15 State Governors Declare January Learn a Snow Sport Month

MCLEAN, Va. (November 19, 2009/Revised Jan. 1, 2010)–Governors representing 15 states have issued proclamations citing their state’s involvement in Learn a Snow Sport Month and more are expected. Thirty-two states, five national associations (including SIA) and 16 state and regional resort associations are posting information about their learning programs during January 2010. Details are posted at LearnaSnowSport.org.

The states are Alaska, Colorado, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, New York, Washington, Idaho, Maine, and Vermont, with New Mexico, West Virginia and Minnesota to be finalized shortly. Utah and New York’s governors offered proclamations last year which was the first year for the national effort.

Learn a Snow Sport Month encourages children and adults to try a snow sport if they never have done so and also encourage those already involved to try a new snow sport. Glen Plake is the national spokesperson for the initiative. Plake is known primarily as an extreme skier but he and his wife Kimberly spend a lot of time each winter visiting smaller resorts promoting the fun of snow sports and encouraging children and adults to take lessons.

The snow sports trade media including Ski, Skiing, Powder, Mountain Sports and Living, Snowboarder, Ski Area Management, OnTheSnow.com, nxt Concepts and liftopia are supporting Learn a Snow Sport Month with ads and announcements about the initiative. Questions, contact Mary Jo at MJTarallo@snowsports.org.

- SIA –

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national not-for-profit, North American member-owned, trade association representing the snow sports industry. Established in 1954, SIA annually produces the SIA Snow Show, the largest snow sports industry trade show, on-snow demo and networking environment globally, while delivering invaluable data/research reports including the Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report, the SIA Retail Audit and Executive Market Summary. SIA also develops marketing products, services and programs helping our Members operate more efficiently and increase participation in snow sports. For more information, check out www.snowsports.org. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587. Phone: 703.556.9020, Fax: 703.821.8276, Email: SIAmail@snowsports.org.