Winter Trails Day Events- Lower Michigan

snowshoeing at Bowman Lake (photo by JHY)

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from Winter Trails

Winter Trails 2010 is set for January 9, 2010. Entering its 15th year, the event offers children and adults who are new to snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing and cross country skiing for FREE, and to discover the great fitness and social benefits with these easy-to-learn winter sports.

In Lower Michigan, the following events are registered:

Glen Arbor- FREE Nordic Walking Lessons and FREE Nordic Walking Pole Rentals will be provided on Winter Trails Day. The focus will be on Nordic Walking, while other supporting locations will be promoting other Nordic Sports. Nordic Walking, Nordic Skiing (cross country) and Nordic Snowshoeing are wonderful ways for children and adults to discover the many wonderful fitness and social benefits of enjoying winter. See Skiwalking.com

Roscommon- Events all day- preregistration required. 10:30: X-C Ski & Snowshoe clinic. 11:10: Go on a tour to Trappers Cabin for Hot Dogs, bonfire and Hot Cocoa. Noon - 3 PM: Skiers are invited to relax in front of the Fireplace in the Stone Turtle Day Lodge. 3 PM Draw registrants names from hat for prizes. See Cross Country Ski Headquarters

Thompsonville: Crystal Mountain- FREE two-hour rental and trail pass along with introductory lesson. Available 1-7pm. Pre-registration required. See Crystal Mountain

Graying: Hartwick Pines- This will be a snowshoeing event: free snowshoe rentals, demonstrations, guided hikes, clinics and children's activities.Food concessions and hot beverages and campfires to warm-up at also. See Hartwick Pines State Park

Glen Arbor: See The Homestead

Bellaire: Shanty Creek- Free snowshoe and cross country rentals, free group ski lessons, free trail passes. Advance registration required for free rentals and trail passes. $5 fee for rentals and/or trail passes without advance registration. Group lessons at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. See Shanty Creek

Traverse City: TART & VASA- Ski lessons and rentals need to be reserved in advance. See Traverse Trails

See Michigan Winter Trails Day Events
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Free Nordic Lessons- Winter Trails Day

Nordic walking (photo from Ski-Walking)

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a news release of Ski Walking

Winter Trails Day offers children and adults new to snow sports the chance to try Nordic walking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing for free, and to discover the great fitness and social benefits with these easy-to-learn winter sports. The American Nordic Walking System and SkiWalking.com will offer Free Nordic Walking Classes and free Nordic Walking Pole Rentals on Winter Trails Day, Saturday, January 9, 2010.

Free Nordic walking lessons and free Nordic walking pole rentals will be hosted in celebration of Winter Trails Day on January 9, 2010, in Glen Arbor, Michigan. Winter Trails Day is a national snowsports day. The free Nordic Walking Lessons and pole rentals will be provided by Glen Arbor’s www.skiwalking.com and the American Nordic Walking System.

The focus in Glen Arbor will be on Nordic Walking, while other supporting locations across the country will be promoting other Nordic Sports – including Nordic Skiing (cross country) and Nordic Snowshoeing. Nordic Walking, Nordic Skiing and Nordic snowshoeing (snowshoeing with poles) are all wonderful ways for children and adults to discover the many healthy fitness and social benefits of enjoying winter.

Nordic Walking is unique in that walking with specialized Nordic Walking Poles can be done in any climate and any time of year. Currently over 8 million Europeans are walking with poles – in the cities, out in the country and up in the mountains. Nordic Walking poles are equipped with durable metal tips for off-road use – grass, trails, the beach snow and ice. Nordic Walking poles are also designed to accept rubber tips/paws for use on pavement and other hard surfaces.

Walking with poles has been proven to burn up to 40% more calories than walking without poles. When using the perfect length poles and the correct technique the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back are radically reduced. Balance, stability and gait are also hugely improved.

Edwards has been teaching Nordic Walking classes all across the country and has received positive feedback from thousands of individuals of all ages and all fitness levels. Many participants in his classes refer to his user-friendly one-piece poles as "miracle sticks", but in reality, the success is all about biomechanics. Hosting Nordic Walking classes is extremely enjoyable for Edwards and he especially enjoys hosting Nordic Walking clinics for MS, Parkinson’s and Diabetes support groups, plus Wounded Warrior Programs. Edwards has proven that Nordic Walking is no longer just for expert skiers deprived of snow during the summer.

Edwards has proven repeatedly that his quality one-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking and flip-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. Almost daily Edwards hears stories about the many shortcomings of twist-lock and flip-lock poles. According to Nick Mahood, SWIX USA Nordic Walking Director, "Pete Edwards, The American Nordic Walking System and skiwalking.com's owner/founder/coach, has single handedly introduced thousands of Americans to Nordic Walking through his enthusiastic Nordic Walking clinics! I have no doubt that Edwards is the #1 retailer of Nordic Walking Poles in the USA! You can quote me on that!"

The free Nordic Walking lessons and pole rentals will be available from 10am –2pm on Saturday, January 9th. The home office of skiwalking.com and the American Nordic Walking System is located at 5873 South Lake Street in Glen Arbor. Advance reservations are not required, but appreciated.

See Ski-Walking
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Winter Trails Day - Events January 5, 12

Snowshoeing

Three Michigan locations will host Winter Trails Day events. All three feature a free day of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as part of the 13th annual national Winter Trails Day. Equipment and lessons are provided free of charge. Winter Trails Day is open to those of all ages and abilities. Pre-registration required to be sure of having equipment available in your size.

Cross-Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon (800-832-2663) is the anchor site for the state. It includes a X-Country ski clinic, X-C tour to Trappers Cabin for Hot Dogs, bonfire and Hot Cocoa. The afternoon is open for more skiing, or relaxing in front of the Fireplace in the Stone Turtle Day Lodge. Door Prizes awarded at 3 pm.

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville (231-378-2000, ext. 4000) will host its event from 1-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan 5.

Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire (800-678-4111, ext. 7158) will host theirs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 12.

Several other groups are also leading ski or snowshoe outings on these dates. See Events link below.

from Winter Trails Day, Michigan
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See Events