By Vicki Longhini
Reader Contributor
What do you get when you combine snow, a groomed trail, free cross country ski equipment and free cross country ski lessons? Sound too good to be true? 
It is true and it all happens at the Learn to Ski Free Day, held Saturday, Jan. 7, at the roundabout off Schweitzer Mountain Road.
If you find yourself thinking: “I should probably try to learn how to cross country ski. It would be easy on my joints and it would definitely improve my fitness,” this is your chance and it couldn’t be easier.
All you have to do is call the Schweitzer Mountain Ski and Ride Center at 208-255-3070 and sign up. There are three teaching sessions on Jan. 7, so it’s easy to find a time slot that fits into your schedule.
The ski lessons are held on a beginner-friendly trail groomed by Schweitzer, and the friendly Sandpoint Nordic Club volunteers will help you fit your equipment and teach you the basics of classic or skate skiing.
Classic skiing is usually the easiest for folks to learn. The skis we use to teach have fish scales on the bottom, so it makes it easy for the skiers to kick and glide in the groomed tracks. Skate skiing is a little tougher for beginners to learn, but we always have a lot of skiers who want to learn this technique.
The Learn to Ski Free Day is always a fun community event where Schweitzer Mountain resort and the Sandpoint Nordic Club team up to introduce Nordic skiing to almost 200 newbies. I get pretty excited seeing all the new skiers having fun learning a new sport, and one that I appreciate so much. If you like to exercise, love to be outdoors, appreciate snow and are looking for some winter cross-training, Nordic skiing is one of the best forms of exercise you can do.
Learn to Ski Free Day is part of a national “Winter Trails” celebration. This month-long celebration of trails is an effort to encourage people to discover the great fitness and social benefits of snowshoeing and cross country skiing. These two winter sports are perfect for families and groups to do together while getting some exercise. The Learn to Ski Free day on Jan. 7 is the kick-off to this celebration.
There are many ways to describe cross country skiing. It’s truly a sport that transcends the ages, where you can see kids as young as three years to folks in their 80s doing the same sport.
Nordic skiing is a sport where you can get close to nature and go exploring; you can go easy, or push hard; there is always a guarantee of fresh air and scenery; and it’s a sport you can do all your life.
Join us on Jan. 7! Find more details at www.sandpointnordic.com or [email protected].
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