September 28, 2011 (West Yellowstone, Montana) – Everyone is invited to West Yellowstone, Montana Nov. 22-26 for the Yellowstone Ski Festival, a week-long celebration of cross-country skiing. Each year thousands of skiers, from Olympic athletes to first timers, descend on this small mountain town to make their first tracks of the season over the Thanksgiving holiday on perfectly groomed corduroy.

The Yellowstone Ski Festival offers a diverse schedule of events, with one to five day Nordic ski clinics offered throughout the week. Classic and skate specific options, as well as multi-day combination clinics, provide an opportunity for all skiers to kick-start their season on the Rendezvous Ski Trails. West Yellowstone will also host the USSA SuperTour opener, beginning with the “Sprint Showdown,” on Wednesday, Nov. 23. The 10/15 kilometer freestyle race and 5/10 kilometer classic race will happen on Friday and Saturday. A “Try Biathlon Day” will be held on Nov.22, and Biathlon Sprint on Nov. 23.

Skiers will have the chance to test skis, boots, bindings, poles and wax at the On Snow Gear Demo. New this year, the “Passport Program” will enter skiers who demo gear from all participating companies and attended one evening wax clinic into a drawing for a $750 gift certificate to their choice of local ski shops Freeheel & Wheel, Bud Lilly’s, or Altius Handcrafted Firearms. Second and third prizes will also be awarded. The festivities continue after dark at the Indoor Expo, where skiers may visit with company representatives, fine tune ski prep techniques at wax clinics, and enjoy a variety of lectures, presentations and films. The expo will be held at the Yellowstone Ski Festival’s headquarters, the Holiday Inn.

Bring the whole family; there are plenty of options for kids. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center has scheduled daily activities and family-friendly evening presentations include the Backcountry Film Festival, a Birds of Prey exhibit featuring live raptors, a hands-on lecture from the National Park Service, and a good, old-fashioned s’more party. Let the Yellowstone Ski Festival become a new Thanksgiving tradition.

Think snow and make plans now to attend the 2011 Yellowstone Ski Festival. For more information, clinic registration, or to find out about early trail pass discounts, visit www.yellowstoneskifestival.com.

December 16, 2010 (Burlington, VT) – The Catamount Trail Association has a great line-up of winter events for you to participate in this season, including a Ladies Nordic Ski Expo, the Catamount Trail Outdoor Winter Photography Workshop, and the Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival. Read on for more details and how to register.

Ladies Nordic Ski Expo – January 8th at the Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT
If you are a woman and want to learn or improve your classic, skate, or backcountry technique, you wont find a better way to spend a winter day. This all-day clinic features some of the best women instructors in the East, helping you to fine tune your technique or teach you the basics of the sport. The day consists of three ski sessions, lunch, a backcountry slide show presentation by author David Goodman, and a wine and cheese social to top off a perfect day. This event is almost full with just 8 spots left to fill. Visit www.CatamountTrail.org or call 802-864-5794 to register or for more information.

Catamount Trail Outdoor Winter Photography Workshop – Jan 14-16th at the Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT
Whether you are a passionate amateur photographer or an aspiring professional, well-known photographers Emily Johnson and Brian Mohr will give you all the tips and techniques needed to get the most out of your winter photos. Brian and Emily will lead participants on skis or snowshoes to the virgin snow of the backcountry to shoot everything from landscape to action photography under their experienced guidance. This two-day workshop will cover the following subjects:

– Winter Light – Being comfortable and creative with winter’s challenging and ever-changing light;
– Creative Compositions – Exploring focus, perspective, and composition with a variety of winter scenes;
– Exposure – Understanding and balancing shutter speed, aperture and ISO;
– Camera Handling – Tricks to making winter photography easy in the face of winter’s elements;
– Advanced Techniques – Action; Night/low-light; Macro-photography; Tri-pod use;
– Digital Workflow – Advice on how to store, organize, protect, process and display your photographs.

The workshop will include lodging, meals, and trail pass. Visit www.CatamountTrail.org or call 802-864-5794 to register or for more information.

Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival – Jan 23rd at Bolton Valley Resort,VT
Designed for beginner to intermediate backcountry skiers, this popular full day event will promise to be another sell-out. Learn from expert backcountry instructors as they take you through a wide range of skills designed to improve everything from your telemark turns to maneuvering in unbroken powder. Try out demo skis, listen to talks on equipment and safety, and enjoy the end of the day social gathering with refreshments. The clinic includes instruction, trail pass, demo tryouts, and drinksl. Visit www.CatamountTrail.org or call 802-864-5794 to register or for more information.