Don’t Hibernate, Celebrate! Physical Activities Expand During Winter in Upper Valley

An innovative partnership in the Upper Valley of VT/NH has changed snow and ice from an excuse to stay indoors into an opportunity for winter physical activity with the development of the longest ice skating trail in the country. The Upper Valley Active Living by Design Community Partnership maintains the 2-mile track on Lake Morey in Fairlee, VT and has staged two significant events to promote the trail as a viable winter equivalent to walking and hiking.

The Lake Morey Winter Fest, held on January 8, drew 560 people from all over New England for a day of skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and other activities. Participants were given Winter Fest cards with spaces for stamps received at each activity. The event was a resounding success, with the number of participants increasing from 350 the previous year and people of all ages enjoying everything from long distance skating to snowshoe volleyball.

On January 22, the partnership held the second annual Lake Morey Skate-athon, its second event on the lake. Despite frigid temperatures, about 250 people from as far away as Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York gathered to skate the 4-mile roundtrip and raise money for the Upper Valley Trails Alliance, the lead partner, and other organizations. A local skate shop provided free trials on longer, curved-front skates designed for natural ice and a lakefront resort provided space for registration and refreshments. One intrepid skater accumulated 17 roundtrips, or more than 60 miles, on his official Skate-athon Stamp Card before the day was over.

These events, an up-to-date ice report on the Trails Alliance website and a dedicated person in charge of clearing the Lake Morey Skating Trail have given the community an attractive destination for winter physical activity. Awareness of the trail has increased and the partnership hopes for an even greater turnout next year. Trail use extends beyond the two events, with residents using the trail during the week and on weekends. All of these activities also are a part of the Trails Alliance's Passport to Winter Fun, a booklet that identifies events taking place in the region, as well as locations for independent activity. By stamping their passports as they complete activities, participants will create records of their winter activities to show others and to qualify for recognition at various levels at the end of the season. With winter posing a significant challenge to active living, the skating trail is a novel solution that provides enjoyable physical activity during the coldest months of the year.

Resources

Upper Valley, VT/NH Community Partnership Page

Sample stamp and activity pages from the Passport to Winter Fun

"Trails Alliance Receives Grant to Promote Winter Activity in the Upper Valley"