| Travel patterns are changing in the recessionary | | | | along for the ride in a backpack or sled. Cross |
| environment. Vacations are closer to home. Travelers | | | | country skiing is a kinder, gentler sport for |
| are demanding a greater value for the dollar. Leisure | | | | grandparents and great grandparents. Teenagers |
| time has become a serious investment in | | | | who want to go fast can skate ski, a technique that |
| rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul. Cross | | | | combines the leg motion of ice skating and the arm |
| country skiing vacations are becoming more popular | | | | push of cross country skiing. If Fido is considered a |
| because they match these trends. | | | | member of the family. There are designated dog |
| Nordic Ski Resorts are reporting up to a 10% | | | | trails and the family pet is welcome in the |
| increase in advance reservations for Nordic ski | | | | canine-friendly guest rooms. |
| vacations this winter season. Says Maine's Bethel Inn | | | | HEALTHY-Cross country skiing is one of the |
| Resort's marketing director, Brad Jerome, "There are | | | | healthiest recreational activities for the body and soul. |
| five reasons more of our guests are choosing a | | | | Absorbing the beauty of nature with its towering |
| cross country ski getaway-ease, accessibility, family | | | | trees, mountain vistas, or endless snow covered |
| friendliness, health and above all affordability." | | | | meadows while experiencing a total body workout, all |
| EASE-Cross country skiing uses natural movements. | | | | at an individual pace, is hard to duplicate in any other |
| It does not require special skills to get started. It has | | | | sport. A 150 lb. cross country skier burns an average |
| a short learning curve. Vacation time is spent on the | | | | of 572 calories per hour compared to 429 for a |
| trails rather than in lessons. Skiers can ski at their | | | | downhill skier. |
| own pace, setting their own hours and even ski into | | | | AFFORDABILITY-Compared with other winter |
| the night with the help of a full moon or battery | | | | vacations, a cross country ski escape costs much |
| powered-headlamps. | | | | less. The price of a night's lodging in a deluxe room |
| ACCESSIBILITY-Many resorts are less than a tank of | | | | with fireplace, breakfast and dinner daily, Nordic |
| gasoline from metropolitan areas and within an hour | | | | center trail fee, rental equipment and an hour lesson |
| and ½ of major airports. | | | | is around $125 per person versus over $200 per |
| FAMILY FRIENDLY-Cross country skiing is a | | | | person for alpine skiing. |
| multi-generational activity. Infants and toddlers can go | | | | |