Winter Trails Day is for Every Body: Adaptive Nordic Lessons Available at Rikert Nordic Center

Winter Trails Day is a tradition in Vermont that encourages the community to get outdoors and enjoy winter in all its glory with the help of free lessons and passes at Nordic and snowshoe resorts. This year outreach expands beyond the traditional skier and snowshoer to aspiring athletes working against the odds. On Saturday, January 12, 2013 Rikert Nordic Center will be working with the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association to host demos and lessons in adaptive Nordic skiing from 11:30 -2:00pm. 

“Accessing the Vermont woods in winter via Nordic trails means so much to me,” said NDAA founder and Nordic sit-skier, Patrick Standen. “Being able to share that experience with other Vermonters means even more and it fits in with the mission of the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness wonderfully.” 

A collection of adapted sit-skis paired with trained instructors will be available at Rikert Nordic Center throughout the day from 11:30 to 2:00 PM.  Space and equipment is limited so reservations are preferred although Rikert staff may be able to assist you after the scheduled times. Please call NDAA at 802-862-NDAA (6322) or the Rikert Touring Center at 802-443-2744for details or to register.

“People of all ages, shapes and abilities can be physically active throughout the year, and Vermont's winter landscape provides ample opportunity to get moving,” said Governor’s Council Chair, Janet Franz. “Nordic skiing and snowshoeing are fun to do and great exercise, and there are so many beautiful places in Vermont to do it. With free trail passes and lessons, we hope to encourage everyone to move more in the snow.”

Winter Trails:
Winter Trails Day is a national program endorsed by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness that encourages children and adults to discover the great fitness and social benefits of these fun, easy-to-learn winter sports.

Winter Trails Day events in Vermont, on Saturday, January 12, 2013:

• Blueberry Hill, Goshen
• Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center, Grafton
• Ole’s Cross Country Center, Waitsfield
• Rikert Nordic Center, Ripton
• Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Jeffersonville
• Strafford Nordic Center, Strafford

For more information on Winter Trails Day and contact information for participating ski areas, visit http://www.snowlink.com/wintertrails.aspx.

Adaptive Ski Programs:
NDAA is a non-profit sports organization that provides athletes with physical disabilities the opportunities to engage in recreational and competitive sports. Based in Burlington, VT they offer numerous adaptive sports throughout Vermont including sled hockey, power soccer, wheelchair basketball, sailing, biathlon and Nordic sit-skiing NDAA also has ongoing Nordic sit-ski rental and lessons through Williston’s Catamount Outdoor Center.

Upcoming Adaptive Events in Vermont:

• January 12-13 - TD Bank Eastern Cup / NEARS (XC), at Mountain Top, Chittenden, VT
• January 20- Stowe's Tour de Snow/ Adaptive XC and biathlon, Stowe Rec Path, Stowe, VT
• February 2nd NDAA Nordic Sit Ski Clinic and 1 KM race, Catamount
  Family Outdoor Center, Williston, VT
• February 15-16 - Middlebury Carnival / NEARS (XC), at Ripton, VT
• February 24 Citizens Race, Rikert, Ripton, VT

For more information on adaptive opportunities and events, please visit: www.disabledathletics.org