Cross Country Skiing

Last year's rain and warm temperatures washed out the annual Winter Trails Day showcase at Weston Ski Track, but the on-snow show that introduces cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to novices will go on. "We have a tremendous base of natural and man-made snow," said Weston manager Mark Jacobson. "Unless it is pouring rain, we will have the event. " More than 20 cross-country ski and snowshoe centers across New England are taking part in the national Winter Trails Day Saturday, designed to get newbies hooked on snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with free lessons, tours, and gear...

Sweden's Ida Ingemarsdotter won an individual World Cup cross-country race or the first time Saturday, beating Sprint Cup leader Kikkan Randall of the United States by 0.2 seconds. In the men's race, Norway's Eirik Brandsal took advantage of a mistake by Russia's Alexey Petukhov to capture a freestyle sprint at Parco Sempione. Randall was clearly tired after last Sunday's grueling climb up Mount Cermis. Norway's Maiken Caspersen Falla was third, 1.3 seconds behind Ingemarsdotter.

Sweden's Ida Ingemarsdotter won an individual World Cup cross-country race or the first time Saturday, beating Sprint Cup leader Kikkan Randall of the United States by 0.2 seconds. In the men's race, Norway's Eirik Brandsal took advantage of a mistake by Russia's Alexey Petukhov to capture a freestyle sprint at Parco Sempione. Randall was clearly tired after last Sunday's grueling climb up Mount Cermis. Norway's Maiken Caspersen Falla was third, 1.3 seconds behind Ingemarsdotter.

Just because there may not be snow in your backyard doesn't mean you can't get out to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing as part of Saturday's national Winter Trails Day. Cross-country centers across the country, including many in New England, such as Weston Ski Track at the Leo J. Martin Golf Course, are taking part in the program, which introduces the sports to the masses at a free or reduced rate. "Let people know we have snow," Kevin Horner, Weston's assistant manger and cross-country ski instructor, said yesterday.

MINNEAPOLIS -- From snowmobiling on alfalfa to strapping on cross-country skis with wheels, Minnesotans are finding ways of coping with a frustrating lack of snow. It's been a mostly brown December in the southern half of the state, and northern Minnesota hasn't recorded snow depths of more than 8 inches this season. "We're not living up to our winter reputation," said Joan Hummel, a spokeswoman for Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state's tourism office. It snowed yesterday morning in southern Minnesota, but the flakes were quickly melting, so residents will have to keep...

If you ask Marie Hennessy of Malden to tell a story that sums up the essence of one of the nation's oldest programs for blind cross-country skiers, her answer might surprise you. Instead of telling an exhilarating, outdoorsy tale about how New England Regional Ski For Light pairs sighted guides with visually impaired athletes, the organization's president instead points to the time dozens of members were on an overnight trip to Craftsbury, Vt., and...

There are two Benningtons, just out of sight of each other, about a mile apart. A casual visitor could well miss the whole picture by forgoing either, and the experience of the entire place would be incomplete. A weekend trip allows time to put the pieces together of this town of about 13,000 between the Green and the Taconic mountains, 31/2 hours from Boston. The first Bennington spreads out around the downtown business district, a bustling four-corners area lined with 19th- and 20th-century buildings.

MONT-TREMBLANT, Quebec -- In a perfect world, a weekend getaway to the French Alps for a dose of winter sports, French food and wine, and European culture would be an easy and affordable alternative to fighting the crowds at local ski resorts. While crossing the pond for three days can be both impractical and cost prohibitive, there is a solution. It's called Tremblant, a quaint French skiing resort nestled into a dramatic mountain range 90 minutes north of Montreal. Shops, charcuteries, bistros, and bars compete for a visitor's attention.

TUMBLING into a near-frozen creek on a 6-degree day while skiing the backcountry would typically be a sobering event. But on a cold-snap Saturday last month, just south of Middlebury, Vt., I found myself semi-supine in the snow, laughing as the icy water lapped against my back. The cross-country skiing — miles and miles of gliding through Green Mountain National Forest — had made me giddy. But so did knowing that a hot sauna and a four-course meal were waiting back at the Blueberry Hill Inn in Goshen once we reached the car at the trailhead.

NEWRY, Maine - The first time he skied the dauntingly steep double black diamond Vortex trail at Sunday River, Griffin LaMarre was apprehensive. “I was pretty nervous and scared at first,’’ acknowledged the seventh-grader from Haverhill, Mass. That’s not surprising for a teenager but LaMarre, 13, has tackled more super steeps like White Heat, and is being groomed with two other young skiers in the nonprofit Maine Handicapped Skiing program for a shot at the 2014 Paralympic Games in Russia.

