Free Youth Saturday Ski Program to be Offered in Aroostook County

Saturdays this winter will be an exciting time to be outdoors on skis in Aroostook County!

TAMC is once again partnering with local ski organizations to promote an active, healthy lifestyle in County youth while instilling interest in a life-long activity that is affordable, social, challenging and fun.

This is the third year TAMC has sponsored youth ski programs in The County with the Nordic Heritage Sports Center, and this year they will welcome a new partner. Over the years, the Quoggy Jo Ski Center has provided free lessons on a drop-in basis, according to Quoggy Jo Ski Club President Gene Cronin, but this will be the first year that they will join the partnership to offer Alpine skiing opportunities at their facilities. Each organization will contribute to the program in a unique way to provide lessons, training and fun in cross country (Nordic) and downhill (Alpine) skiing, and snowboarding to County youth.

The program, which includes both Nordic and Alpine choices each week, begins this Saturday, January 11, 2014 with an Open House where participants can register and meet the instructors. Most Saturdays, weather-permitting, until March 15, participants can cross country ski at the Nordic Heritage Center from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. followed by hot cocoa and healthy snacks at the Main Lodge. They can also downhill ski at the Quoggy Jo Ski Center beginning with a lesson from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. followed by a free ski until 4:00 p.m. Kids can choose to do one or both of the ski sessions each week.

Because the program is free of charge, volunteers are crucial to its success. Program organizers encourage older students and parents to participate by volunteering their time, either in the lodge or out on the snow – even if just for one weekend.

To register, participants need to simply show up to either the Nordic Heritage Center at 10:00 a.m. or to Quoggy Jo at 1:00 p.m. Both locations are located on the Fort Fairfield Road in Presque Isle.  Parents or guardians must sign separate waivers for all participants before they can take part in the program.  Participants can join in after the first program on January 11.

Alpine ski and snowboard rentals for youth will be available for rent at Quoggy Jo each weekend of the program.  Cross country ski rentals are available for program participants on-site at the first program (January 11) at the Nordic Heritage Sport Club.  After the initial session, special arrangements can be made for rentals.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Jeremy Griffiths at 316-9911 or email jgriffiths17@gmail.com for the cross-country portion of the program, or Gene Cronin at gene@skiquoggyjo.org for the downhill portion of the program. Updates are also available on Facebook at facebook.com/nordicheritagesportclub.