‘Blast from the Past to the Future on Skis’ Highlights 2012 NENSA TD Bank BKL Festival

PINKHAM NOTCH, NH—Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center and the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) are pleased to announce that the 2012 TD Bank Bill Koch League Festival will take place March 3^rd and 4^th at the facility on Route 16 on Pinkham Notch. This year’s theme will be “Blast from the Past to the Future on Skis” and will offer the 400 participating kids and their families a chance to create outfits themed from past or the future and the see how the sport has evolved from its earliest days.

The event is open to kids from as young as 4 years old right through 8 graders. Participants and their families will come from throughout the Northeast and will enjoy a full weekend of fun activities and competition. Saturday will feature the opening ceremonies and parade; relay races based on age groups; a non-competitive ski tour including themed elements and characters; a mini ski jumping park for kids; a fairy house trail; on snow obstacle course and other usual Great Glen Trails activities (like snow tubing). Saturday’s festivities will finish up with a pasta dinner at the Town & Country Motor Inn in Gorham.

On Sunday a series of individual freestyle races will be held in several classes, based on age. There will be a lollipop race for first graders and under; a graduation on skis for the eighth graders and an adaptive Sit-Ski event. On snow awards ceremonies will take place both Saturday and Sunday.

Bill Koch, the only US Cross Country Skier to win both the World Cup and an Olympic medal (silver in 1976) will be on hand for the weekend to cheer on the competitors. Sue Wemyss, ski school director at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center (a XC Olympian herself from the 1984 team) noted that it is a distinct honor to host this event. “This is a very important event for the future of cross country skiing. Bringing more than 400 young people and their families together helps develop the individuals and the sport. Considering that the festival only comes to NH every four years, we are very proud to share what we think is the most spectacular setting in New England for cross country skiing,” Wemyss said.

That sentiment is echoed by NENSA Youth and Introductory Program Director Abby Weissman: “Having the festival at a venue that is accustomed to hosting families and large events really will make a difference to the overall experience. This is a logistically complex event for families and organizers, but it’s also just a great opportunity for everyone involved to enjoy a weekend of winter family activities in an amazingly beautiful place,” Weissman observed.

For more information about the TD Bank Bill Koch League Festival visit the event website at: www.2012bklfestival.com or contact Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center at 603-466-2333 or www.greatglentrails.com

Source: NENSA