January 22, 2013 (McLean, VA) – The 18th annual Winter Trails Day experienced a very strong turnout at many locations this month. With good snow conditions in many areas of the country and a greater consumer interest in low impact exercise, final numbers are trending above 11,000.

Winter Trails: 11,000 participants in 2013 © Winter Trails

With the exception of bitter cold in Colorado and pockets of extended warm weather in the Midwest and New England, many event attendance numbers are sharply up over the past two-year average.

“The timing was right on,” stated Reese Brown, Winter Trails administrator, “After last year’s light snowfall and the late start to this year, there was a large group of underserved people ready to get out in the snow,” added Brown.

Final numbers are still being tallied, but it appears the program received positive gains over the previous years. Winter Trails continues to fill a need of enticing families and individuals to try snow sports.

Response from attendees around the country was very positive, not only on the event experience, but also on the sports themselves. “It was a completely new experience for all of us, and we fell in love,” said Rue Mapp, an attendee at the Tahoe Donner, Calif. event. This sentiment was echoed in many regions as those new to snow sports tried cross country skiing or snowshoeing.

Each year, Winter Trails is held in early January and offers children and adults the opportunity to try either or both activities free at participating locations throughout the United States. Venues are posted HERE. Check out the website to see the few events scheduled later in the winter season.