Kelly Clark
Though winter is synonymous with frigid cold temperatures, for many it is a much anticipated part of the year when they get to head up to their their favorite slopes and go skiing/ snowboarding. There are many advantages to these winter sports that fans already know and beginners can discover. They are an amazing adrenaline rush and are accessible for most age groups. Did you also know that skiing and snowboarding can also be a great winter work out?
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) in January, is an initiative to get people of all ages to take lessons and discover all the fun that can be had with winter sports. They offer the chance to travel, get fresh air and are a great way to stay active.
LSSM Ambassador and Olympic gold Medalist Kelly Clark definitely knows a thing or two about snowboarding and had a love for it long before becoming an Olympic history-maker.
“I always say I started snowboarding before it was cool,” explains Clark, “It was 1990, snowboarding was not an Olympic sport and there was no such thing as the Xgames. I loved it from the start, and when I was in high school I started to think it could be a career.”
The growth of the sport has given way to resources that interested parties can take advantage of if they would like to take lessons.Throughout the month of January, more than 300 resorts in the U.S. will offer programs and packages through LSSM. Interested NYC parties can rest easy knowing that they don’t have to travel too far to get a snowy first lesson; around 20 of the aforementioned resorts are in the New York state!
Clark encourages those who are curious to at least try a lesson out saying, “It is much easier to learn than you would expect. It is not about risk taking, it is about calculated risk taking. Get a lesson and start at your own pace and you will be snowboarding in no time. I would not advise letting your friends “teach” you, take a lesson and learn those good habits from the start.”
So if you are looking for a new way to have fun during the long winter months, check out LSSM’s many resources on their website.
