If you’ve never taken your kids snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, or if you’ve never been to the Weston Ski Track, a cross-country ski and snowshoe center located on the Leo J. Martin Golf Course, Winter Trails Day, on Saturday, January 11 is the perfect time to do so.

The national event is designed to introduce everyone to the fun of being outside during the winter on cross-country skis or snowshoes. The Weston Ski Track grooms 15 kilometers trails and also makes snow on a two kilometer lighted loop for consistent snow conditions and reliable night skiing. On Winter Trails Day, the center is offering free events between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. with snowshoe demos from snowshoe companies, guided tours, food samples, raffles, and music.

Anyone who wants to snowshoe will receive a free snowshoeing trail pass and there will be several free guided tours. There are a limited number of demo snowshoes available; those who want to use snowshoes for more than 15 to 20 minutes can rent them. In addition, free cross-country ski lessons will be available (with pre-registration and the purchase of a trail pass); rentals are available, if needed. Free ski lessons are only available with pre-registration and payment. Visit the website for details and prices.

Notchview, a Trustees of Reservations property in the Berkshires, is also celebrating the day with a special half-price trail fee, along with free popcorn, music, and free two-hour Nordic snowshoe or ski use (limited numbers). There are 40 kilometers of cross-country ski trails at the 3,000-acre property. Seventeen kilometers of trails are groomed and track-set for classical cross-country skiing; eight kilometers are groomed for skate skiing. A separate trail system is groomed for “skijoring,” or skiing with dogs. You can also go off track and explore the backcountry, or snowshoe alongside the ski trails.

The day’s events include free cross-country ski lessons for beginners (10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.); a waxing and ski care clinic (11 a.m.); free winter woods snowshoe hike (11:30 a.m.); and a ski fit testing station (11:30-1:30 p.m.). Notchview has limited skis available for use.

Other Massachusetts centers offering events include Canterbury Farm Cross Country Ski Center in Becket; Northfield Mountain Cross Country Ski Area; and Hilltop Orchards in Richmond. Visit Snowlink for details. Snowlink is the SnowSports Industries America’s consumer website and offers tips, advice and information about the sport.