Out-Doors: Who Says There's Nothing to Do in Winter
By Elizabeth Bassett,
January 26, 2012, page 12.....

Who Says There’s Nothing to Do in Winter?

If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute, never truer than this winter. It’s a fool’s errand to predict next week’s weather (please note, deadline is one week before publication). But one way or the other, there’s plenty going on in the outdoors in the coming weeks.
Ever heard of “Great Ice in Grand Isle?” Me neither. The self-described “quirky compilation of fun…. outdoor recreation in winter,” the fifth annual Great Ice will unfold at City Bay, North Hero, the middle two weekends of February. Activities include free Nordic skate demos on Lake Champlain’s longest groomed track, a two-mile trek (each way) across the ice to Knight Island State Park, a nine-hole ice golf tournament, an ice bicycle race (grand prize a Trek mountain bike from Earl’s Cyclery), ice hockey on a lighted rink, and sled dog rides. If that’s not enough there are ice fishing derbies for adults and kids, a chili cook-off and Christmas tree bonfire, and “Wild Skating,” whatever that is, from 2-4 p.m. on February 12. Photos from 2010 (the 2011 event was canceled because of record snows) show ski-plane rides, too. The record indicates that in 2010, “ice golf was very challenging on black ice, the fairways being as fast as the greens!”
Charlotte’s own ice-skating guru John Rosenthal has been on ice more than you might imagine. “Shelburne Pond has been good, and I’ve skated on Lake Champlain south of the bridge,” Rosenthal says.
As rain fell he remained optimistic. “Refinishing of the ice is going on as we speak,” he said. Rosenthal consults the Nordic skating Yahoo group for updates on conditions in the region: groups.yahoo.com/group/VTNordicSkating/.
On February 4, the Green Mountain Club (GMC) hosts it 16th Annual Snowshoe Festival and Winter Party at the Visitor Center on Route 100 in Waterbury. The festival offers free snowshoe demos, snowshoe hikes and nature walks for all abilities, and kids activities including a bonfire, s’mores and cocoa. Workshops on dog sledding and Vermont Institute of Natural Science’s Bird on Glove demonstration will also be offered. The afternoon Winter Party features food, drink, raffle, prizes and live Irish music by Dave Day & Friends. Admission for GMC members is $8 and for the general public $10. Become a new member and you’ll receive free admission. For more information see the website at greenmountainclub.org/news.php?id=197.
The Catamount Trail runs the length of Vermont, but that doesn’t mean you have to ski the entire distance to enjoy it. On Saturday, February 11, a classic-technique half marathon (that’s 25 miles) will run through the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, departing from Rikert Nordic Center. Racers will have the option of skiing 15 or 25 km while non-competitive tourers will ski a 15 km loop on some of Vermont’s most beautiful ski terrain, groomed specially for this event. Registration form and more information at catamounttrail.org/news/romance-half-marathon-tour-and-race-registration/.
The Catamount Trail Association(CTA) is offering more than 60 days of guided tours and special events for skiers of all ages and abilities. Many of these events are free. Here’s an example: Bolton Valley to Route 2, on Saturday, January 28.
This easy-to-intermediate tour of 7-8 miles runs north to south, providing a very nice downhill run with a total descent of about 2,000 feet. The route begins with a long downhill, first on the groomed trails of Bolton Valley and then on backcountry trails. It moves onto a lightly used snowmobile trail for the second half of the route that includes some fairly steep downhill stretches.
Check out the CTA calendar at catamounttrail.org/news/2012-guided-tours-and-special-events-calendar/.
A wise cross-country skier in Vermont, especially in years like this, never says, I’ll wait and ski tomorrow. Did you know that groomers are poised, ready for any snowfall, at Burlington’s Intervale? This initiative of Local Motion takes advantage of beautiful farmland as the 3 km groomed trail follows the meanders of the Winooski River. On two Sundays, February 5 and March 11, “Wintervale” with the Intervale Center will feature free cross-country ski and snowshoe demos, kids activities, hot chocolate, food, conservation walks and more. Information at localmotion.org.
Remember skating until you could no longer feel your toes, skating another hour because all your friends were there, and then walking home on those things called feet? If these are fond memories (they are not for this writer), then the “Lake Champlain Inaugural Pond Hockey Classic” is for you. Scheduled to unfold on the frozen waters of Malletts Bay the weekend of February 17-19, this event seeks to recreate the joys of outdoor pond hockey. Dozens of teams, from youth groups to middle aged, will compete on the “ponds” delineated on the lake ice. Like other aspects of pond hockey the weather is beyond control of the organizers. Last year the event was canceled because of a huge dump of snow. Keep an eye on pondhockeyclassic.com for updates.
Shelburne Farms is ready for winter. While weekend sleigh rides, noon to 3 p.m., are on hold until more snow falls, other activities dot the calendar.
“Shelburne Winterfest,” Saturday, January 28, noon to 3pm, includes sledding, snow play, tasty things to eat, and sleigh rides.
“Lenses on the Land by Moonlight,” February 4, 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Join accomplished photographer Marshall Webb to photograph sunset, moonrise, and moonlight. You can expect inspiration, beautiful scenery, and supper for the $40 fee (members $35).
“Farm & Food Play Date,” for ages 2-5 with adult companion, on Saturday, February 11, anytime between 9 a.m. and 1p.m. in the McClure Center for School Programs.
Special for Valentine’s Day, evening sleigh rides, weather permitting. Reservations are required for this half-hour of winter stargazing with Pat Palmer’s Percheron draft horses from Thornapple Farm.
Snowshoe demos, ages 10 and up, on Saturday, February 18. Free to all, no registration.
For information about all Shelburne Farms events go to shelburnefarms.org/calendarofevents/index.shtml.