New Location for 2015!

Krause Monument has graciously agreed to host us for practices this year.  They are located at 806 S. Main Street Viroqua (one building south of Believer's Church).  Krause will be open for business during our practices, so please be considerate of this.  Try to park in the back or on the side.  We will only use the back door to limit our area of impact.

We will have practices on Monday afternoons as usual.  The first practice will be January 5th.  Right now it looks like we will have a "dryland practice".  This will include some warm-ups, running and bounding with poles, games, etc.

Bluedog Hours

Hello Skiers,

Just a quick note to make you all aware of the days and times that Bluedog Cycles will be available to fit you with equipment before our first practice on Monday, January 5^th.

If you did not go to the informational meeting we held in Westby earlier this month and lease your equipment, or come in since then, it’s time to stop in.

As we’ve done in the past, we will be working with the Ski Club to lease equipment for the winter/snow season.

We do have limited days that we are open between now and the first practice. The days that we will be open are-

 

Closed December 25^th-January 2^nd

Friday 2^nd 8-6

Saturday 3^rd 9-3

Sign up night for 2015 Ski Season

It's that time of year again.  Join us for another frosty, fun winter of skiing at Viroqua Hills Golf Course.  We will have 8 practices on Monday evenings starting on January 5th.

Sign up night is Wednesday, Dec 10th from 5-7pm at the Westby library (in basement).

Please return gear to Bluedog

Hello Skiers,
It was a great season and we are already thinking about next year. It would appear that despite a couple more winter-like days, we are done with snow. So if you could all bring your ski equipment back to Bluedog soon that would be great. The crew over there is in the throws of bike world and would like to get all the winter stuff moved so they have more room for bikes.
Bluedog's hours of operation are-
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8-6
Wednesday and Saturday 9-3
Sunday and Monday- CLOSED
Please don't forget ALL of the equipment- Skis, Poles and Boots.

Thanks for the great Season,
Gear Guy Pete

Another great year!

Regulation Capture-the-Flag field

Epic conditions for a rousing game of capture the flag at the last practice.  Thanks for everyone's participation, and all the help from the coaches, groomers and snackers!  I hope you enjoyed the new venue at the golf course. 

If you didn't get your certificate at the pot luck, I took the remainders to Bluedog.  You can pick it up when you return your equipment.  If you did not get a neck wrap, let me know.  There are a few left.  These hats and gloves were left at the VFW:

Thanks for skiing with us this year; looking forward to next year already.

Potluck details

Please bring your owns plates, cups, napkins and utensils.

We will need some parents to arrange and wipe down the picnic tables in the pavilion.  I will get a fire going in the barbeque pit around 3:30pm.  I'll need a volunteer grill master (or two).

The trails should be OK, especially if it gets cold and sets up tonight.  I wasn't able to set tracks because the trail is narrow and the snow is thin.  It should be fun though.

EOY Potluck @ VFW Pavillion!

We will have our last practice at the VFW (across the highway and behind the bakery).  There is enough snow on the trails in the woods.  The kids will ski a little and play some games, then we will have a potluck cook out in the outdoors pavilion from about 5-6pm.

Even if you haven't been at the last few practices, please come on Monday; I'll have some Borah neck wraps and the certificates.  You can bring skier's siblings, too.

Here are some suggestions for what kind of food to bring:

Group	#	Coach	First	Last
Arctic Explorer	7	Dan Goltz	Hannah	Falter
"Grillables"		608-485-0876	Emily	Palm
(weiners/brats/			Teresa	Falter
tofudogs, etc)			Theresa	Liebert
			Isaac	Farrell
			Dominic	Falter
			Michela	Palm
Snow Leopard 2	6	Bill Humphrey	Amory	Lenarz
"Grillables"		608-606-9004	Tullen	Farrell
(weiners/brats/			Mathew	Krings
tofudogs, etc)			Agnes	Falter
			Ben	Ashley
			Serena	Storbaken
Snow Leopard 1	8	Nick Wroblewski	Jae	Arnold
salad		612-724-1262	Sadie	Knutson
(veggie, pasta)			Katrina	Koppa
			Joy	Hubbard
			Valerie	Hurth
			Emma	Krings
			Ada	Lenarz
			Ruby	Magnan Elliot
Ptarmigans	5	Thom Falter	Gabbi	Callow
buns and condiments		608-721-9339	Kai	Clark
		608-634-6608	Dylan	Katieb
			Genesee	Goltz
			Trula	Clark
Arctic Fox 2	8	Bjorn Bergman	Fischer	Olson
side dish		651-276-8875	Jesse	Porter
			Abe	Callow
			John	Falter
			Esther	Croster
			Beatrix	Koppa
			Bridget	Palm
			Solvin	Arnold
Arctic Fox 1	7	Jen Bjorklund	Adyn	Brudos
side dish		608-634-4348	River	Magnan Elliot
			Andrew	Farrell
			Lily	Rozeske
			Gibson	Wade
			Wynne	Roberts
			Zachary	Bjorklund
Polar Bear 2	10	Douglas Hurth	Cedar	Semanchin
dessert		608-632-4272	Emma	Brudos
			Isaac	Fouts
			Elias	Lenz
			Hudson	Running
			Lilah	Bendel
			Addisu	Wright
			Greta	Lenarz
			Pelle	Arnold
			Boyd	Mowery
Polar Bear 1	8	Bryn Hawklove	Pema	Hutter-Rennilson
drinks		608-632-4011	Margo	Wade
			Chralotte	Brudos
			August	Roberts
			Quincy	Hurth
			Hazel	Goltz
			Gabe	Fouts
			Ivy	Clark

