Happy New Year!  Only 6 days until our first practice!  Barring an unpredicted thaw, it looks like we will be on skis this year.  The trails at Snowflake are in good shape on the golf course and behind the Rod & Gun Club.  We could use another few inches on the DNR trails (upper field).

We are going to try a little different format for practices this year.  We will have the Rod & Gun Club building open by 3:40.  Kids can go inside, put on their ski clothes, and grab a quick snack.  There will be no snacks provided after practices this year.  We want everyone to walk across the bridge and put on their skis on the other side.  We will all meet in a big group at 3:55 for some warm-up stretches, and then break out into our smaller groups.  I won't have the groups finalized until the first practice.
 
A few logistics/safety notes:
Parking can be tight at the Rod & Gun.  Remember that the snowmobile trail runs through the parking lot.  Please do not park on the snowmobile trail.  Rod & Gun Club members occasionally shoot their firearms on the range.  We have not had any conflicts during our practices, but be aware this may be occurring at other times and please be courteous; use other trails.

The snowmobile trail also crosses the ski trail in 2 places; on the DNR land and on the golf course.  They are generally looking out for skiers, but please use caution when crossing and do not ski down the snowmobile trails.

Parents of the Polar Bears (generally 4 and 5 year-olds) are encouraged to help them get their skis on and off, and are welcome to join them for the entire practice.  Other parents/friends/etc are welcome to ski on the trails anytime.  Please stop at the Clubhouse and purchase a Nordic button for $30/year.

We really need parents to volunteer their time and staff the food booth at the Ski Jump.  This will be February 1 & 2.  Heidi Jackson will have a sign-up sheet at practices.

For skiers with their own gear; the first 3 practices are classic technique (younger skiers will practice classic technique all season).  Have your skis waxed for the conditions.  Rental gear is already prepared with grip tape.  Make sure the sticky tape is still attached to the kick zone of both skis before practice.

Update on local trails: 
The Viroqua Golf Course is not groomed yet, but there are some skied-in tracks.  Kickapoo Valley Reserve has been groomed, and Chris said it was pretty good.  Skiers have been making their own tracks at Sidie Hollow and Duck Egg Parks.  Both parks get heavy foot traffic, so the ski tracks are usually pretty messed up.  Blue Mound SP and areas closer to Madison should be in great shape.  Visit Skinny Ski at http://www.skinnyski.com/ for complete trail reports.

Looking forward to skiing with everyone next Monday!
Thanks,
Dan