PA State Senate & House Back the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Program in Pennsylvania

Online, February 1, 2014 (Newswire.com) - The Pennsylvania State Senate and House have designated January 2014 to be "Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month" in Pennsylvania. Tens of thousands of winter enthusiasts migrate to the Pennsylvania mountains every week to ski and snowboard on trails that offer cruising comfort in a majestic setting or the excitement of a pulse-pounding challenge on a downhill course.

The Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association with 21 Alpine ski and Nordic centers , along with 33 other states, the Snow Sports Industries America, the Professional Ski Instructors of America--American Association of Snowboard Instructors, National Ski Areas Association and the National Ski Patrol have united to offer affordable "Learn to Ski and Snowboard" programs that open the door to the wonderful world of skiing and snowboarding for many winter enthusiasts.

"Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month" encourages children and adults to learn by taking lessons from professional instructors and ski and snowboard areas throughout the United States offer free and reasonably priced turn-key lesson programs during January as part of this initiative. "Skiing and snowboarding also are healthy ways to burn off unwanted calories", said Linda Irvin, executive director for PSAA. "For example, a 155 pound adult skiing at even a light pace can burn more than 350 calories per hour and a child weighing about 70 pounds can burn about 150 calories per hour."

There are over 21 ski resorts in all regions of the state from the Endless Mountains to the Philadelphia suburbs, central Pennsylvania from the Maryland to the New York borders and throughout the Alleghenies. The resolutions acknowledge that Pennsylvania ski resorts have a significant economic impact on the communities in which they are located and the state as a whole and that participating in a snow sport provides an opportunity for exercise and friendship that will last a lifetime. The Senate also expressed appreciation and thanked the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to uphold Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation and help maintain strong winter tourism.

"We were thrilled that both the Senate and House have issued resolutions," said Barb Green, president of PSAA. "It shows that they recognize the importance of winter outdoor activity and how much the snow sports industry means to Pennsylvanians."

For more news, visit SkiPA.com and on Facebook at Facebook.com/GoSkiPA