December 3, 2003 – W.L. Gore & Associates, inventors of GORE-TEX and WINDSTOPPER fabrics, has signed on as a national sponsor of SnowSports Industries America's (SIA) Winter Trails Day January 17, 2004, a free national program that introduces the public to snowshoeing. Consumers interested in trying snowshoeing can participate at one of 11 “super site” trail locations and 60 recently added Nordic Center members of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) that will serve as affiliate sites for Winter Trails Day in the U.S. and Canada.

Winter Trails Day, organized in conjunction with the American Hiking Society, is geared towards families, hikers and fitness walkers, recreational enthusiasts, school groups and youth organizations. Programs and activities will include the basics on getting started, how to dress, picking the right shoe and kids' activities.  Free guided hikes, tours and seminars will occur throughout the day at “super site” locations and opportunities to try snowshoeing will be available at the affiliate Nordic Centers.

Gore will have staff on hand at each of the “super site” events to offer tips on dressing properly for winter sports and to demonstrate Gore products including garments, gloves and footwear.

“Winter Trails® is a perfect venue for products such as WINDSTOPPER® N2S® (Next To Skin) garments and gloves and GORE-TEX® XCR® footwear. The comfort and lightweight breathability of all make them ideal for snowshoeing,” said Brian Gallagher, Gore marketing strategist.

The original 11 “super site” trail locations include: Weston Ski Track, Boston, Mass.; High Point Center, Sussex N.J.; Michigan Snowshoe Center, Roscommon, Mich.; Echo Lake, Idaho Springs, Colo.; Hope Valley Resort, Calif.; White Pine Touring, Park City, Utah; Snoqualmie Ski Area, Seattle, Wash.; Verizon Sports Complex, Lake Placid, NY.; Wintergreen Resort, VA.; and White River Snow Park, Portland, Ore.. A later event will also be held at Estes Park, Colo., on February 14, 2004. Each center will offer snowshoeing demos on a time-limited basis on their respective cross country ski trail networks in various locations throughout the U.S. The Nordic Center sites join 11 original Winter Trails® venues with day-long programs.

“We're excited about the opportunity to be part of Winter Trails®,” said Chris Frado, president of the CCSAA. “I feel confident that we can boost the number of Nordic Centers that participate in the program. We're going out with another push to get more on board.”