McLEAN, Va. (AP) — Winter Trails will celebrate its 15th year Jan. 9 at locations throughout the U.S. with free snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The annual event is designed to offer kids and adults who are new to snow sports a chance to check them out with free equipment and trail access.

You can register online for your preferred location. Most locations offer snowshoeing and cross-country but some only offer snowshoeing. Venues include alpine resorts, Nordic centers, state parks, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service land. Details can be found on the Web site. You can also register onsite at each location.

Winter Trails is part of "Learn a Snow Sport Month," set for the entire month of January to raise awareness of skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Information about other snow sports learning programs can be found at http://WinterFeelsGood.com and individual programs are described at http://LearnaSnowSport.org.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.