Partnerships make communities strong and, now in its third year, PPL’s partnership with SUNY Potsdam’s Wilderness Education Program, welcomes back the long-term cross-country ski rental program for youth .
The program continues to aim to make cross-country skiing more accessible to families in the Potsdam Library District, as opposed to having to drive hours away for rentals and to save the cost of buying skis that children will grow out of. Last season about a dozen kids in the community benefited from the new program.
To participate, fill out the survey form: HERE. Please have the form submitted by November 21, as a limited number of skis will be available. The Potsdam Public Library will reach out to families to confirm their participation in the program. Skis will be available as soon as possible and will need to be returned by participants byThursday, April 1, 6-7PM.
Season-long rentals, for kids ages 3-17, from November 2025-April 2026, will cost $100 per child. Scholarships will be available to families who qualify for free or reduced cost lunch. Sign-up forms are available using the link provided or at the Potsdam Public Library.
The program has been funded by the Town of Potsdam, and is supported by Sarah Lister, Director of the Lougheed Center for Applied Learning at SUNY Potsdam, and Grasse River Outfitters in Canton.
There are options available to try cross-country skiing with your family if you are not ready to commit to long-term rentals. Contact Nicandri Nature Center, Massena, for information on free rentals for children and adults. Higley Flow has free rentals for children, with $7 rentals for adults. For more information, visit http://higleyfriends.org/
For more information, email PPL Public Services Manager William Eckert at weckert@potsdamlibrary.org.