Five Reasons for a Family Nordic Ski Trip

Five Reasons for a Family Nordic Ski Trip

WINCHESTER, N.H., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A family ski trip evokes an image of fun and togetherness on the snow along with travel concerns about time, distance and affordability. A Nordic (also known as cross country) ski trip is a fun, enjoyable recreation for families, especially those with
infants, toddlers and school-age children. A Nordic ski trip eases family travel concerns. Cross Country Ski Areas Association,
an organization of over 200 North American Nordic centers, lists five reasons
to take a family Nordic trip.
1) Close to Home-With the demands on family time for work and play,
parents are hesitant to spend time driving to the mountains, waking
before dawn and returning after dark. The rising price of gasoline
has become a factor in destination decisions. Cross country skiing is
available on rolling farmland, local parks and golf courses. A CCSAA
member center offering groomed trails, rentals and lessons, is within
an hour's drive of most major metropolitan areas in the northern U.S.
2) Time Together-After a week in school or day care, there is no need to
separate the family during play. Infants can be carried in back
packs, toddlers drawn in sleds and kids as young as three can learn to
cross country ski or snowshoe. Even the family pet is welcome at
centers with dedicated dog trails. CCSAA centers provide rental
equipment, toddler sleds and lessons for kids.
3) Easy on the Pocketbook-Trail passes, rental equipment and lessons are
priced well below other winter recreation fees. Many cross country
vacation resorts include the use of the trails for free while staying
at the resort.
4) Develop a healthy lifestyle-According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, obesity has moved close to tobacco as the
number one health threat in the United States. An estimated 64.5% of
Americans are overweight or obese. The percentage of overweight or
obese children stands at 37%. A 150 lb cross country skier burns an
average of 572 calories per hour. The same weight downhill skier
burns 429, ice skater 500, snowmobiler 250 or TV watcher 71. Cross
country skiing burns more calories because more muscles are working.
5) Fun for all- Cross Country skiing is an activity that energizes the
body, spirit and mind while breathing fresh air, surrounded by the
beauty of nature. It is one of the only sports that a family can do at
its own pace-leisurely or vigorously, individually as a family unit or
socially with other families. Without the use of motorized equipment
and the force of gravity, cross country skiing and snowshoeing offer a
safer environment. Snow is soft, lessening impact on the joints. Cross
country skiing uses natural movements. It does not require special
skills to get started and has a short learning curve.

The Cross Country Ski Areas Association provides a descriptive listing of
Nordic centers and current trail conditions at http://www.xcski.org or
1-877-779-2754.