Ski buffs will have an opportunity to ski America's longest Nordic trail-the 480-kilometre-long Catamount Trail-all in one season. The Catamount Trail Association will stage an event dubbed Tour the Length of Vermont on Skis, beginning on Jan. 30, 2003. There will be a total of 29 individual day segments and two scheduled rest days before the event concludes on March 1. The event will begin at the Massachusetts border and conclude at the Canadian border. Daily segments range from approximately 10 to 24 kilometres. The trail is generally intended for intermediate skiers, but there are some portions that contain steep climbs and challenging descents. Participants are welcome to join the tour for a single day, several segments, or the entire tour. Daily segments will be led by volunteers familiar with the area and tour route. Each day, skiers will hook up at a pre-determined meeting point before heading out to the trails. All participants are responsible for their own equipment and food. For those embarking on the entire tour, Catamount Trail officials will, if necessary, help arrange accommodations during the event. A daily shuttle van will also be available to transport those who are skiing the entire tour, as well as their equipment, to their evening's accommodations. Those who take advantage of the shuttle must, however, pay some van expenses. Pre-register by contacting the Catamount Trail Association at 802-864-5794; www.catamounttrail.org.