The Stowe Tour de Snow is growing outside its little village and proud to be working along side "January Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month". By joining hands with the Catamount Trail Association, the New England Nordic Ski Association and the Vermont Ski Museum, the event is gaining momentum and reaching out to as many groups of potential skiers as possible.  The event now also joins “January Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month”, a grass-roots, national initiative organized through a coalition of members of the U.S. snow sports industry. The goal is to encourage children and adults to learn skiing and snowboarding by taking lessons from professional instructors.

“From the beginning of its conception, the goal of the Stowe Tour de Snow has been to create a community recreational event on the Stowe Rec Path to unite and benefit as many people as possible:  Stowe residents of all ages, tourists and visitors, local and area businesses, adaptive athletes and now, hopefully all local and area children willing to give Nordic skiing a try,” says event organizer Pascale Savard.  “Working with all these dedicated and passionate people is so thrilling, and will make the Tour a perfect event for everyone:  dozens of fun games scattered along the Rec Path, food and drinks, free cross country ski equipment and instructions, prizes and raffles, snow... what better way to spend the day in Stowe?”

 In 2012, the Stowe Tour de Snow is providing Nordic ski equipment to the Stowe Schools.  The “Skiing Kids in Schools” program was recently introduced and will officially kick off on January 3rd when the students return to school.  30 sets of skis, boots and poles will be shared by students in grades 3-8 for eight weeks this winter.  The students will learn to cross country ski in the course of the regular Physical Education classes.  For those who already have the basics down, this will be an extra opportunity to refine skills and techniques under the care of professional Nordic coaches from Trapp Family Lodge.

 The same ski equipment will be available free of charge during the Stowe Tour de Snow.  All children are invited to borrow the skis for the day.  Visit www.stowetourdesnow.com for complete details. The Vermont Ski Museum will be organizing and running this effort as part of its affiliation with the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move and Let’s Move Outside initiatives.  Catamount Trail Association, a non-profit organization that protects, maintains, and manages a 300-mile long back-country ski trail the length of Vermont, will also be on hand with an extra 30 pairs of junior sized skis, boots, and poles. Volunteers from the CTA will be available to issue the free-of-cost demo equipment and provide Nordic ski instruction for beginners. Stowe Tour de Snow organizers hope that all 60 sets of equipment will be put to use by youngsters enjoying an exciting day out on the trails of Stowe.   Adult Nordic equipment can be rented at many locations in Stowe including Umiak Outfitters, Stowe Cross-Country Center, the Nordic Barn and Trapp Family Lodge.

 The New England Nordic Ski Association and Northeast Disabled Athletic Association will round up this nearly perfect picture by offering adaptive ski equipment and instructions to people with physical disabilities.  Between the two organizations, 20 sit skis and other adaptive equipment will be available for the day.  A great opportunity to try a new sport and get instructions from NENSA professionals. Check the webpage for complete details.  Lastly, save the date, Saturday, January 14th, 4-6pm for a "Meet and Greet" of our  guests adaptive athletes who will be at the Vermont SKi Museum displaying their equipment and chatting with all visitors.

The Stowe Tour de Snow will be held on the Stowe Rec Path on Sunday, January 15th from 10-2pm.  This event is made possible by the support of its many generous sponsors including MVP Health Care, Canopy Holdings, Concept2, and EverBank.