Champlain Area Trails introduces winter sports lessons during February break

  

Community embraces outdoor recreation opportunities amid break from school

  

Benny Nezaj , Reporter

  

CADYVILLE, N.Y. — With schools across northern New York closed for February break, residents are seizing the opportunity to embrace the winter weather and engage in outdoor activities.

  

In a first-time initiative, Champlain Area Trails has launched winter sports lessons, aiming to promote outdoor recreation among residents of all ages.

  

The initiative received a positive reception as families gathered at Cadyville Recreation Park on Wednesday for free cross-country skiing lessons. Among them was Perry Houle, a third grader from Morrisonville Elementary School, who decided to try cross-country skiing for the first time despite being an avid downhill skier.

  

"I'm a downhill skier at Beartown and I'm on the ski team, but I just thought that it looked fun and sounded fun, so I wanted to try it," said Perry, highlighting his eagerness to explore different skiing techniques.

  

Over half a dozen participants joined the lessons, which covered essential skills such as maintaining balance and navigating flat ski trails.

  

Despite warmer weather conditions, the snow proved ideal for the event, reaffirming organizers' belief in the North Country's suitability for winter sports.

  

Torey Patenaude, Community Engagement and Outreach Manager at CATS, emphasized the region's appeal for outdoor activities, expressing his passion for encouraging people to explore the area's wilderness and trails.

  

"This is an incredible area for these types of activities. I actually moved back to this area for the skiing here. So, it's just a big passion of mine to get people outside because we have incredible wilderness, incredible trails," Patenaude said.

  

Looking ahead, Perry expressed his intention to utilize the skills learned during the lessons and explore other cross-country ski spots, reflecting the community's enthusiasm for outdoor recreation.

  

CATS plans to continue promoting winter activities by hosting snowshoe lessons at Sophie's Lair Trail in Willsboro on Saturday, extending opportunities for residents to embrace the season's offerings.