By Bob Williams

Cross-country ski areas in the Northeast, such as the Woodstock Ski Touring Center here in this quaint Vermont village (www.woodstockinn.com. or 800-448-7900 are already reporting a steady interest in cross-country skiing as Americans continue to focus on health as they turn to sports.

Doctors say cross-country skiing helps battle winter weight gain better than any other outdoor recreation activity by incinerating more calories.

According to Dr. Julie Gerberding of the U.S. Surgeon General’s office, 65 % of U.S. citizens are overweight or obese.

“Americans consume calories at an ever-increasing rate while exercising less,” Dr. Gerberding says.  “Calories are convenient and cheap from fast food restaurants to processed foods in the grocery aisle.”

Dr. Gerberding continues that “opportunities for exercise disappear from daily life as technology advances.  Today, families drive to work, school and shopping.  At work, all business is conducted these days by sitting at a desktop computer.”

Only 30 % of all people in the United States do any regular exercise, experts point out.

Researchers have gleaned a set of principles common to successful dieters – those who have managed to take off weight and keep it off.  Weight maintainers don’t diet without exercise, exercise enough to burn 2,800 calories per week, eat low-fat diets, eat breakfast, monitor weight and adjust their plan as needed.

“Cross-country skiing burns more calories because more muscles are working,” Dr. Gerberding says.  “It floods the body with a feeling of well being, greatly improving one’s mood.  This feeling of well being encourages people to ski again.  The scenery changes every outing, unlike at a fitness center.  Snow is soft, lessening impact on the joints.  And cross-country skiing can be done from age 5 to age 80.”

Cross-country skiing uses natural movements.  It does not require special skills to get started,  and it has a short learning curve.  Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Demi Moore, known for their fitness, are cross-country skiers.

More than 350 cross-country ski areas, like the one here at Woodstock, are located throughout North America. These centers provide packed and groomed trails.  Most cross-country ski areas have ski and snowshoe rentals and instruction.

Cross country resorts offer health-oriented programs, including yoga and massage, nutritious foods and specialty women’s health weekends.

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A Ticket to Ride – There’s something about Peter Robbins’ commitment – if not his actions – that you have to admire.  Robbins, 27, robbed a bank of $25,000 last season, then drove to Sunday River, Maine.  “On the way, he went to a snowboard shop and got outfitted head-to-toe,” says Sunday River’s Susan DuPlessis.  Upon arrival, Robbins paid cash for two nights’ lodging and hit the slopes.  Police caught up with him the next day in the ski area parking lot.  “He didn’t have drugs or alcohol or weird stuff in his room,” DuPlessis said.  “I guess he just wanted to ride.”

Santa Sunday at Sunday River – And speaking of Sunday River in Maine, here’s your chance to ski absolutely free!  It’s the 4th annual Santa Sunday and it takes place this Sunday, Dec. 5.  Simply, all you’ve got to do is dress up in a full Santa outfit and you’ll receive free skiing and riding for that day plus two more lift tickets valid through Dec. 17.  Of course, there are strings attached:  you must donate a minimum of $10 that goes to the Bethel Rotary Club’s annual Christmas drive to purchase gifts for children in need. 

In past Santa Sunday events, more than 200 people have registered for the novel event.  Santas this year will gather at 11 a.m. at South Ridge for photos.  Registration is required for the event, and participants absolutely positively must adhere to event rules in order to participate, including the costume requirement.  To register, go to www.sundayriver.com. 

Cool Tool – Yes, any old clothes iron will do the job, but the experience usually is never satisfying, what with all the steam holes filling up with wax.  And unlike other waxing irons, Toko’s WaxMouse ($74, tokous.com) is inexpensive enough to justify its inclusion in a home ski-tuner’s tool kit.  It’s simple and compact, so it travels well.  A step dial makes it easy to control temperature (important in avoiding potentially noxious smoke).  And it generates enough heat for even the hardest of cold-snow waxes. 

Short Schusses – A winter storm dumped nearly two feet of snow on Telluride in Colorado earlier this week.  The ski area says it’s the best snow start it’s had in 20 years . . . . Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, Me., hosts the Rock Maple Racing Snowmobile Sno-X Series this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5.  According to the organizers, it’s likely to draw some of the best snowmobilers in the Eastern United States and Canada competing for cash, points and prizes. . . .  Stratton Mt. in Vermont offers an early season lift and lodging package of 2-5 nights lodging and 2-5 days skiing or riding for as little as $59.  Deadline to book is Dec. 9 (800-787-2886 or www.stratton.com/earlydeals).