With less than two weeks left of 2009, it’s not too soon to begin planning your family’s first winter adventure of 2010. Tops on my short list of ideas for great ways to kick off the next decade is Glacier Nordic Day.

On Jan. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Glacier Outdoor Center in West Glacier will be opening new trails and letting families use some for free. Best of all, kids 10 years old and younger can ski for free! They’re also offering special on rentals and food (the place has a “fully stocked” rental shop and full-service outdoor gear shop).

Glacier Outdoor Center has about 10 km of groomed trails and, according the press information I was e-mailed, a new snowshoe trail. It’s located at 12400 Highway 2 East.

Here’s the list of Glacier Nordic Day specials:
o Free use of 10 km of groomed (classic and skate) XC ski trails
o Half-price on Nordic ski rental
o Kids 10 and under ski for free
o Free introductory lessons on Nordic skiing
o Bonfire
o Snacks and hot drinks
o Dog skijoring demos
o Tours of rental cabins
o Sales in the gear shop

Whether you make it to Nordic Days or not, I hope you and your family are having fun playing in the snow!

- MM