Online & Web Resources

Check out the various Web sites and online resources listed below for useful information about the sports, fitness, and other related topics. Here are the categories:

• Activities & Events
• Fitness & Health
• Youth/Kids Programs & Activities
• Cross Country Ski Coaching/Learning
• Snowshoe Coaching/Learning
• Snow Conditions & Weather

Activities & Events

1. Winter Trails - Winter Trails Day, now entering its 13th year, occurs on January 12 & February 16 (Estes Park, Colo.), and offers first-timers to snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing and cross country skiing for FREE, and to discover the great fitness and social benefits with these easy-to-learn winter sports. 

Fitness & Health

1. America on the Move- America On the Move is a national initiative dedicated to helping individuals and communities across our nation make positive changes to improve health and quality of life.
2. The American Diabetes Association — This web site has an entire section about weight loss and exercise, as well as information about whether you might be susceptible to diabetes.
   
3. American Cancer Society — In its section, "Health Information Seekers," the ACS has information about how the right food and exercise can help minimize your risk of getting cancer.
   
4. American Heart Association — This web site's "Healthy Lifestyle" section has tips on exercise that will get your heart rate up.
   
5. BMI index from the Center for Disease Control — Body Mass Index is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. It is a reliable indicator of whether a person is underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. This web site page has a BMI calculator for adults and another for children and teens.
6. Passport to Winter Fun - The Passport to Winter Fun is a program created by the Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA) that is designed to encourage children and their families to become more active outdoors during the winter months. The Passport is an 18-page booklet containing a 40-step trail.
7. Physical Activity for Everyone
   This CDC web site highlights fun physical activities you can enjoy and realize many health benefits!
8. National Park Service: Pathways to Healthy Living
   Through its Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, the National Park Service has launched a nationwide initiative to encourage healthful outdoor physical activity in National Parks and local communities.
   
9. Nutrition & Fitness
   This page on the Discovery Health Channel's website gives fitness and nutrition guidelines .
10. Shape Up America - The mission of Shape Up America! is to provide evidence-based information and guidance on weight management to the public, health care professionals, educators, policymakers and the media.

Youth/Kids Programs & Activities

1. Burton Chill Program — Chill will serve over 2500 disadvantaged boys and girls in 14 North American cities and Sydney, Australia this winter. Chill is an intervention program for disadvantaged inner-city kids, ages 10 to 18.
2. KidsHealth.org — Great articles for kids, teens and parents about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The site has information about winter sports.
3. KidsRunning.com — A website from Runner's World that encourages kids to run! KidsRunning.com supports Winter Trails Day, an annual event from Winter Feels Good.
4. Kidz'n'Snow — This website is devoted to helping families with children find ways to have fun in the snow. It has extensive travel information, as well as tips on gear and clothing for kids.
5. Lids on Kids — This program from the National Ski Areas Association gives information about snow sports helmets for children.
6. Passport Programs — Programs in several states offer ways for elementary-school-age children to try out snow sports for free or very low cost.
7. The President's Challenge — This is a program that encourages all Americans to make being active part of their everyday lives, and gives them awards and incentives to do it. Participants can make skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing part of their active lifestyle and participate in The President's Challenge at the same time.
8. Snowboard Outreach Society — Based in Colorado, SOS partners with ski resorts, youth agencies, foundations, private corporations and snowboarders to create an effective and efficient mountain adventure-based program for underserved youth. Since 1993, SOS has introduced over 8,000 kids to snowboarding, while focusing on five core values: Courage, Discipline, Integrity, Wisdom, and Compassion.
9. SnowSchool, an education program sponsored by Atlas Snow-Shoe Company and the Winter Wildlands Alliance, is a winter field trip program that combines physical activity and science. The program assists teachers and environmental education specialists by providing science based lessons and life experience to their classes.
   

1. Cross Country Ski World — Web site with sections for training and technique.
2. DianeSabba.com — Diane Sabba teaches cross country skiing. Her web site has some tips for those just learning the sport (click on "Ski Instructions"), and she also has a video on the subject.
   

Snowshoe Coaching/Learnng

1. JustSnowshoes.com — More than 80 links (and more being added regularly) on snowshoeing gear, travel and tips.
   
2. Snowshoe Central — Lots of information about snowshoeing, including techniques and safety.
3. Redfeather Snowshoeing Guide — Click on the home page link for a page of information to get you started.
   
4. The Winter Backpacker —Snowshoe tips for those who enjoy winter hiking.
   

Snow Conditions & Weather

1. AnythingWeather.com — Lots of weather information, including radar maps, weather disaster advisories, and more. This site has easy-to-use, clickable national and state maps so you can quickly get a forecast without having to know the area's ZIP code.
2. bestskiweather.com — Snow sports weather site run by meterologist Jim Roemer to provide ski and snowboard resorts with weather information.
3. OnTheSnow.com
4. RSN — Originators of the ResortCam, which lets you take a peek at same-day conditions.
5. skiTiger.com — Web site that concentrates on weather and snow reports for the Northwest.
6. Snocountry.com — Ski and weather reports. This company provides many of the ski conditions reports you see on other Web sites.
7. Snow Forecast.com — A free service providing daily snow forecast and temperature maps for ski and mountaineering areas around the world.
8. Weather.com's Snowfall Reports
9. Your Guide to Snowfall — This site analyzes snowfall and ski conditions at 92 sites in North America. It has a monthly database of up to 33 years which is refreshed annually. It also has regional progress reports about once a week during the season.