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Nordic Corner: Free lessons for kids and Nordic race series continue this weekend

Diana Lynn Rau
Grand Nordic
A child skis during Kids Free Fridays at Snow Mountain Ranch.
Grand Nordic/Courtesy photo

What a weekend of Nordic events it was!

On Friday, kids who have never skied before were spread over the flank of the Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center with grins on their faces and giggles in the air as they suddenly could glide across the snow and actually control where they go! The more experienced classic and skate skiers had already taken off for the hills, but the joy of these never-evers was infectious, and people stopped to watch and admire the fun.

Saturday was a day for the classic skier with colder temps and new snow to challenge the racers. Almost 100 skiers braved the weather with Ryan Sederquist turning in the best time overall of 53 minutes, 39 seconds for the 15K course. Stina Boden finished best among women in 1:03:54. The 7.5K short course leader was Lucas Wik crossing at 29:16 while sister Kajsa Wik led the women with a 32.30 finish. The 3K leader was Ben Kaune from East Grand Middle School at 14:58 with Elliott Adema leading the gals at 17.29. It was a great course with a solid base under the new snow.



The Grand Nordic free community lessons on Sunday were a huge success with about 230 people registered. But class sizes remained small with instructors from Grand Nordic, Winter Park Competition Center, Colorado Nordic Masters, Summit Masters, Snow Mountain Ranch and Middle Park High School sharing their knowledge. Grand Nordic offers two free lessons each season, so those who had to cancel will have to wait until next December to try again, or the resorts all have great instructors to help you out.

If you haven’t signed up your 5- to 10-year-old for the free Friday lessons at Snow Mountain Ranch, go to GrandNordic.org and click on Youth/School Programs. The 1 p.m. classes fill up almost every week through the end of February. Parents can sign up to help and learn how much fun the kids have.



Looking ahead to this weekend, Saturday is the third race in the Grand County Nordic Race Series with a 30K, 15K and 3K skate challenge at Snow Mountain Ranch. The long race is two laps of a 15K course that will be perfectly groomed for skate. Find more information and sign up to race or volunteer at SkiGrandNordic.org

New snow is predicted through the night Friday, but the groomers will have a good handle on the course for Saturday’s races. Dress in warm layers, with good head and hand coverings, to be outside in the single digits and slight winds that are forecast. 

The fourth race in the series, the 10th annual Stagecoach Classic, is Jan. 25 at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. The classic race features 30K, 15K and 3K courses. An end-of-race celebration will be held at Broad Axe Barn with food and beer. Registration closes Jan. 24. For details and to sign up, visit DevilsThumbRanch.com/events. 

Volunteers are needed for both races. Go to SkiGrandNordic.org for all the race series event details and to sign up.

Middle Park High School is hosting a CHSAA race for high school and middle school athletes starting at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 25 at Snow Mountain Ranch combined with collegiate races that day and the next. Volunteers are always needed for this wonderful event, as well. Students can earn volunteer hours by helping with the races.

Go out and enjoy the races!

Diana Lynn Rau is the president of Grand Nordic. She writes the Nordic Corner column weekly during winter. Contact her at president@grandnordic.org.

Diana Lynn Rau
Courtesy photo

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