(Fall 2010)
By MICHAEL MINEAU
Glacier Nordic Club, in cooperation with FVCC, has groomed a cross country ski trail on campus that is available to students and the community. This will be the third winter that Glacier Nordic Club and FVCC have put a groomed trail on FVCC property.
There had been times when maintenance was needed due to vandalism. People driving their vehicles on the trail behind Walmart and Home Depot have left huge ruts, which are hard to remove. Ruts from vehicles are not the only source of vandalism that occurs on the trail.
“The newest problem has been students and non-students walking on the groomed trail,” Steve Muller, who is with Glacier Nordic Club. “This creates deep footprints in the trail, which freeze solid. We're working on educating students not to walk, run, or snowshoe on the groomed trails.”
There are approximately five miles (eight kilometers) of cross-country ski trails suitable for people of all abilities. There is a beginners' loop at the beginning of the trail, and the trail-head is in the Arts of Technology parking lot on the north side of the Early Childhood Center building. A $2 minimum is requested for maintenance of the trail, and the donation box is located at the trail head.
“Most skiers have been very generous with donations, and often putting in more than the requested donation,” Muller said. “Grooming is done as needed, but usually Tuesday, Thursday, and on the weekends.”
Weekends draw the most cross-country skiers. This year the Junior Nordic Team practices on the trail after school. The best time to use the trail is during the week days because that is when it is least crowed.
“The best time to ski there would be after a recent grooming,” Muller said. “The trail also gets a lot of use weekdays after work. It's actually very bright on the trails w/ the ambient light from the shopping centers. I love to ski in the dark with a headlamp.”
With the establishment of this trail more people in the Flathead are going to be introduced to the sport.
“I see more and more new faces each year,” said Shae Weber, who has been cross-country skiing for the past five years. “I'm excited for this sport in this valley. Cross-country skiing is not only therapeutic, but it sure beats going to the gym. I think this trail will help the growth of the sport.”
Glacier Nordic Club's goal would be that this can continue for the years to come, and to make the trail available all year.
“I envision having a permanent all-season trail that could be used for running and walking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter,” Muller said. “FVCC has been very supportive of this great community service.”
Michael Mineau is a student in Journalism 101C, News Writing and Reporting.
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