Winter Trails Day at Notchview
Families Invited to Try Out Outdoor Snow Sports
Saturday, January 12th, 2013

“At Notchview we strive to create a community of skiers of all abilities who love the outdoors. Winter Trails Day is a great opportunity for someone who is thinking about trying cross-country skiing or snowshoeing to jump in,” according to Jim Caffrey, the superintendent of Notchview Reservation. “Outdoor exercise is a great way to beat the xwinter blues and pick up your spirits. Nordic skiing is a low-impact, healthy sport for men and women of all ages. The lessons will cover everything from the basics: how to dress; how to get your skis on and off and how to get up after falling; to more advanced topics like proper form and balance. For lessons this year we will have stations covering each group of skills. People can practice at each station until they are comfortable with that skill. Plenty of skiers will be on hand to provide advice and support.” (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

The Trustees of Reservations invite everyone to try out a snow sport on Winter Trails Day. Events will take place at Notchview on Route 9, Windsor, MA on Saturday, January 12, from 10am-3pm. A special half-price trail fee is offered to everyone. Snowshoes will be available for free to try out for up to two hours. Free cross-country ski lessons will be offered for beginners at 10:30am and again at 1:30pm. At 11am there will be a waxing clinic covering both waxable and no-wax skis. Find out why no-wax skis should be waxed and how to find the proper ski fit to give you a great skiing experience. Immediately after the wax clinic there will be a ski fit station for people to determine if their current skis are a good fit for them. At 11:30am naturalist Aimee Gelinas will lead a one and a half “Winter Woods” snowshoe hike.

People can venture out for a Nordic orienteering game where they ski along Notchview’s scenic trails and follow a map to reach marked locations. Each location has a unique punch code to record on a game card. Prizes will be awarded based on the number of locations recorded.

ABOUT WINTER DAYS

Winter Trails Day is a national event to showcase the health benefits of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. These low-impact aerobic activities incorporate strength and endurance training, and can help people stay active and healthy throughout the winter months when other sports are impossible to pursue. More information is at www.wintertrails.org.

DRESSING FOR WINTER SPORTS

To enjoy winter sports, dress in layers with a windproof shell or parka as the top layer. Wear sturdy, waterproof winter boots. Snowshoe bindings are designed to strap on over regular boots. Rental ski packages including skis, boots and poles are available in advance from Berkshire Outfitters in Adams, MA, 413-743-5900, the Arcadian Shop 413-637-3010, Plaine’s: 413-499-0294, or from your local ski shop (EMS and Western Village rent cross-country skis in the Pioneer Valley). Notchview rents snowshoes but does not rent skis.

ABOUT NOTCHVIEW

Notchview is a property of The Trustees of Reservations located off of Route 9 in Windsor, MA.  Notchview’s 3,208 acres offer 40km of trails (28km groomed), of mostly single-track trails for classical skiing. Skate skiing is available on 10 km of groomed trail, and 2 km of trail are available for dog owners and multi-use. Snowshoe rentals are available for non-skiers, who can trek alongside the groomed tracks. Hot drinks and snacks are available at Notchview. Lunch is available from nearby stores or bring your own. Admission is free weekdays and $6 on weekends for members of The Trustees of Reservations and is $12 per day for non-members. For more information contact Notchview at http://www.notchview.org or 413-684-0148. Ski conditions are available from the Notchview phone or at www.xcski.org or www.xcskimass.com. Notchview is open daily from sunrise to sunset, year-round.  413-684-0148

– Submitted by Cynthia Sommer.