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January is try a winter sport month

Montpelier, Vermont - January 9, 2010

Thousands of Vermonters hit the trails for free Saturday.

Governor Douglas has proclaimed January "try a new winter sport month" and area ski centers are offering free clinics and trail passes to celebrate.

Thousands of people took advantage of National Winter Trails day. Thirteen cross country ski centers in Vermont celebrated the event by offering free ski clinics, rentals and in some cases even free trail passes.

"An awful lot of people are now doing snowshoeing and cross country skiing right out of their backdoors, so it's not an expensive way to get out and enjoy the outdoors when so many people are looking at what to do in the Winter time," said Vermont Tourism Commissioner Bruce Hyde.

"It's a great thing to do in the Winter. Days are short, it's cold, but it's a fun social activity," said Liz Hollenbach at Bolton Valley Resort.

The third annual event coincides with Learn a Snow Sport month.

The Governor made the proclamation to try and state businesses that rely on the white stuff. Vermont remains the third largest ski and snowboard state in the nation, hosting over four million skier visits each year. 80-percent of those visits are by out of staters.

"And not only is it good for tourism, it's a great family activity, a great way to enjoy our own back yard, a community activity that's not only fun, but healthy," said Jen Butson of Ski Vermont.

"I've been here 15 years but haven't been on skies, so I don't think a lot of Vermonters take advantage of the opportunities," said Emily Spence, who went skiing for the first time.

Keagan Harsha - WCAX TV