Lakewood, CO – Organizers of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) are gearing up for January 2012 and hoping to motivate 150,000 children and adults to take ski and snowboard lessons during the month. The 2011 initiative drew 75,000, up from 30,000 in 2010, based on feedback from participating resorts and resort association partners.

More than 300 ski areas, resorts and Nordic centers participate in Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Most packages available at participating resorts during January are free or modestly priced and generally consist of a lesson, lift ticket and rentals.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association is the newest national industry association to sign on as a partner. USSA is producing a series of videos featuring Olympians and other members of the ski and snowboard teams.

Organizers are also working with recreation-oriented government agencies and initiatives, travel and tourism offices and other outreach programs. Children and adults can earn a Presidential Active Lifetime Achievement Award (PALA) by participating in skiing and snowboarding. LSSM also supports the First Lady’s Let’s Move Outdoors initiative in an effort to get more children and adults active in winter.

“We expect to align with more organizations and businesses to make children and adults aware of the benefits of skiing and snowboarding as a healthy lifetime experience,” said Raelene Davis, chair of the LSSM Advisory Board and marketing director for Ski Utah.

In addition, the skiandsnowboardmonth.org website has been revised and updated to make it easy for those new to snow sports to engage.