February 10, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) – Explore the Nordic trails in British Columbia and win a prize in BC Nordic’s “Nuts for Nordic” photo contest. It’s simple: hit the trails, click, upload and vote for your favourite photos. Running all winter season until March 31st, the online “Nuts for Nordic” photo contest gives outdoor enthusiasts a chance to win “The Ultimate Nordic Winter Getaway in BC” prize package. This year’s “Best Photo” prize winner will receive a $1450 Nordic getaway in Whistler, BC. The photo that garners the “Most Votes” online will receive the “Yeti Snowshoe and Silver Star XC Weekend Warrior Combo Pack.” Over $3000 worth of prizes are up for grabs.

“British Columbia offers an abundance of outdoor Nordic recreation experiences, from backcountry skiing in Northern BC, to superb cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through old-growth cedar forests in the Callaghan Valley near Whistler,” said Rob Bernhardt, president of BC Nordic Marketing Society. “Incredible cross-country ski terrain is found throughout the province, which in total has more than 1000 km of world-class trails at designated ski areas. The unique destinations located throughout British Columbia have inspired these prize packages and are sure to inspire great photo opportunities too.”

Outdoor enthusiasts are only required to get out there and enjoy Nordic trails anywhere in British Columbia and upload their Nordic activity photos: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or backcountry skiing HERE. All contest entrants automatically have a chance to win weekly prize giveaways – from toques to trail passes – from top Nordic gear suppliers and retailers.

Highlights of “The Ultimate Nordic Winter Getaway in BC” package for two people, courtesy Tourism Whistler includes:

– Three nights lodging at the deluxe Aava Whistler Hotel
– Discover Cross-country Skiing package at Whistler’s Lost Lake Nordic Trails
– Discover Snowshoeing Tour at Ski Callaghan (Whistler Olympic Park)
– $100 dinner certificate at an award winning Whistler restaurant.

Contest updates and weekly prize winners will be announced on BC Nordic’s Facebook page. All entrants are eligible to win a random weekly prize from Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area, Deep Cove Outdoors, Fischer, icebreaker, Halti, MEC, Norona Life, Salomon, Sigge’s, SportHill, Sun Peaks Resort, The Yeti XC, SkiTrax and Swix.

The first prize, “Best Photo”, will be judged by a panel of judges, including Mountain Life photo editor and publisher Todd Lawson. The second prize, “Most Votes”, will be awarded to the photo that receives the most online votes. Photos can be taken anywhere in British Columbia. Details about Nordic ski areas can be found on the Where to Ski and Stay page on www.bcnordic.com. For complete contest details, prize information, entry and voting rules click HERE. Contest closes March 31, 2011.

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.