Saturday Morning Track Report

Randy just called.  He's been out trying to groom at the golf course, but the snow is too wet and clumpy - it's just getting pushed around. He'll try again tonight when it cools down.  Meanwhile, we expect more snow today.  As it settles in, we will have the makings for a really good skate and classic track.

Redd's Grill Restaurant on site

I was thrilled when I heard that we now have a year-round restaurant in the Club House at the Teton Lakes Golf Course.  There's nothing better than a good day of skiing - except maybe a good day of skiing and eating.  People coming to ski or sled can stop in for a meal or hot chocolate or whatever.  Check out the Redd's Grill website reddsgrill.com for the menu, hours, and other information.  Yippee!

Morning Grooming Report

Randy and Doug have been at it again - THANK YOU!! Thanks to them, the track was groomed last night and again this morning, setting the track after yesterday's afternoon/evening snow and again after last night's overnight snow.

Late Night Grooming:

Doug sent this at 1am (do these guys ever sleep?).
The trail is in fair condition, you can skate on most of it without scraping.  Beware of the asphalt cart paths and over the bridges.  It would be great to have some skiing to help set the base and hold the snow where it tends to blow off (south facing ridges).

Let the fun begin!

Early Morning Grooming:

Randy just called with a 7am grooming report (he's been out for a couple of hours).
The skate track is groomed and setting up nicely. We have a good cover of snow, but you might want to still use your rock skis if you have some.  There is still not enough snow to set a classic track.



Rock skis, by the way, are skis that can take a few extra nicks and scratches without making you cry. There are really only two kinds of skis, says fasterskier.com, rock skis and future rock skis.

Enjoy the day!

Trail Conditions

Randy and Doug are already hard at work to set the base for the skate track. There's currently enough snow to scoot around on classic skis (no classic track set yet), and there's enough snow to skate a bit (no groomed trail yet). It will only take a bit more snow before we will be at good skating and classic skiing!

2016-2017 Nordic Club Intro Letter

Dear Nordic Ski Club,

Wow!  This makes three years in a row, and we are growing!  Coaches Joel Simpson, Steve Barrus and Stephanie Hancock (you can call us Coach or our first names, or Coach [last name] or whatever you want) are returning this year for another wonderful winter season.  Most of you have already registered (thanks!), but I’m including others from last year who might still be interested in joining this year.  If you are interested, please register through the City Rec Dept.  ASAP so we can get a good head count.  Even if you aren’t using City Skis, we need to have you registered for liability reasons.  Also, some of you may be attending only once a week instead of twice; that’s totally fine.

We have some of the best grooming around (I’d say the very best, actually), with wonderful skiing when we have snow (thanks, Randy and Doug!).  We also have an on-site port-a-potty (thanks, Jeff C. and Rexburg City!).  The Nordic Community is growing quickly.  Welcome aboard!

Our first practice will be December 12th at 4:15 (the bus usually drops kids off by 4, then they have time to put on winter clothes).  We will hand out the few City Skis we have (they’ve all been loaned out, see below).  If you can track down skis before then, you can either have a parent bring them that day or drop them off at my house before 2pm Monday and I can bring them for you. 

PLEASE  READ THROUGH THIS WHOLE LETTER FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION (sorry it’s so long!).

By the way, no experience is needed.  Those who know a little more will help those who know a little less.  Getting out in the winter is a great way to maintain fitness and sanity!  :)  We’ll have a lot of fun.

The City only has 8 sets of ski equipment, which have all been loaned out.


Rentals
However, if you don’t have skis don’t panic.  We will try to get you on skis.  Forrest Southam has a supply of classic skis, boots and poles that can be rented at Sticks N Stones at 49 East Main Street.  For a season of rental skis, contact him directly at forrestglade at gmail dot com .  Forrest is super easy to work with.  He may have some skate skis, too (ask him about that).  Additionally, you can rent classic and skate ski packages at the BYU-I Outdoor Resource Center (208-496-7337).  I think that’s a daily rental, not a seasonal rental.  In the past, they’ve offered ski club members a discount - ask them about that.
Finally, I have a couple of my own skis that we can try to fit people into as a last resort, but very limited boot sizes.  We’ll do what we can -  we want everyone to get out and ski.

Buy your own
Go ahead and look around on Craig’s List and local stores if you’re interested in purchasing skis (which I recommend if possible).  They do NOT have to be high-end expensive skis.  As you get into the sport more, you may want to upgrade eventually.  Feel free to start on either classic skis (cheaper, and a good way to start) or skate skis (more pricey, but fun).
The closest ski shop is probably Idaho Mountain Trading in Idaho Falls.  The closest specialty shops (which have a bigger selection) are in Driggs (Peaked Sports, Yostmark), West Yellowstone (Free Heel and Wheel), and Jackson (Skinny Skis).  There’s also shop in Pocatello (Barrie’s Ski & Sports).  

There used to be - and maybe still are - some consignment shops that might be a good spot to check:
Victor Outdoor Seconds in Victor, Idaho
Headwall Recycle Sports in Jackson,Wyoming

Also, I've been told that Play it Again Sports in Idaho Falls sometimes has good nordic ski equipment.  

GENERAL INFO & SCHEDULE

Ages: 

Grades 7-12

Days: 

M & Th Practice, excluding Holidays and school closure days.  No practices over Christmas Break.

Time:  

4:15-5:15. Once we have more daylight, we may extend to 5:30 (probably mid-January).

Dates:  

December 12 through approximately February 27, as weather permits (if there's no snow, we can still do dry-land training.  If it's a blizzard, we may cancel that day.  Check the blog for updates, and I will send emails.  If we run out of snow before Feb 27, we may end our season a little earlier than the 27th). 

DRESS WARMLY AND IN LAYERS.  Fingers need to be covered - please!  Wear good gloves, hats, warm socks, warm layers of snow clothes.  You may get too warm, so be prepared to shed layers.

SKIS can be stored on-site at our Ski Club Shed.  I will show up early each practice to unlock the shed.  You can leave your backpack and stuff in there during practice.  

BUS: Check with the Madison School District Transportation Department (208)359-3265 to find out which Jr. High or which High School Bus takes kids to the TETON LAKES GOLF COURSE (not the Municipal Golf Course).  You’ll likely need to send a note.  NO SKIS ALLOWED ON BUSES.

I hope that’s everything for now.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Remember to check the blog regularly.

Many thanks,

Stephanie

2016-2017 Winter Season

Practice for the Nordic Ski Club, for grades 7-12, will begin December 12 and meet on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:15-5:15 through mid-February (no ski club on days when school is out).  The Club meets at the Teton Lakes Golf Course, snow or no snow.   

Kids can take buses from school - please contact the Madison School District Transportation Department at 208-359-3265 or visit their website for information on which bus to take from the Junior High or from the High School.  Once we get snow, kids can store ski equipment on site.  

Coaches Steve Barrus, Joel Simpson and Stephanie Hancock will teach both classic and skate skiing techniques, so bring whichever type of Nordic ski (skate or classic) you have.  (In an ideal world, it'd be great if everyone had both a skate and a classic set, but we're just happy to have you come on whatever skis you have.)  

No prior cross-country ski experience necessary, all levels welcome.  

Start looking for skis, bindings, boots, and poles - there are only a limited number of City skis for rent.  Check out the rental tab for more information on ski rental options.

 Contact stephanie_hancock@mac.com with any questions.

Classic or traditional technique in XC