SnowSports Industries America's Winter Feels Good campaign is working with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to encourage Americans to participate in
outdoor winter activities. Children and adults can earn President's Challenge awards by combining snow sports, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding, with other activities. SIA will have information about earning a President's Challenge award available at the “Winter Feels Good” Pavilion in the
National Ski and Snowboard Expo taking place November 12-14 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA. Attendees can learn how to snowshoe at the Pavilion's Snowshoe Park and find out more about the health benefits of outdoor winter activities.

The President's Challenge awards are used by school systems and
recreation programs throughout the country to encourage regular physical
activity for individuals and groups. To earn an award, youth 18 and
younger need to participate in physical activity for 60 minutes a day,
five days a week for six weeks; adults need to participate for 30
minutes a day, five days a week for six weeks.

“Participation in snow sports is a great way to maintain a
regular physical activity program outdoors in the winter,” said Melissa
Johnson, executive director of the President's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports. “Families can enjoy winter sports and earn
President's Challenge awards together.”

Representatives from Tubbs Snowshoes, of Stowe, VT, will spearhead the
Snowshoe Park. The company will provide snowshoes and instruction for
children and adults who would like to try the activity.

“Snowshoeing is
an excellent way to get started in snow sports and to work toward a
President's Challenge award because it is so easy to learn,” said Mary
Jo Tarallo, director of Education for SIA. “If you can walk, you can
snowshoe. All snow sports offer a fun way to get exercise in the
winter.”

A free snowshoe demo on snow will be offered at Liberty Mountain, near
Gettysburg, PA, on January 8, 2005, as part of the national Winter
Trails program. The demo, one of 100 Winter Trails events taking place
that day nationwide, is the closest event to the Washington
D.C./Northern Virginia metro area. A President's Council Clinic is
planned at the event. The clinic will offer warm-up exercises for snow
sports; information about how to dress for winter sports; and tips on
nutrition and hydration.