The snow is finally hiding most of the rocks and dirt.  I got out my everyday skis last week and set my rock skis aside.  After my back fusion surgery in early September, I have now been  able to classic ski for a couple of weeks and it feels great!  It is such a joy to glide on snow again, to be outside in the trees or meadows with no one else around.  Since November, I have been watching the Nordic skiers with envy but I didn’t feel too bad since the snow was not very good. Now the white stuff comes and I can float on it…

This year with the Corona Virus pandemic, people need to be outside.  Families need to be outside together.  The Alpine areas are questionable when you need to ride up a lift with others or in a gondola with others.  Many people have resorted to uphill skiing to avoid those confined spaces.  We have all the uphill and downhill space needed at groomed Nordic areas and back country space galore is available all around us.  The weird snow this year has made some areas of more rugged terrain questionable because of the danger of avalanches but there is enough space for everyone. Just be prepared for where you are going.

Nordic gear is designed for many different levels of ability.  For the more timid – try snowshoes if you don’t want speed possible on skis.  Or try running on snowshoes.  Or just walk on classic skis and learn to climb or go down small hills with confidence using a pattern on the ski bottom or a patch of wax that digs into the snow.  Or go as fast as you want or as steep as you want! Skating was invented years ago hoping to get more speed and definitely more cardio workout since the bottom of the ski relies on your outward push to create the forward motion.  You can enjoy the sport knowing a lot of the mechanics or a little. The whole objective is to have fun in the snow! To feel more comfortable, take a lesson at one of the resorts like Devil’s Thumb or Snow Mountain Ranch.  You can learn enough in an hour to be comfortable for weeks.  Or make you hungry for more.  Better yet, get the whole family involved.

Kids love just cruising and will often ski rings around their parents when you entice them with games, animal cutouts, or their own lingo like marching uphill like a soldier or relaxing like a monkey and bend your knees going down the hill.   Keep your hands out and drive your father’s car to steer. Have races skiing on one leg, play games of soccer or Sharks and Minnows or even get pulled by a dog!  Grand Nordic has Kids Friday afternoon FREE classes in January and February at Snow Mountain Ranch where you can bring your 5-10 year-old to see if they like it.  This year we have a shortened program that will start 22 Jan until 26 Feb with no lesson Presidents Day weekend.

In line with Covid restrictions, classes are capped at 20 total for four Classic and Skate groups, social distancing and masks are required and will probably be appreciated.  Pre-registration is required on-line at snowmountainranch.org – search for FREE – click on Grand Nordic Friday Kids Free Lessons. Classes start at 1pm until 230p but, because equipment and trail pass are provided by SMR, families need to arrive early enough to check in and get their gear. Please allow 30-45 minutes. Parents are encouraged to ski along and learn how we have fun and pick up a few tips themselves.  These classes started in the 80’s with Nancy and Jim Young who created the trails at the Y and the tradition has continued ever since. We must be doing something right…

Grand Nordic free lessons on 10 Jan at Snow Mountain Ranch for all ages are again cancelled.  We have tried again – we were ready – but the County is still in a partial RED until 4 Jan. Our lessons involve too many at-risk people to chance spreading Covid when Grand County is starting to get things under control. There will be another year but meanwhile, go to the local areas and do a family lesson.

We can get anyone Nordic skiing!  It is up to you to try, be safe and have fun while doing it…