President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Partners with SIA to Celebrate Winter Trails Day

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) will partner with SnowSports Industries America (SIA) to celebrate Winter Trails Day by sponsoring a free winter sports clinic (date and location TBD). SIA and its member companies will provide snowshoeing gear to participants.

Winter sports instructors and fitness professionals will teach families and school groups about the basic skills of snowshoeing, proper winter dress and the health and fitness benefits of exercising with snowshoes. Guided hikes, tours and seminars will be provided at no cost throughout the day to explain and promote the health and social benefits of physical activity and fitness.

Winter Trails is part of SIA's new initiative, 'Winter Feels Good', started in September to educate people of all ages and abilities about winter sports and equipment, offer guidance on nutrition and skills and promote resorts participating in the program. Various clinics will be offered including: conditioning exercises to help prepare for winter outdoor activities; choosing appropriate winter boots and snowshoes; nutrition tips for a day out in winter chills; and a general session about other winter sports, such as alpine and nordic skiing and snowboarding.

Winter Trails Day, an annual event organized by SIA and the American Hiking Society, is a national initiative providing a free day of snowshoeing to encourage Americans of all ages to try outdoor and winter sports.

The President's Challenge recently launched a web site that serves as a tool to help children, teens, and adults build a regular physical activity routine by tracking progress toward earning Presidential awards for active lifestyles and physical fitness. Many winter sports, including snowshoeing, may be counted toward a President's Challenge award.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, virtually all people can benefit from regular physical activity. It is estimated that inactive lifestyles are associated with 300,000 preventable deaths each year in the United States. Health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle - including overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes - cost the United States nearly $250 billion annually. "Winter sports provide a wonderful opportunity to have fun and stay healthy," said Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. "From snowshoeing to cross country touring to alpine skiing and snowboarding, the outdoors provides one of the best classrooms for staying active and fit. We are pleased to be working with SIA's Winter Feels Good program. We hope to educate more Americans about the joy of winter sports."

Sponsors of the clinic include: the American Hiking Society, Tubbs Snowshoes, Backpacker Magazine, Clif Bar, MSR Snow Shoes, Redfeather Snowshoes, Atlas Snowshoes, the United States Snowshoe Association and W.L. Gore & Associates.

"Winter Trails is designed to show how easy it is to go outside in winter, exercise and feel good about staying fit," said David Ingemie, president of SIA. "In particular, this event draws attention to snowshoeing, a low-impact, aerobic workout, that incorporates strength and endurance training. We look forward to working with the President's Council to make a difference in the health of the nation."

"Winter Feels Good" is a clearinghouse for information about the health, fitness and social aspects of winter sports. SIA is the national, nonprofit, member-owned trade association of more than 600 competing snowsports product manufacturers, suppliers and distributors working together to promote and develop the industry of snow sports.