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.

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.