At the end of a slow-starting season, followed by a quick pounding two weeks of snowpack catchup, the usual up and down on temperatures, and reasonable snow totals, I am tired and ready for a break. I have skied a lot this season trying to catch up after my back surgery. Getting old is not for the faint of heart…but you stick with it!
The best part is seeing new people getting involved in Nordic skiing. Every organization needs new blood and we appreciate new thoughts and smiles. New people at WP Competition Center have brought a whole new spirit of cooperation and competition to the Valley. Bruce and Karen Manske and staff are to be congratulated for their first season of new styles and new events! The Colorado Nordic Masters have shown that the Fraser Valley is a great place for the more elite skier to share and continue learning. Odd Bersvendsen and Sally Brassill and their crew of coaches have greatly increased the depth of local Nordic talent. Todd Lodwick, grooming staff, and the incredible Y volunteers as well as the staff at Programs have changed the whole atmosphere at Snow Mtn Ranch. HTA staff with Meara, Maire, Sean, and Erica have maintained the ever-expanding free skiing trails both in-town and connecting trails, working well with the Towns, Federal agencies, and educating the public. The wonderful Board of Grand Nordic has brought back programs and make them work again despite Pandemic problems. With Grand Nordic concentrating on the youth, schools, and introducing people to Nordic skiing on beginner and intermediate levels, the combination is working… Grand County now has something to offer everyone: top-rated Nordic Centers, fabulous guest ranches, awesome backcountry as well as in-town skiing, lodging, retail and more. To see just what I mean, check out www.skigrandnordic.org.
All in all, it has been a great season and a job well done by all the awesome workers who were very dedicated despite Pandemic issues and being very overworked. All these groups need new people as well… please consider helping any of us next year! Meanwhile we transition to mud season and summer trails season!
Sean Burke, Headwaters Head Groomer, says “HTA is wrapping up their extensive grooming operations but will continue to groom NW Passage and Leland Creek. The Town of Winter Park has plowed their section of the Fraser River Trail. With summer trail work in mind,” Sean continues, “the first two events of the summer will be May 21 (Colorado Public Lands Day – not to be confused with National Public Lands Day in September) and June 4 (National Trails Day). Both of these will be volunteer/trail maintenance training events.” For details on these and all events that have been finalized to date, go to the HTA website events calendar at https://headwaterstrails.org/events/.
Just remember that as the snow melts and trails turn to mud, stay on the roads or paved trails to avoid damage that is very hard to fix later. Treat our trails well during this vulnerable time and they will be perfect for our use in a few weeks. Now is the time to easily fix drainage issues, repair poor trail designs or social trails, and clean up around towns and trails. Join Town of Granby and Town of Hot Sulphur Springs May 7 and the Town of Grand Lake May 14 for community cleanups.
Some other volunteer opportunities –HTA is looking for people interested in being Stewardship Ambassadors at locations across Grand County as well as new and returning trail adopters for the Adopt-A-Trail program. Call 970-726-1013 or go to https://headwaterstrails.org/.
The Grand County Wilderness Group is recruiting new members to help host the cabins at Monarch and Junco Lakes. Contact [email protected] .
