. For these examples, the JacksonXC in NH is the starting point and after the tour, people meet back at the lodge for an après ski spread with wine, snacks and coffee. Garnet Hill Lodge in North River, NY hosts a weekly snowshoe club and Cross Country Ski Headquarters reports a similar group regularly drives two and half hours from Grand Rapids to visit and ski the area.

At Lapland Lake Vacation Center in Northville, NY there's a lower priced trail pass and local senior activity programs bring groups of senior skiers to the resort for planned activity outings usually with lessons.

"Road Scholar" is a brand within the Elderhostel program intended for adults (many who are older) who want to travel, learn and stimulate discourse and friendship among other people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime. The Garnet Hill Lodge in NY has 4 different dates for the Road Scholar XC ski program during the winter months with programming inspired by the hostels and folk schools of Europe offering short term groups divided by levels to explore trails and learn about wildlife, nature and the garnet mines in XC ski and snowshoe experiences.

Craftsbury Outdoor Center hosts Masters programs for groups on different days catering to beginners in a skier group geared to first timers or those who want to improve the basics meeting weekly on Tuesdays in the morning from early January to early March. There is also the Intermediate Masters program that meet on two different midweek days and a Competitive Masters program that meets on Sunday afternoon or Thursday morning.

The folks taking advantage of cross country ski offers are proof that you're never too old to get out and enjoy nature in the winter. If you are an elder skier or someone who would like to try cross country skiing or snowshoeing, check an XC ski resort near you for special programs.