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Grand Nordic Corner: Brower skiers come out on top at Crested Butte race

Diana Lynn Rau
Grand Nordic Corner
Diana Lynn Rau
Staff Photo |

Thanks one and all! Your snow dances worked – new snow arrived just in time for the Holidays. Keep dancing – we’ve got lots of winter still to come. Keep your backcountry checklist by the door and always tell someone where you are going.

The Grand Nordic skiers put in good performances in Crested Butte at the Winter Solstice Event. Sylvia and Sebastian Brower, of Granby, skiing under the Grand Nordic name, put in top performances at last weekend’s Solstice Showdown cross country ski races in Crested Butte, Colorado. Sylvia, 9, took first place overall in the U10 division freestyle race on a 1.2 kilometer course over Crested Butte’s new homologated track. Sylvia took third place in the classic race Saturday. Sebastian, 12, who skied against a tough field of U14 racers from across the state, advanced to the semi-finals in Saturday’s classic sprint race. Sebastian finished 13th overall out of 20 skiers in the freestyle (skating) race on Sunday. The Solstice Showdown was an official Junior National Qualifier and FIS points race, featuring top skiers from the Rocky Mountain Division of the USSA.



Area Nordic events

The Annual YMCA Classic race is Saturday. Jan. 4, at Snow Mountain Ranch with registration until 9 a.m. The free 2 km kids race starts about 9 a.m. Visit the YMCA website http://www.ymcarockies.org/smrnordicraces.htm to sign up or call 970-887-2152 ext. 4173.



YMCA also offers a waxing clinic every Saturday morning 9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. until March 30 except on race days.

Grand Lake Touring Center is offering free trail passes so everyone can enjoy a Ski Free Day, Jan. 15. Their ongoing scavenger hunt each day gives the first three people to spot Buddy the Bear in the woods a free trail pass.

And, in conjunction with the University of Wyoming coaches and ski team, Grand Nordic offers the last of the series of free lessons to everyone on Sunday, Jan. 5, at the YMCA. Registration is from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. for the morning lessons with Grand Nordic instructors starting at 10 a.m. Registration is from noon – 12:30 p.m. for the 1 p.m. lesson with both Grand Nordic and University of Wyoming coaches and skiers. Lessons are offered for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of both Classic and Skate. Call the YMCA Nordic Center, 970-887-3095 ext. 4173, to sign up or for more information. To sign up for your membership at Grand Nordic, visit http://www.grandnordic.org or call 970-887-0547 for information. Individual rate is $25 and families are $35.

FREE KIDS PROGRAMS

The Friday Fun Kid’s Cross-Country Ski Program at Devil’s Thumb Ranch is from 10-11:30 a.m. on Fridays. Ages are 3-12; most of the kids are 3-6 years old. Fee is $20 for the entire 11 weeks to cover hot chocolate. Contact Devils Thumb Activities Center 970-726-8231.

The YMCA Kids program offers ski instruction for beginners and more accomplished skiers ages 5-15, skiing games, winter nature activities, and ends with a Nordic Ski Festival the last Friday. Both Classic and skate lessons are available as well as lessons for never-evers. The program operates from 1-2:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 through Feb. 23, on both Friday and Sunday. Call Christine Lee at YMCA Nordic Center 970-887-2152 ext. 4173 or Diana Lynn Rau 970-887-0547.

All Grand County kids ski free every Friday with free rentals at the Grand Lake Nordic Center, 970-627-8008.


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