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Panhandle Nordic Club
President’ Message: February 2008
President’ Message: February 2008
A few years have passed since the area has seen the bounty of
snow this year has given region wide. Fourth of July has
provided excellent skiing conditions as usual, due in large part
to the hard work of Van Bennett, Glen Truscott and the rest of
our trail groomers.
What is more unusual is the fact that lowland areas like Farragut
and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes near Cataldo have
consistently provided excellent skiing this year. Reports coming
back from trips to Frater Lake, Indian Creeks and the Priest Lake
Nordic Center all have the common theme of great snow conditions.
The cold spell last week was a bonus to those who like to run
fast on their skis. Both Fourth of July and Farragut were
exceedingly fast.
snow this year has given region wide. Fourth of July has
provided excellent skiing conditions as usual, due in large part
to the hard work of Van Bennett, Glen Truscott and the rest of
our trail groomers.
What is more unusual is the fact that lowland areas like Farragut
and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes near Cataldo have
consistently provided excellent skiing this year. Reports coming
back from trips to Frater Lake, Indian Creeks and the Priest Lake
Nordic Center all have the common theme of great snow conditions.
The cold spell last week was a bonus to those who like to run
fast on their skis. Both Fourth of July and Farragut were
exceedingly fast.
I had a fast 12-kilometer run at Farragut Saturday morning before
the big snow came in. The best moment of the run, however,
occurred on the short orange trail. I was skiing it just to cool
down after a longer run. I soon skied up on a father skiing
patiently behind a little girl, maybe four years old. All decked
out in a pink snowsuit. Looking down the trail I could see mom,
breaking trail and encouraging from the lead. They were starting
her out right with only skis and no poles to confuse the basics.
The little girl was ebullient about the experience. She was so
happy to be outdoors and so happy to be skiing with mom and dad.
It took me back to another little girl, now grown into a woman,
and the little red wooden skis that still wait patiently in my
basement to introduce another young one to the Nordic skiing
sports. As I skated around the trio, the importance of
introducing our sport to young kids early came home to me. As
they grow up, you can pretty much bet on them getting into the
thrills of alpine skiing and boarding. However, if my experience
is any example, they eventually come back to Nordic skiing. This
realization came to me about four winters past, when my
daughter’s Christmas visit was quickly coming to an end. She
wanted to ski Fourth of July before she left for Boise. As we
passed the Junction and skied out Havin Fun through the clearcut,
shortness of time required us to turn around at the mile and a
half post. Turning back up the trail she remarked to me, Dad, I
really miss cross-country skiing and plan to do more up by Idaho
City this winter. She continues to make Nordic skiing a part of
her winter activities. So you parents and grandparents, now is
the time to plant the seed of Nordic skiing or snowshoing, now
when they are young and their enthusiasm seems boundless. You
will introduce them to our sport and the wonder of the woods in
the winter.
the big snow came in. The best moment of the run, however,
occurred on the short orange trail. I was skiing it just to cool
down after a longer run. I soon skied up on a father skiing
patiently behind a little girl, maybe four years old. All decked
out in a pink snowsuit. Looking down the trail I could see mom,
breaking trail and encouraging from the lead. They were starting
her out right with only skis and no poles to confuse the basics.
The little girl was ebullient about the experience. She was so
happy to be outdoors and so happy to be skiing with mom and dad.
It took me back to another little girl, now grown into a woman,
and the little red wooden skis that still wait patiently in my
basement to introduce another young one to the Nordic skiing
sports. As I skated around the trio, the importance of
introducing our sport to young kids early came home to me. As
they grow up, you can pretty much bet on them getting into the
thrills of alpine skiing and boarding. However, if my experience
is any example, they eventually come back to Nordic skiing. This
realization came to me about four winters past, when my
daughter’s Christmas visit was quickly coming to an end. She
wanted to ski Fourth of July before she left for Boise. As we
passed the Junction and skied out Havin Fun through the clearcut,
shortness of time required us to turn around at the mile and a
half post. Turning back up the trail she remarked to me, Dad, I
really miss cross-country skiing and plan to do more up by Idaho
City this winter. She continues to make Nordic skiing a part of
her winter activities. So you parents and grandparents, now is
the time to plant the seed of Nordic skiing or snowshoing, now
when they are young and their enthusiasm seems boundless. You
will introduce them to our sport and the wonder of the woods in
the winter.
It has been a busy month with day trips to Frater Lake, Indian
Creek, the Priest Nordic Center, a few moonlight skis and the
Rock Soup Event.
Creek, the Priest Nordic Center, a few moonlight skis and the
Rock Soup Event.
The coming month has a trip to Winthrop scheduled and the Best
Hand Ski Event.
Hand Ski Event.
The Panhandle Nordic Skiing & Snowshoe Club will meet at 7 PM
Tuesday, February 5th at the Fernan Ranger Station in Fernan.
Parking is at the rear of the building. Walk down to the
basement door to enter the meeting room. We will have a short
business meeting, there will be a break to arrange trips and
visit with each other followed by the program.
Tuesday, February 5th at the Fernan Ranger Station in Fernan.
Parking is at the rear of the building. Walk down to the
basement door to enter the meeting room. We will have a short
business meeting, there will be a break to arrange trips and
visit with each other followed by the program.
Marc Kalbaugh will acquaint us with some computer based map
systems that can be used to plan trips. These products now
readily available on line or for a low cost can help you map
distance, estimate elevation gains and even visualize the
topography in three dimensions. These tools are applicable to
winter or summer trips whether these be biking along a paved
trail, skiing into a cabin or hiking to a mountain lake. Hope to
see you at our February meeting.
systems that can be used to plan trips. These products now
readily available on line or for a low cost can help you map
distance, estimate elevation gains and even visualize the
topography in three dimensions. These tools are applicable to
winter or summer trips whether these be biking along a paved
trail, skiing into a cabin or hiking to a mountain lake. Hope to
see you at our February meeting.
Goeff Harvey
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