Reply #85: depends where you live

[Retrograde]

my nephews, in a rural part of upstate New York, could ski in their back yard. When I was little we used to skate on frozen fields. It's still a far cry from Olympic-quality facilities, though.

Talented youngsters headed for international competition don't train on neighborhood facilities, no matter what the sport. Once they get good enough to attract sponsors they tend to move to more expensive, year-round facilities.

What I want to know is why we don't see more cross-training:e.g., sprinters training for short track skating and vice versa.