March 7, 2012
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Hudson Valley - Norrie Point and Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Centers
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Adirondacks - Camp Santanoni
- Central New York - Rogers Environmental Education Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing originated hundreds of years ago, often as a means of daily transportation. Today, it is a popular wintertime sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There are numerous cross-country centers in all areas of New York State, but a backyard or nearby park is a great place to learn.
Ski centers and shops often rent equipment-a good option for beginners. The equipment is simple-cross-country skis equipped with bindings to attach the boots to the skis, cross-country ski boots, and cross-country ski poles. Get help from a professional to select the proper length of skis and poles and guidance on whether or not to choose skis which must be waxed.
Wear layers of clothing when cross-country skiing, because you get quite a workout. Stay away from cotton fabrics-choose fabrics that wick away moisture and retain body heat. Start with short trips, even skiing around the backyard until you get the hang of it. Some instructors recommend children start learning on flat areas without using ski poles. Once they can comfortably balance on their skis, they can begin using poles.
Avoid injury by going slowly and not using trails that are too difficult. Start on trails in flat, open areas before attempting hills, whether going up or down. Slopes in either direction can be tricky if you haven't mastered skiing on flat areas and controlling your skis. Remember you are using more muscles than usual-make sure you have enough energy for the return trip. Cross-country ski centers have well-groomed trails, which are much easier to use than creating your own trail in fresh, deep snow.
DEC's Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center and nature centers throughout the state hold learn-to-ski programs throughout the winter.
Tips for Skiing with Kids
Make it fun: If kids get cold, they won't find skiing fun. Make sure they wear appropriate clothing. During your trek, stop occasionally to look for signs of wildlife, or lie down and make snow angels. The promise of hot chocolate is a great motivator for the return trip.
Keep it short: Adults may want to complete a whole trail during an outing, but younger kids can only last about an hour, depending upon the terrain. Don't forget that loops around the backyard can quickly add up-in both exercise and experience.
Make it an adventure: Bring other kids along. Have races or treasure hunts, or look for obstacle courses along the way to make the trip more adventurous. Kids like skiing downhill, and they won't mind learning the herringbone step as much (walking uphill with skis tips pointed out, sort of like a duck walk) if they want to race a friend back uphill. Challenge kids, too, to see how far they can glide on only one ski.
Learn more about cross-country skiing on DEC TV.
Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery.
Subscribe to Conservationist magazine-New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles.
Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife pages.
Family Fun
Here are a few games to play on cross-country skis in your backyard or park. It makes learning some of the basic steps a lot more fun!
Simon Says…Ski!
Get a group together, and set up poles or cones in a straight line about five yards apart. Make the course any length you want. The leader, "Simon," stands at the end of the course and directs skiers to move forward through the poles/cones to the left or right. Space the skiers about five seconds apart. After a skier reaches Simon, he or she should head back to the start, outside the course lines. Add variety by having Simon tell participants to ski without poles or with only one ski, or in any other ways you can imagine.
Ski Chain
Most cross-country ski trails are big loops, so you must climb the same slope you skied down. Kids love to ski downhill, but it is a lot of work to get back up the incline. To make it fun, teach them how to step sideways. Form groups of three to five skiers each. Set up a row of cones, each about five yards apart. Have a skier stand at each cone. The first skier steps sideways to the first cone and interlocks arms with the second skier. Those two skiers step sideways to the next cone and interlock arms with the third skier, and so on. Once all the skiers are part of the chain, they all step sideways back to the first cone.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Programs at Stony Kill are now offered by the Stony Kill Foundation (link leaves DEC's website); there are no DEC education staff at the site due to fiscal constraints.
Open Barn Tour
Saturdays and Sundays, March 10, 11, 17 and 18 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Norrie Point Environmental Center
Discover Norrie: Woodpeckers
Saturday, March 10 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Family Fun: Full Moon Walk
Friday, March 9 at 7:00 PM
Parents and children must accompany each other. Call 518-475-0291 by Tuesday, March 5 to register.
Teacher Workshop: Project Wild
Saturday, March 10 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
This interactive workshop will introduce instructional activities which integrate wildlife themes into the core disciplines. Participants will receive a free Project WILD K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide full of hands-on activities which correlate to NYS learning standards. Call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, March 7 to register.
Family Fun: Make a Bird House
Saturday, March 10 at 2:00 PM
Parents and children must accompany each other. Call 518-475-0291 by Friday, March 2 to register. Bring a hammer.
Family Fun: Maple Sugar Open House
Saturday, March 17 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Organized groups are welcome but must call 518-475-0291 to register.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (This link leaves DEC's website)
Terrific Turtles
Saturday, March 18 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Call 518-456-0655 or go the Albany Pine Bush website to register. Cost: $3.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (This link leaves DEC's website)
Adirondacks
Camp Santanoni
Winter Weekend at Camp Santanoni, Newcomb
Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18
Cross-country skiers and snowshoers will have access to camp properties to rest and view interpretative displays.
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Programs at Rogers are now offered by the Friends of Rogers (link leaves DEC's website); there are no DEC education staff at the site due to fiscal constraints.
Full Moon Member Night
Thursday, March 8 at 7:00 PM
For all members and those interested in becoming members.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After-School Escape
Thursdays, March 8 and 15 at 4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K through 5. No registration required.
Advanced Skiing
Thursday, March 8 at 6:30 PM
Experienced cross-country skiers are invited to join us on this guided ski tour. Ski rental = $4.00 per person; Friends of Reinstein members = $2.00. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to register.
Full Moon Walk
Friday, March 9 at 8:00 PM
Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to register.
Project WILD Workshop
Saturday, March 10 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Project WILD is an award-winning environmental education program for teachers and youth leaders of K through 12 students. Participants will receive a Project WILD Curriculum and Activity Guide with more than 100 lesson plans. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to register.
Cross-Country Ski Tour
Sunday, March 11 at 1:00 PM
Ski rentals are just $4 per pair. For adults and children ages 10 and older. Ski rental = $4.00 per person; Friends of Reinstein members = $2.00. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to register.
Frogwatch USA Volunteer Training
Tuesday, March 13 at 6:30 PM
Participate in this training program, and volunteer to help monitor the frogs and toads here at Reinstein Woods. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to register.
Turkey Courting
Saturday, March 17 at 10:30 AM
Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to register.
Spring Equinox Night Walk
Tuesday, March 20 at 7:00 PM
Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to register.