Despite warmer temperatures and sunny days, the snow is holding in there and Nordic conditions are pretty good for this time of year. I for one don’t want to go near the Alpine crowds and ski lifts during the holidays! At least on the many kilometers of Nordic trails in Grand County, you can go for hours and never see a soul. Whether you’re skiing on the groomed trails at resorts like Devils Thumb Ranch, Grand Lake Nordic, or Snow Mountain Ranch; guest ranches like Granby Ranch, CLazyU Ranch, or Latigo Ranch; the community systems groomed by Headwaters Trails Alliance; or the miles of Denver Waterboard trails groomed for access to their water diversion dams used by snowmobiles and skiers alike, you’re in Nordic heaven.
For those lucky enough to get new gear for Christmas, Congratulations! Consider donating your old gear to Grand Nordic if you don’t want it anymore. When you clean out the garage, drop off unwanted gear in our NORDIC collection boxes at the Fraser and Granby Libraries. No clothing please. We refurbish it as possible and get it to people for $10 or $20 who can’t spent $100 and more on new XC skis, boots, or poles. For kids who keep growing, talk to Nordic Centers about season rental programs like the Snow Mountain Ranch “Trade-Up Program”.
If you haven’t gotten your new gear yet, take a look at the fall Gear Testing issue of Cross Country Skier magazine. The new gear testing was done at our own Snow Mountain Ranch in March by mainly local skiers invited by Grand Nordic. This was the second year the testing was done locally and we have it scheduled again for this spring. You’ll probably know most of the people in the pictures…
Whether you have new gear or old gear like mine, come out and join us for some “racing” fun! It’s recreational skiing with bibs for some yet serious competition for others. These are great races in great places. In 2025, Grand County Nordic Ski Racing is putting on 8 Nordic races, both skate and classic, with long and short course options. This is your chance to participate no matter your age, gender, or ability. There are even kids and family options. Pick your race or participate in the series, progressively increasing your distance to the series finale at the Snow Mountain Stampede.
Points will be awarded for each event completed. You may participate in as many or as few events as your schedule permits. Points from all events completed within the category you signed up for will count towards your overall series standing. Each event will offer a “long course, short course, as well as a 3k junior course (12 and under)”. The Snow Mountain Stampede and the Devil’s Thumb Stagecoach may offer additional distances that won’t be included as “points races” for the series. Kids 18 and under pay only $10 to compete.
Four great partner venues will host the events! This is one of our main fundraisers for youth Nordic programs in Grand County. If you would like to be involved but don’t want to race, you’ll find a link to sign up to volunteer for each race.
Grand County Nordic Race Series 2025 includes the following 8 events:
- SMR 15k Skate Race – Jan 5, 2025
- SMR 15k Classic Race -Jan 11, 2025
- GN 30k Skate Race at SMR – Jan 18, 2025
- DT Stagecoach 30k Classic Race – Jan 25, 2025
- Granby Ranch 15k Skate Race – Feb 15, 2025
- Latigo Ranch 20k Skate Race – Mar 1, 2025
- 41st Annual SMR Stampede 50k Skate Race – Mar 8, 2025
- 41st Annual SMR Stampede 50k Classic Race – Mar 9, 2025
For details or to register, https://skigrandnordic.org/grand-nordic-race-series/
