Learn a Snow Sport Month Debuts in January, 2009 at Resorts in 22 States Nationwide

MCLEAN, Va., Dec 18, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Twenty-two states and more than two hundred ski and snowboard resorts are hosting learning programs during January 2009 -- Learn a Snow Sport Month. It's the first time that this many organizations have collaborated on the initiative. Children and adults who want to learn a snow sport or want to improve their skills are encouraged to take a lesson from a professional ski or snowboard instructor who is trained to teach proper technique. A listing of participating resorts can be found at WinterFeelsGood.com. Offers vary depending on the state and individual resorts. Most learning programs charge a reasonable fee for lessons, lift tickets and/or equipment for alpine ski or snowboard lessons.

Winter Trails, a FREE learn to snowshoe or cross country ski program, is part of Learn a Snow Sport Month. Eighty Nordic Centers, alpine resorts with Nordic trails, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service lands will host Winter Trails events on Saturday, January 10, 2009, while a few venues are hosting the program on alternative dates. Equipment and basic instruction is provided. Visit WinterTrails.org for more information.

Participating in snow sports can contribute to one's health because they offer opportunities to get outside in winter for exercise, according to SnowSports Industries America (SIA), a national nonprofit trade association for snow sports suppliers. A 110-pound student can burn nearly 300 calories alpine skiing or snowboarding and nearly 400 calories per hour snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Alpine skiing and snowboarding are considered anaerobic activities, while snowshoeing and cross country skiing are aerobic, with an ability to increase heart rates due to vigorous movement.

For media information, contact Mary Jo Tarallo at (703) 506-4202 (office), (202) 431-6950 (cell) or by e-mail at MJTarallo@snowsports.org.