Aloha from Viroqua

"Aloha, Mr. Hand."

I hope everyone enjoyed the warm and slushy ski as much as I did.  Hazel is still talking about watching Coach Bryn go "head over tail" into the snow and when his head finally came up, his ears were full of snow.

I'm hoping that it cools off enough that we can pull off one more practice on the 17th.  The pot luck is up in the air.  VFW had another commitment.  If it is warm enough, we could consider grilling some dogs and brats and tailgating in the parking lot?..  Let me know if you have any other ideas.

Find a warm costume for Monday

Monday is Costume Day.  Try to find a warm costume that you can ski in.  The forecast has been up and down, but it will probably be around 10 degrees at practice time.

Also, Monday March 17th will be our final practice.  We usually have a nice potluck dinner afterward.  I don't think the Church basement will really accommodate us.  If you have any ideas for another location in town where we can hold the potluck, please let me know.

Sundog Skier - by Coach Nick

Bundle Up!

Another change in the weather leaves us with cold temps for Monday's practice.

The recent thaw/freeze cycle has left the snow difficult to work with.  Our groomers are out there making the best of it, but be prepared for some icy spots on Monday.

I will be gone on Monday, but I'll line up a replacement coach for my group, perhaps great grand uncle Sven.


Stoic Skaters "enjoying" last week's powder...

We will ski Monday!

Regardless of the impending snow storm, we will have practice on Monday.  You can expect fresh snow, soft conditions, and buried tracks.  It may be more of an 'expedition style' practice, but it will be fun.

Even if there are school closures, there will be ski practice.  See you tomorrow!
-Dan

Postponed Again

Sunset Skiers - by Coach Nick

Sorry folks; we're going to cancel practice again.  I talked to a few other coaches and we just don't think it would be enjoyable to ski when the high is 2 degrees, with a minus 10 windchill.  On the bright side, we are going to extend the season at least 2 weeks into March (provided enough snow sticks around).

Snow Leopards and Arctic Explorers should try to get into Bluedog this week and pick up their skis and poles.  Your poles should come up to your chin/lips for skating.  If you can't make it into Bluedog, we will bring your gear out to the next practice.  We'll try to get some grooming done so you might be able to get out and enjoy the snow once it warms up around Wednesday.

Welcome back!

Looks like we should have good conditions for today's practice.

A couple notes:
Arctic Explorers (Dan) and Snow Leopards (Bill/Jerry and Nick) will switch over to skating after today's practice.  Make sure your skis and poles get into Coach Dan's car (blue VW wagon with ski box on top) after practice.  I will try to park it right where we take our skis on/off.

Polar Bear parents (Douglas/Andrea and Bryn's groups) are encouraged to stay with their kids during practice.  I understand some kids, like my own, may be tempted to fuss a little more in the presence of a parent.  However, it is fairly common that these little skiers get cold or need a trip inside to use the bathroom.  Last practice one of the coaches ended up shuttling Polar Bears back and forth for most of the practice.  If you can't stick around, at least make sure another parent can attend to your child if they need help.  This lets the coaches focus on skiing with the rest of the group.

Thanks,
Dan

Wax Clinic at Bluedog

Wednesday night at 6:30.  Learn about waxing your classic and skating skis for training and racing.  If you have a race coming up, I'd be happy to wax your boards; bring them along.  No charge.

Practice Cancelled

Too cold to ski on Monday.  We'll have to wait another week.  Hopefully we can stretch the season out into March.

Congrats to Dominic (10km) and Genesee (5km) at the Dam Phunski today.

I will be giving a wax clinic at Bluedog Cycles on Wednesday January 29th at 6:30pm.

Get outside on Sunday before the next frigid blast hits us!

Dam Phunski and Frigid Monday

Thanks to the abundance of winter this winter, the Dam Phunski ski race will be held this Saturday at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. There are distances of 1km, 5km and 10km, based on age.  Categories include classical and freestyle (skating) technique.  For more information, click here.  Friday through Sunday may be the only break we get from the frigid temperatures, so try to get out to the Reserve and ski this weekend.

It looks like we may have to cancel practice again on Monday (forecast high of -6).  I'll update the blog on Saturday.  If coaches are available, and all this snow sticks around, I would like to extend the season for a week or two into March.  Stay tuned...

