Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa celebrates a world of possibilities in the snow

World Snow Day welcomes people to experience winter sports for the first time

Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa, located in Thompsonville, Michigan, is joining resorts from across the country and around the globe in offering the opportunity to experience a wide variety of winter sports during the International Ski Federation’s World Snow Day, Jan. 22.

Before it’s all said and done the average lifelong Midwesterner will have lived 26 years of their life in winter. However, many Michiganders remain indoors simply due to a misconception about the nature of winter sports. World Snow Day is designed to break down those barriers by offering a fun, unintimidating and inexpensive (mostly free) way to Enjoy, Explore and Experience a broad range of winter activities. Here are five ways the Jan. 22 celebration is designed to do just that:

1. Plenty of free samples. Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing instructors will be giving 30-minute presentations throughout the day on how to get started and what to expect for first timers on the slopes and trails.

2. Dress for success. Staying warm is essential to enjoying the outdoors during winter. Crystal Mountain staff will share the keys to layering, how ski and snowboard equipment works and more importantly, how it should fit.

3. Another day of winter fun. Each who attends one of the downhill or snowboarding lesson presentations will receive a voucher for a group lesson, including rental equipment, for $25. Each person can also earn a free 9am-9pm lift ticket by participating in multiple activities during the event.

4. A taste of winter’s international flavor. Crystal Mountain’s culinary team will create a sampling of ski cuisine from around the world. Of course many consider the free hot chocolate and marshmallows around the rinkside bonfire quintessential to the winter experience.

5. A little culture. The Hall of Fame exhibit located in Crystal Mountain’s conference center will provide a glimpse into skiing and snowboarding’s rich heritage and tradition in Michigan and around the world. The exhibit will feature other presentations as well including, The Science of Snowmaking.

World Snow Day is organized by the International Ski Federation (FIS) as part of its Bring Children to the Snow campaign launched in 2007. The event’s mission is to provide newcomers as well as winter enthusiasts the chance to Enjoy, Explore and Experience snow and all its possibilities. In addition to Crystal Mountain, the “biggest day on snow, all year” will be celebrated worldwide with seven locations in the United States including Vail, Beaver Creek and Whiteface in Lake Placid, New York.