December 17, 2003 -The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) will join SnowSports Industries America (SIA) to celebrate Winter Trails Day by sponsoring a free winter sports clinic on January 17, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen, Virginia. SIA and its member companies will provide snowshoeing gear to participants free of charge. Winter sports instructors and fitness professionals will teach families, children, adults and school groups about the basic skills of snowshoeing, proper winter dress and the health and fitness benefits of snowshoeing. Guided hikes, tours and seminars will be provided at no cost throughout the day to explain and promote the health and social benefits of physical activity and fitness.

Winter Trails is part of SIA's new initiative, 'Winter Feels Good' (www.winterfeelsgood.com), launched in September to educate people of all ages and abilities about winter sports and equipment, offer guidance on nutrition and skills and promote resorts participating in the program. Various clinics will be offered including: conditioning exercises to help prepare for winter outdoor activities; choosing appropriate boots and snowshoes; nutrition tips for a day out in winter chills; and a general session about other winter sports, such as alpine skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing.

Winter Trails Day, an annual event organized by SIA and the American Hiking Society, is a national initiative providing a free day of snowshoeing to encourage Americans of all ages to try outdoor and winter sports. Information about other locations observing Winter Trails Day nationwide is available at www.wintertrails.org.

The President's Challenge recently launched a new interactive Web site (www.presidentschallenge.org), a tool to help children, teens, and adults build a regular physical activity routine by tracking progress toward earning Presidential awards for active lifestyles and physical fitness. Many winter sports, including snowshoeing, may be counted toward a President's Challenge award.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, virtually all people can benefit from regular physical activity. It is estimated that inactive lifestyles are associated with 300,000 preventable deaths each year in the United States. Health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle – including overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes – cost the nation nearly $250 billion annually. “Winter sports provide a wonderful opportunity to have fun and stay healthy,” said Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. “From snowshoeing to cross country touring to alpine skiing and snowboarding, the outdoors provides one of the best classrooms for staying active and fit. We are pleased to be working with SIA's Winter Feels Good program. We hope to educate more Americans about the joy of winter sports.”

Sponsors of the clinic include: the American Hiking Society, Atlas Snowshoes, Backpacker Magazine, Clif Bar, MSR, Redfeather Snowshoes, Tubbs Snowshoes, the United States Snowshoe Association and W.L. Gore & Associates.  “Winter Trails is designed to show how easy it is to go outside in winter, exercise and feel good about staying fit,” said David Ingemie, president of SIA. “In particular, this event draws attention to snowshoeing, a low-impact, aerobic workout, that incorporates strength and endurance training. We look forward to working with the President's Council to make a difference in the health of the nation.”  “Winter Feels Good” is the clearinghouse for information about the health, fitness and social aspects of winter sports. SIA is the national, nonprofit, member-owned trade association of more than 600 competing snow sports product manufacturers, suppliers and distributors working together to promote and develop the snow sports industry. For more information, go to <Leave a Reply

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