CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING BEGINS AT MALABAR FARM STATE PARK
Lucas, Ohio – As one of many winter activities planned for 2006, Malabar Farm
State Park offers a sport that doesn’t take much time and money to enjoy.
Cross-country skiing lets you go at your own pace, leads you through quiet,
beautiful winter woods, and only requires some snow on the ground.

Over the past couple of winters there has been an increased interest in
cross-country skiing in Northern Ohio. Since 1981 Malabar Farm has offered
cross-country ski trails, workshops, and ski equipment rentals. This year the
Ski Rental Shop will be open beginning, Thursday, December 15th till March 1st,
weather permitting. The Ski Rental Shop hours are Thursday through Sunday from
11:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Cross-country skis, boots, and poles are available for
rent in adult and kid sizes for $5.00 per hour and saucer sleds for $2.00 per
hour. Malabar Farm has over 10 miles of marked ski trails, including beginner
and advanced level. Current ski trail conditions and rental hours will be
featured on our website www.malabarfarm.org or by calling the park office at
419-892-2784. Special groups reservations and discounts are available for 10 or
more skiers per group.

Cross-Country Skier Beginner Workshops are planned for Saturday, January 7th
and 21st, 2006 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and Sunday, February 5th, 2006 from
1:00 pn-4:00 p.m. The workshop begins with a one-hour classroom and two-hour
outside instruction. The cost is $30.00 per person, which includes equipment
rental., If you bring your own equipment, the cost is $20 per person.
Reservations are required and may be made online at our website
www.malabarfarm.org or by calling the park office at 419-892-2784.

Malabar Farm is located 12 miles southeast of Mansfield, just one mile west of
SR 603 on Pleasant Valley Road. Louis Bromfield, a world-renowned novelist and
conservationist, created the farm in the 1940s as a demonstration farm for
progressive conservation practices. Malabar Farm State Park is the only working
farm in the Ohio State Park system. Programs and special events are offered
year-round. Overnight accommodations are available at the state park campground
and Malabar Farm Hostelling International – call 419-892-2055 for Hostel
reservations. For more information about this or other programs, call the park
office at
419-892-2784 or visit our Website at www.malabarfarm.org.



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