New Grooming Hot Line

March06 Photo of bunny in Bunchgrass

Sorry for the unannounced hiatus. I was out of town for a month working.

There is a new grooming hotline at 435 797 9900.

Up to date grooming information will be disseminated on the hotline and not thru this blog site.

Grooming has not begun at the Nordic Center (near Beaver Mtn) due to lack of snow.
However, Green Canyon has been groomed for diagonal stride. The catch is you must walk about ¾ of mile from the parking lot.

Bunchgrass was OK for turns above the yurt last Sunday and the ski out was OK, even though snow depth is marginal near the highway.

The NU board is working several interesting issues and I’ll try to communicate some of the happenings in the near future.

Generation XC Youth Cross-Country Ski Program!

NEW PROGRAM*
Generation XC
Youth Cross-Country Ski Program

Goals and Program Description. The primary objective of the Generation XC ski program (GXC) is to promote cross-country skiing opportunities for youth in the Cache Valley area, with an emphasis on fun, fitness and skill building, through age appropriate practice groups for skiers of all levels, from novice skiers to advanced racers. To accomplish these goals, the GXC ski program will involve 4 practice groups phased in over the next two winter seasons. For the 2006-07 season, the GXC ski program offers the following practice group:

Recreational. The recreational group is open to all kids 8-13, including those who have never skied. The recreational group emphasizes fun and basic skill building through games and ski play. Skiers learn both classic and skating techniques.

Dates. The initial year of the GXC “Recreational” ski program starts on Saturday, January 6, 2007 and continues each Saturday for 8 weeks through February 24. The Saturday sessions will be held in and around Logan Canyon (snow permitting) and begin promptly at 10:00 am and continue until about 11:30 am. Parents will be responsible for transportation to and from the class and are strongly encouraged to participate.

Registration. Registration forms and information are available on the Campus Recreation website at www.usu.edu/camprec. For further information, contact Kevin Kobe at (435) 797-1502. The cost of the entire 8-week program is $50.

Equipment. Each participant will need an adequate pair of skis, warm boots and poles.
Discounted rental equipment is available for program participants from The Outdoor Recreation Center. Details and costs TBA. Call the ORC at 797-3264 for current information.

Uniforms. Each participant will be provided with a Generation XC uniform (wind jacket and pants), on loan for the season. Uniform pick up is scheduled for November 28 from 5 pm to 7 pm at the ORC. Please bring registration materials to the uniform pick up.

Register Early. For the initial, 2006-07 season, we will cap participation at 25 kids. Be sure to register before November 28 to make sure you don’t miss the cut off.

Additional Information. For more information, contact Kevin Kobe at (435) 797-1502.

NU Ski Team Idea, Tuition Waiver, YS Nordic Fest.

Photo from last season. Fredrick "Fredrick of Sweden" Norrell, in Dry Canyon

Item #1. XC Generation Tuition Waiver

There is a tuition waiver available for a child who is interested in joining the XC Generation learn-to-ski program. Value $50. The criterion is financial need. (no need for paperwork or anything like that) Just contact Kevin, first come first served, confidential.
The XC Generation Program will be featured in a future blog (within 2 weeks) with all the details.

Item #2. Yellowstone Ski Festival

The 27th annual YS Nordic Ski Festival is scheduled for Nov 21-25. It looks like a great way to burn off the turkey. All the info is at http://www.yellowstoneskifestival.com/ or call 406-646-9427

Note: This is a different event than the annual NU skinny ski trip that goes to YS each December. This year experienced guides Tunde and Gino will lead a group of NU'ers to Yellowstone. We'll post/blog the details for that trip within the next 2 weeks.

Item #3. Possible NU Ski Team. Posted by Kevin as a comment yesterday. Good stuff.

***THIS IS JUST A DRAFT IDEA***

PLEASE GIVE ME COMMENTS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS COOL TEAM!!
“Team Nordic United”Nordic ski team proposalNovember 13, 2006Goals and Program Description. The primary objective of Team Nordic United (TNU) is to promote cross-country ski competition opportunities for adults in the Cache Valley area, with an emphasis on fun, fitness and skill building.

To accomplish these goals, TNU will advertise and recruit persons interested in traveling to 4-6 ski competitions in the region during the 2006-07 season.The team is open to all persons aged 18 and above who are interested in a higher level of participation in local and regional races.

The team will meet approximately 1-2 days per week in early December and continuing through mid March 2007. Most of these activities will revolve around training, and planning logistics for participating in local and regional races.

Registration. Persons interested in joining TNU can contact Kevin Kobe at (435) 797-1502 or kevin.kobe@usu.edu.Equipment.

Each team member will need adequate pair ski racing equipment, including the type of skis for the type of racing desired (classic and skating).Uniforms. It is proposed that each participant purchase team uniforms (low key, nothing flashy) with the TNU logo. This could be simply wind jacket and pants, for warm up clothing and/or base layer racing garb, depending on what the team wants and is willing to purchase.

Cost. $125-$200 (uniforms depending on what the group wants)

Possible Race(s): (team members will be responsible for all expenses for races)

December 9-Wasatch Citizen Series, 10km Classic, Soldier Hollow

December 30-Wasatch Citizen Series, 15km Free Technique, White Pine

January 13th – Idaho Nordic Tamarack Loppet: 15km, 30km Free Technique, Tamarack Resort www.idahonordic.com

January 20th – Teton Ridge Classic: 14km, 28km Classic Technique, Driggs www.tetonridgeclassic.com

January 27-Wasatch Citizen Series, 10km Free Technique, Mountain Dell

February 3rd – Boulder Mountain Tour: 32km Free Technique, Ketchum www.bouldermountaintour.com

February 10th – Mink Creek Potato Cup: 5/5km, 10km/10km Pursuit, Mink Creek, Pocatello www.pokyxc.com

February 10-Wasatch Citizen Series, 10km Classic Technique, Sundance

February 24-Wasatch Citizen Series, 20km Free Technique, White Pine Farm

February 24th – Payette Lakes Marathon/Pre-Worlds: 15km, 30km Free Technique Ponderosa, McCall www.mwc2008.com

March 3-Yellowstone Rendezvous, Montana. www.rendezvousrace.com 2km, 5km, 10km, 25km classic, 25km and 50km Free Technique.

March 10-The Ullr Chase, Logan, Utah www.usu.edu/ullr 5km, 10km, 40km Free Technique

March 21-25 National Masters, Bend, Oregon. www.xcskiworld.com