January 2018 Northfield Mountain Enewsletter

January 2018

A Place For All Seasons

Porcupines and Stone Quarries

Northfield Mountain's trails are a perfect place to snowshoe. Join us on Saturday, January 27th from 12:30 until 4:00 p.m. for Upper Mountain Snowshoe Ramble; Porcupines and Stone Quarries.

On this winter ramble we'll explore animal tracks, porcupine signs, and an abandoned 19th century stone quarry. Snowshoeing is fabulous exercise, incredibly easy to learn and no prior experience is necessary. Enjoy an afternoon of camaraderie and outdoor exercise while learning tips on technique, equipment, and clothing. A cup of hot cocoa by a fire will round out the afternoon. This moderately strenuous hike is approximately 2½ miles in length with an elevation gain of 400 feet. Bring water, snacks, wear wind pants or gaiters and dress in warm layers that can be shed as we get moving. Warm footwear is essential. All levels of experience are welcome. If snow is insufficient for snowshoeing, the program will take place on foot.

Pre-registration is required by calling 800-859-2960. This is a free event, $18 with snowshoe rentals.

Coming Up This Month

Winter Trails Day®

Sat., Jan. 6; 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

For ages 8 and older

Free!

Pre-registration is required by calling 800-859-2960

Winter Trails Day offers older children and adults new to snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing and cross country skiing for free, and to discover the great fitness and social benefits of these easy-to-learn winter sports. Winter Trails Day involves almost 100 resorts and Nordic Centers nationwide, and gets 11,000 kids and adults on the snow each year. At Northfield Mountain free clinics for first time skiers begin at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. and last for 45 minutes. Twenty-minute long snowshoe clinics are offered at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Clinic participants must be new to the sport and arrive 30 minutes in advance of their scheduled start time to sign in and pick up equipment.

Birds at Your Feeder

Sat., Jan. 13; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Free!

Join us for an illustrated introduction to winter bird feeding. This indoor program will focus on how to identify birds at your feeder, interesting behavior to look for, where to locate feeders and which types of seeds attract which birds. We will visit a bird feeding station with a warm, indoor view to make our own observations. Bring binoculars if available. This program is most appropriate for adults, although children ages 9 and older are welcome.

Winter Detectives

Mon., Jan. 15; 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Free; Snowshoe rental $16/adult, $10/child ($35 maximum/family)

For ages 6 and older
Pre-registration is required by calling 800-859-2960

Join us on Martin Luther King Day for a fun, family adventure exploring the diversity of life in the winter woods. Using detective skills, we will learn how to read the tales written upon the forest floor. Games, activities and outdoor exploration on snowshoes (snow permitting) will allow families to learn together about wildlife in winter. Led by experienced environmental educator Kathy Richards, this program takes place both indoors and outdoors. The importance of diversity and interdependence in the natural world, key to ecological health, will be the theme of the afternoon. If our trails are open for skiing, snowshoes are required. If snow is insufficient for snowshoeing, the program will take place on foot.

Introduction to Snowshoeing for Women

Sat., Jan. 20; 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.

For women ages 18 and older

Free; $18 with snowshoe rentals
Pre-registration is required by calling 800-859-2960

Learn how to snowshoe with other active women and put your new-found skills to work exploring Northfield Mountain's snowshoe trails. Snowshoeing is fabulous exercise and incredibly easy to learn. We'll begin indoors with a brief session on equipment and then venture outside exploring some of our favorite trails as well as the natural history of this special season. Add a new activity, and perhaps some new friends, to your winter repertoire. Tips on equipment and clothing, invigorating exercise and sharing hot chocolate and tea around our wood stove will complete the afternoon. It is proven that people learn faster and have more fun in a supportive environment. Here's an opportunity you won't want to miss, to learn from and with other women. Please note that we will be snowshoeing for up to two miles over moderately hilly terrain (elevation gain of 300'), and no prior snowshoeing experience is necessary. Participants should dress in layers, wear warm, waterproof footwear and bring a trail snack and water. All levels of experience are welcome for this moderately strenuous outdoor adventure.

Once in a Blue Moon Snowshoe Adventure

Wed., Jan. 31; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
For ages 16 and older

Free; $16 with snowshoe rentals

Pre-registration is required by calling 800-859-2960

Join us to celebrate winter, fitness and the blue moon! On average once every 2 ½ years, two full moons occur in the same month. The second full moon is known as the blue moon. Join us to experience snowshoeing under the light of the moon and to learn another definition of a blue moon. Natural history of the night, quotes and moon lore will be shared with hot drinks around our cozy, pellet stove making the perfect ending to an invigorating winter evening. Wear wind pants or gaiters if you have them, dress in warm layers that can be shed as we get moving, and bring a water bottle to take on the trail. Warm, waterproof footwear is essential. All levels of experience are welcome for this moderately strenuous two mile outdoor adventure.

Trails Report: http://www.h2opower.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Ski-Report-12-13-17-5.pdf

Bookmark this site for XC conditions and facilities in Western Massachusetts : http://xcskimass.com/conditions/northfield-mountain

Know someone else who
would love this?

Not yet signed up to
receive our updates?

Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center provides year-round public programming in conjunction with the Northfield Mountain pumped storage hydroelectric facility's federal licensing. Northfield Mountain is operated by FirstLight Power Resources. For more information about Northfield Mountain Recreation programming, visit our Facebook page, call 1-800-859-2960 or email us at [email protected]