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Plymouth Ice Festival
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The ‘great’ outdoors

Sun & Snow offering cross country ski demonstrations

Julie Brown
Staff Writer

Rob and Heidi Parent are strong
advocates for enjoying Michigan win-
ters in the great outdoors.
“There's so much to do in winter.
Snow can be a good thing,” said Rob
Parent, who owns Sun & Snow in
downtown Plymouth with wife, Heidi.
“If we can get the kids involved typical-
ly the adults will as well.”
On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12-13,
in Plymouth Kellogg Park, Sun & Snow
will again host cross country skiing
demonstrations during the Plymouth
Ice Festival. Blue Care Network of
Michigan is the event sponsor and the
demonstrations will take place from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and
Sunday.
“Part of our mission is to encourage
participation in outdoor activities,”
Parent said. The Sun & Snow staff in
past years has needed to shut down the
skiing line at 6 p.m. due to weather and
staff fatigue from demonstrating cross
country skiing.
“It's more geared to kids,” said Photos by Robert Lovelace
Parent, noting discounted rentals from “Maybury (State Park) is phenome- He said it's about $18 for a person's
the store at Ann Arbor Trail and Main nal and it's right in our back yard,” said daylong package of skis, poles and
Street. He notes great places to ski Parent, noting some golf courses also boots. Parent touts cross country skiing
close by. offer cross country ski courses. for its health benefits.
“Cross country skiing itself is one of
the top cardio exercises. It can be a lot
of fun,” he said. “You're burning a lot of
calories.”
He described skiing ending with a
bonfire for all. Rob and Heidi,
Plymouth residents, have two children
ages 7 and 4 who are longtime skiers.
“The younger they are the less fear
they have because fears are learned,”
he said. “They pick it up really quick-
ly.”
Rob Parent said toddlers as young
as 18 months can learn downhill skiing.