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Grand County Nordic Corner

Diana Lynn Rau, Grand Nordic President
Grand County, CO Colorado

The days are combinations of cold mornings with frost and sometimes snow and the afternoons are still warm and full of sun. Big temperature swings make clothing choices difficult and predicting appropriate activities even more difficult. But people are dragging their gear out of their closets and seeing what fits, what is outdated, and assessing what they need for their lifestyle. Turnout was big for the Competition Center Alpine Swap recently held at the Winter Park Resort. Now it’s time for the GRAND NORDIC SKI SWAP held every year the last Friday in October. Location goes back and forth between the YMCA and Devils Thumb and this year the Swap is upstairs at the Broad Axe Barn at the Devils Thumb Ranch. Admission is free and open to the public. If you have gear to sell, please bring it between 5-6pm to register and label your equipment. To save time, print a copy of the equipment resale form, go to http://www.grandnordic.org. The Ski Swap and Dessert Pot Luck is open from 6pm to 830pm – please bring a dessert to share.

Most things Nordic will be represented. You can renew your membership or join Grand Nordic at the Swap – $5 for students with school ID or $10 for youth under 18, $25 for adult individuals, $35 for an entire family, or $60 for a business membership. You can buy your season membership for the YMCA/ Snow Mountain Ranch, season pass for Devils Thumb Ranch or Grand Lake Nordic Center at preseason prices and a special discount on the Joint SMR/Devils Thumb pass is available ONLY at the Swap. Both SMR and DT will have last year’s equipment and more for sale (credit cards OK for these vendors only) and other vendors may share the floor. Experienced Grand Nordic advisors can help you with gear buying assistance.

If you can’t make the Swap, sign up for your annual membership in Grand Nordic online. Grand Nordic is again having three free lessons for everyone with a lesson day scheduled at each of the major Nordic areas. Grand Nordic members get free trail pass and rentals that day so it is perfect to try skating or just hone in your skills with classes available from kids to never-ever, intermediate and advanced for both skate and classic. What a deal! This year, free lessons are December 1 at the Devils Thumb Tommelfest, December 16 at Grand Lake, and January 06 at the YMCA-Snow Mtn Ranch. Local ski shops and Nordic Centers give discounts ranging from 15-20 pct to club members on merchandise and both day and season passes. Moonlight skiing and Trek dates will be announced later on our website. Benefits are shared with Grand Nordic and Boulder Nordic members as well and are outlined on our website http://www.grandnordic.org. Visit our website to keep abreast of events, races, kids skiing programs, school races, volunteer opportunities and more. Free kids lessons are held each winter at each Nordic area – watch here for details or visit the website.



Grand Nordic also supports our Middle Park high School and East Grand Middle School XC teams and other school Nordic program wherever possible. Come get your Grand Nordic cowbell to make noise at the races and find out how to volunteer your time to support our kids and help races run smoothly.

US forest in Winter Park Reopens



The USFS closure outside Winter Park was lifted last week. The Sulphur Ranger District thanks the public for observing the closures while their contractors improved the safety along roads and trails in our national forests. Please be aware that there will be ongoing hazard tree cleanup projects in many areas around Winter Park so please be cautious in the area, watch for signs and comply with temporary closures. This week, the Grand Lake area hazard tree removal operation has flaggers to keep roads open to hunting traffic and some camping areas are restricted. Remember, these precautions are in place for your safety so all ahead at 970-887-4100 before planning your trip.

Diana Lynn Rau

Grand Nordic President

POB 695 Tabernash CO 80478

H/B 76 Fawn Lane POB 757

Fraser CO 80442

970-887-3095/fax 970-887-3086

toll free 866-759-6867/cell 970-655-8036

dianalrau@cs.com


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