Sherman's Travel

With many ski resorts dumped with snow after the recent barrage of blizzards, the slopes are certainly calling. But, if you’re like me, so are the credit card bills, which means it will be a while before I can indulge in some schussing sans guilt.

Good timing, then, on several free outdoorsy offerings sure to get you outside and into high gear, burning off some of that holiday pudge (but not money) in the process. Another bonus? They take place across the country, so no matter where you are, you won’t have to travel too far to take advantage.

The first: This Saturday, January 8, is the 16^th annual Winter Trails Day, which aims to get cross-country skiing and snowshoeing newbies out on – you guessed it – the trails. Nearly 100 resorts and Nordic centers in 21 states are participating in the event (photo above courtesy of RDB Events), which last year attracted about 11,000 visitors, according to event spokesperson Reese Brown. It’s also a great way for downhill junkies to get a taste of a new means of moving across the snow.

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