NENSA was delighted to partner once again with WinterKids for their 2024 Welcome to Winter event, held recently at Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn, ME! This annual celebration, organized by WinterKids, continues to inspire children to develop healthy lifelong habits through engaging, outdoor winter activities. The event highlights a variety of fun, active, and educational opportunities, fostering vibrant and healthy lifestyles in the great outdoors.
Originally designed to welcome new Mainers to the joys of winter, the Welcome to Winter event has expanded its reach to embrace all members of the community. This year’s free event provided attendees with the chance to try out a wide range of winter activities, including snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snow sculpting, and more. Participants also enjoyed warming up with hot chocolate and s’mores, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for all.
At the event, NENSA operated a cross-country skiing station, featuring a fleet of snowboot binding skis from our Nordic Rocks program, made possible through the support of Madshus, Lost Nation R&D, the Share Winter Foundation, and the Killington World Cup Foundation. It was incredibly rewarding to see so many young participants enthusiastically embracing new winter activities, even amid the challenging early-season snow conditions.
We were also excited to connect with LL Bean, our long-time sponsor and supporter, who managed the snowshoe station right next door. Their dedication to promoting outdoor activity perfectly aligns with the spirit of the event and our shared mission.
WinterKids continues to make an extraordinary impact by encouraging children to stay active and engaged during Maine’s long winters. We’re proud to collaborate with such an inspiring organization, and we look forward to future partnerships that bring the joy of winter to even more families. To learn more about the amazing work WinterKids is doing, visit their website HERE.
