Right on schedule, snow has already landed in the High Country making us diehards start dreaming. Storms this week are leaving traces that, sadly, will melt then it will snow again! Hopefully the hardcore might soon find enough of the white stuff in high country to do a little sliding on their older rock skis but it could be weeks. I think we’re still dreaming and hoping for as much white stuff as we can get but it will probably be November at the earliest.
To really get your mouth watering for the snow season, Grand Nordic and Snow Mountain Ranch are hosting the Annual Nordic Ski Swap and Expo at the SMR Nordic Center on SATURDAY. October 24. Start at 1pm at the Campers Hub for used gear, visit the vendors, clubs, businesses and other Nordic Centers on the parking lot for better gear, then make your way to the Nordic Center for special deals on SMR gear! Don’t forget to stay for the Wax clinic or drop off your skis for Nordic Center prep and waxing. Join the skier presentations on the 2026 American Birkebiner, the Master World Cup in Italy, Holmenkollen in Norway, and coaches from the High School and Winter Park Competition Center Teams. Learn information on new scholarships available to help our kids with coaching and specialty skis equipment annual rentals. Just pray for great weather…
The market for used gear is big! So many more people are learning Nordic. If you see a good deal, grab it as several local retail shops will have sales to clear out the old inventory to make way for the new! Grand Nordic offers cheap equipment for the occasional skier as well as better equipment for the slightly more serious. The best part is that we have advisors to help you find what is right for you at the price you can afford!
Cleaning out your garage or storage closets? Upgrading your gear? Consider donating to Grand Nordic…the Fraser and Granby libraries have donation boxes (no clothes please). We refurbish the gear, distribute it to schools, people in need, or sell these items at the Swap for 5-10-20 bucks! For donations of better equipment, Grand Nordic can give you a tax receipt!
Or if you want, Grand Nordic encourages individuals to sell their own used gear – skis, boots, poles, roller skis, clothing, backpacks and other appropriate Nordic gear – classic, skate, backcountry, etc . Bring your stuff to the SMR Nordic Center parking lot 12 noon to 1pm Saturday Oct 24 – download the equipment resale form on www.grandnordic.org , fill it out before coming, and mark your gear appropriately. Once gear is marked correctly, your items can be placed on a table and will be processed through Grand Nordic. You get a check in the mail minus a 20pct donation to Grand Nordic. Partners offering club members discounts have been encouraged to bring any gear they might have as well as the local retail shops that are represented on the All Things Nordic website www.skigrandnordic.org. The Swap and Expo is 1pm until 4pm; gear must be picked up by 5pm or is considered donated to Grand Nordic. We’ll have experienced skiers to offer buying and fitting advice. No matter your interest – skiing classic tracks or skate skiing at resorts and ranches, high country with clouds of powder on wild slopes, or tamer backcountry on the valley network of summer roads and trails that are packed in winter for snowmobiles and foot travel – the Swap will have something for you. And the prices are right!
Purchase your 2026-27 season Grand Nordic membership (for member discounts, specials and information email blasts) and your YMCA family membership (which includes Nordic Skiing and lodging discounts!). Look for information on Grand Nordic Free Lesson Days, the Ranch2Ranch Trek, the Fifth Annual Grand County Nordic Race series, and our latest in member benefits and Nordic partners. See the latest and greatest from equipment reps. Get a ticket entering the Swap and win hourly door prizes. Learn waxing. Food is available at the YMCA food truck, the YMCA Buckboard Grill or Schlessman Commons buffet.
For more information, check the www.grandnordic.org website, contact Diana Lynn Rau at Grand Nordic cell 970-887-0547, or Jeff Paulson at cell 970-685-0941 Visit the Grand Nordic Facebook page or on Instagram. Volunteers are always needed – email Chris Lee skiswap@grandnordic.org or signup online at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CACAD2EA7FACF8-66417744-grand#/
