Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month Offers Learning Programs and Incentives During January 2012

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month Offers Learning
Programs and Incentives During January 2012

LAKEWOOD, CO (January 3, 2012) - Snow and colder temperatures are returning to many parts of the country and the fourth annual Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) is in full swing with free and reasonably-priced learning programs for newcomers during January. Ski and snowboard areas and Nordic centers from coast to coast are participating. Details are listed on skiandsnowboardmonth.org. The LSSM initiative encourages children and adults to learn how to ski and/or snowboard by taking lessons from professional instructors.   

Governors Mark Dayton of Minnesota, Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania, Susana Martinez of New Mexico and John Kitzhuber of Oregon all have declared January Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in their states and more are expected.

The International Ski Federation (FIS), based in Geneva, Switzerland, has designated January 22 as World Snow Day. The FIS is the official governing body for ski and snowboard racing.

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month supports the First Lady's Let's Move and Let's Move Outside campaigns. The LSSM initiative includes an opportunity for children and adults to earn a Presidential Lifestyle Achievement Award from the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition by going skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or cross country skiing. A 130-pound adult can burn 350 calories or more per hour skiing or snowboarding at a moderate pace.  

New for 2012:
Organizers of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month are partnering in 2012 with the U.S. Forest Service. There are 122 ski and snowboard areas located on Forest Service land. Alpine skiing is the second most popular recreational activity on Forest Service land after hiking

In addition to a wide selection of learning programs, organizers are offering numerous products from snow sports suppliers including HEAD Wintersports, Boulder Gear, Snow Dragons, Hotronic, Icelantic, Icebreaker, Polarmax, Seirus, Snowboards.net and Gearing to Go. All are part of the Great Products Drawing located on the LSSM website.

Online retailers, Skis.com and Snowboards.net, will give individuals who take a lesson during January a gift card good for up to $50 based on the cost of the lesson. Ski Utah and SKI magazine are sponsoring a Bring a Friend promotion for current participants who introduce a newcomer via lessons during January. If the newcomer sends in a valid receipt from the lesson, both parties are eligible to win a four-day trip to Utah including a day with an editor from SKI.  Resorts belonging to Ski Utah have a host of learning programs for locals during January. 

Offers for Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month are posted daily on the LSSM Web site in the LSSM Special Features section and News and Info. Two states - Maine and New Hampshire – are offering free lessons the second week of January.