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Time strat back at the basics for cross country

Diana Lynn Rau / Grand NordicGrand County, CO Colorado

The Snow has finally come to the Fraser Valley so it’s time to start thinking about the basics. Grand Nordic Ski Swap was at the end of October but used equipment is available at each of the Nordic areas plus Icebox Mtn Sports in Fraser and the Trading Company in Winter Park. Or go for the Christmas sales currently offered on new gear! Due to lack of snow, the FREE Nordic lessons have been rescheduled – Devil’s thumb is now THIS SATURDAY Dec. 15 but Grand Lake (scheduled for Sunday) has been postponed. Lessons are FREE for everyone – Classic and Skate, adult and kids, morning and afternoon. And Grand Nordic members ALSO get free equipment rental and free trail passes. Nonmembers pay regular prices as needed but lessons are still free. Go to http://www.grandnordic.org to become a member, 25.00 for individuals and 35.00 for your entire family.Come join us on Saturday, Dec. 15, at Devil’s Thumb for Lessons taught by DU and CU ski teams and coaches plus Boulder Nordic Sports and Grand Nordic coaches. The Ski clinics are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with registration from 8:30-9:30 a.m.. Classes include beginner, intermediate and advanced levels for both classic and skate as well as kids 12 and under classic, skate and never-ever. Free demo equipment is available from Swix, Alpina, Rossignol, Salomon, and Fischer. There is a free Happy Hour Waxing Clinic from 3:30-4:30 p.m.. Sign up with Devils Thumb Activities Desk at 970-887-8231 as classes are capped at 10 students. We will announce as soon as possible, the new date for the postponed lessons for Grand Lake. Sunday, Jan. 6, join us at YMCA Snow Mtn Ranch Nordic Center for FREE lessons at another Grand County Nordic area. This is a great opportunity to try different locations and keep learning new skills. Or try skating when you have only done classic technique before. Classes are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. for all levels and the University of Wyoming will be assisting for the afternoon sessions – check the YMCA website at http://www.ymcarockies.org for more information or call 970-887-2152 x 4173 to signup.Nordic ski coaches from Denver University will be at Snow Mountain Ranch on Sunday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon for skate technique clinics. This is a great, affordable opportunity for beginner-intermediate through advanced skiers to learn from some of the best Nordic coaches in the country. The cost is $25 and the clinic runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Call the YMCA to sign up or go online.The first full moon skis of the season will be Friday, Dec. 28, at Grand Lake Touring Center, Devils Thumb and the FVMRD Pole Creek Golf Course on Dec. 29. The Grand Lake Touring Center is featuring a campfire, hot cocoa & marshmallows with Chili served in the lodge until 7:30 p.m. Pole Creek starts their ski or snowshoe evening at 5 p.m. with Bistro 28 now open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights 430-830 p.m. – call 970-887-9797 for reservations. Pole Creek has the greens roped off and winter XC skiing is allowed with your dog friends. Nothing is groomed but a trail will be marked for the full moon skis. PLEASE RESPECT THE GREEN CLOSURES!High schoolersThe Middle Park High School and East Grand Middle School teams have started practices and will begin competition in January. More information coming up next week on these teams, their coaches, and their skiers. New this year, check http://www.EGSD.org and click on schools to find schedules and more for both teams.Kids ski freeFree Kids programs begin the first weekend in January and run through the end of February. Devils Thumb works with ages 3-10 on Friday mornings and the YMCA works with ages 5-15 Friday and Sunday afternoons at 1p. Grand Lake has several dates set up, please check their website. More info coming.Trails skiThe Ski Treks held by Headwaters Trail Alliance and Grand Nordic last year in conjunction with the Winter Carnival were so popular that we are trying to plan them again this year. We will have more information at a later date.It’s time to start skiing. Get out there and enjoy Grand County.


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