Overnight rain has postponed the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Maine. For the second straight year, Black Mountain in Rumford is hosting the competition. Races were expected to start Monday and run through Sunday with race distances ranging from under a kilometer to 30 kilometers. But severe rain saturated the manmade snow, postponing the welcoming ceremony and racing. Organizers decided to hold the welcoming ceremony and some races on Tuesday. More than 400 entries have been received for the races.

The Porter clan, 14 strong, were assembled at Park City Ski Resort in Utah for the last ski run of the family's annual winter reunion. But Nick, 14, and Andrew, 12, oldest of the cousins, wanted to beg off. "Aw, Mom, this is our last chance to do the Alpine Coaster again," said Nick, trying to look woeful. "We'll meet you later, I promise. " "Yeah, Mom," echoed Andrew. If you listened to Nick - or looked at ski resort numbers, flat over the last couple of years - you might wonder if skiing is in trouble.

Youths ages 4 to 14 may sign up for the Bill Koch Cross-Country Ski League at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the First Religious Society, 27 School St. Information on equipment and other details will be provided at the registration event. The league's goal is to emphasize fun and fitness while also teaching cross-country skiing techniques through drills, games, and races. The team will meet at Great Brook Farm State Park every Saturday morning from Dec. 3 through Feb. 25, and parents of participants are asked to volunteer in various capacities.

HELSINKI - Mika Myllyla, a former Olympic cross-country champion and Finnish skiing great whose life unraveled after a doping ban in 2001, died Tuesday. He was 41. Police declined to give details except to say no crime was involved. National broadcaster YLE said he was found dead in his apartment in the northwest town of Kokkola. Mr. Myllyla won six Olympic medals, including gold in the classical 30-kilometer race at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. He won a silver in the 50-kilometer race in the 1994 Lillehammer Games and shared four bronzes over both Olympics.

Skiing 100 miles over two days is hard enough. Try doing it carrying a 30-pound pack and camping out overnight in temperatures that can drop below zero. Welcome to the Canadian Ski Marathon, where an emphasis on adventure and camaraderie returns cross-country skiing to its origins. “I really like that it’s a classic event,’’ says Mary Peabody, referring to the marathon’s traditional kick-and-glide skiing. “So much of skiing nowadays is skating. You go fast and look cool.

NEWRY, Maine - The first time he skied the dauntingly steep double black diamond Vortex trail at Sunday River, Griffin LaMarre was apprehensive. “I was pretty nervous and scared at first,’’ acknowledged the seventh-grader from Haverhill, Mass. That’s not surprising for a teenager but LaMarre, 13, has tackled more super steeps like White Heat, and is being groomed with two other young skiers in the nonprofit Maine Handicapped Skiing program for a shot at the 2014 Paralympic Games in Russia.

Skiing 100 miles over two days is hard enough. Try doing it carrying a 30-pound pack and camping out overnight in temperatures that can drop below zero. Welcome to the Canadian Ski Marathon, where an emphasis on adventure and camaraderie returns cross-country skiing to its origins. “I really like that it’s a classic event,’’ says Mary Peabody, referring to the marathon’s traditional kick-and-glide skiing. “So much of skiing nowadays is skating. You go fast and look cool.

The Porter clan, 14 strong, were assembled at Park City Ski Resort in Utah for the last ski run of the family's annual winter reunion. But Nick, 14, and Andrew, 12, oldest of the cousins, wanted to beg off. "Aw, Mom, this is our last chance to do the Alpine Coaster again," said Nick, trying to look woeful. "We'll meet you later, I promise. " "Yeah, Mom," echoed Andrew. If you listened to Nick - or looked at ski resort numbers, flat over the last couple of years - you might wonder if skiing is in trouble.

TUMBLING into a near-frozen creek on a 6-degree day while skiing the backcountry would typically be a sobering event. But on a cold-snap Saturday last month, just south of Middlebury, Vt., I found myself semi-supine in the snow, laughing as the icy water lapped against my back. The cross-country skiing — miles and miles of gliding through Green Mountain National Forest — had made me giddy. But so did knowing that a hot sauna and a four-course meal were waiting back at the Blueberry Hill Inn in Goshen once we reached the car at the trailhead.