Bring on the skiers!

Thanks to Jason for getting the sled running and Joe for grooming up a storm!  Conditions look great out there, and the forecast warmed up a bit with even a chance of flurries.  The Park Dept was out grooming this morning, too.  If you have time later in the week, check out the rest of the trails at the Golf Course (both sides of the highway).

Snack Tips and cold temps

This from the Snack Crew of Tanja and Angela:

"There will be hot cocoa and snacks available on Monday.  In order to reduce waste, please send a travel mug with your child; we will not be providing disposable cups.  Labeled mugs can be dropped off at the table just inside the front door of the church.  Please remind your child that snacks must be eaten downstairs or outside, not in the upstairs lobby area of the church. Thank you!"

Keep your eye on the weather; the forecast is for about 10 degrees at practice.  Dress appropriately with warm layers, warm socks, mittens and maybe even those hand warmer packets.  A scarf or mask is also a good idea.  We will meet in a big group at 3:45 for some quick warm-ups and minor re-shuffling of the groups.  Then we'll be off for a brisk, fun ski session.

Great Response

Thanks for the response and filling most of the Ski Club positions!

I'm still looking for a Coach with some ski experience to lead a group of kids who are working on mastering some of the basics before moving on.

We will also need to find an Events Coordinator who can come up with and help implement some ideas for fundraising.  The Club has been using a snowmobile on loan from Chris Jackson.  The snowmobile has groomed many kilometers of ski trails over its life and it will need to be replaced, either with a snowmobile or tracked UTV.

Positions Still Available!

Hi Parents,

I am re-posting this info because some of you missed my talk at the sign-up night.  We still need to fill these positions in order to provide the best experience for the kids, this year and into the future.

Please consider taking on a position within the club.  It could be only for a season, or hopefully longer.  If you have kids in the program, we will refund their registration fee ($35 each, for up to 3 kids).

Ski Coach - NEED 1  You don't need a lot of ski experience.  Enthusiastic, fun coaches are the best.  I provide a curriculum, week by week agenda, and on-snow coaching clinic.  I would like to add a group for older kids new to skiing and those struggling with the basics.

Secretary/Treasurer - I have done this for 2014; position will be available in 2015.  Collect payment and registration forms at sign-up night and mail to CXC.  Create and maintain athlete roster.  Track club budget and reimburse vendors for expenses.  Not a big time commitment.  Should be good with spreadsheets and responsible with a checkbook.

Events Coordinator - (Fundraising) - we should start making money to buy a snowmobile or UTV.  We probably won't do the food sales at the ski jump anymore, so we need to come up with other ways to make some money (grants, ski race, trail run, bike race, auction, raffle, car wash?..)  May also coordinate a trail maintenance day or two in the fall.

Groomer - FILLED!  Drive the snowmobile and pull the track setter.  This should be done every Sunday afternoon during the season (Jan and Feb).  That way the trail can 'set up' and hopefully be free of snow drifts, human foot prints, etc.  Some mechanical experience would be helpful.  Typically takes about 2 hours each time.

Snacks & Clean-up - NEED 1  Find vendors willing to donate snacks.  You would need to get the snacks and have them out for the kids.  I will help with initial contacts to the vendors.  There will also be some clean-up (vacuuming etc) needed after every practice.

To sign up for a position, or get more info; contact Dan Goltz at 485-0876 or dan_goltz@hotmail.com

A big "Thank you" to the coaches and others who have taken a position with the club!
-Dan

Tough conditions

Thank you to all the skiers for making the best of tough conditions on Monday.  The snow was very icey and difficult to ski on.  On top of that, our snowmobile had broken down.  Thanks to Jason Mowery, we were able to borrow an ATV and groom what we could for practice.  Conditions will be better next week.  Also, because of the icey snow, some of the grip tape was scraped off the skis.  Please check your grip tape (on the white and orange or white and blue combi skis).  If it has been worn off, you will need to get the skis into Bluedog for a new application.  You will need to do this on Thursday or Friday because Pete will be out of town Saturday - Monday.  If you can't make it in this week, your coach should have kick wax they can apply at next practice.

First Practice!

It's time to get your skis on!  We will have our first practice on Monday January 13th from 3:45 - 5:00pm.

Some logistics -
Please park in the back of the lot behind Believers Fellowship Church (this will be closest to the ski trail).  It would be great if the kids can arrive dressed and ready to go.  If anyone needs to go inside and change, we will be using the basement for that purpose.

Each week we will all meet as a big group at 3:50 for a group warm-up.  The warm-up area is behind the parking lot out in the driving range.  Follow the ski trail down a slight hill for about 50 yards; look for all the kids with skis on.  After the warm-up we will announce the groups and break out to ski with our instructors. We will be back at the church and head inside for a snack shortly before 5:00.

Parents of Polar Bears (the youngest group, typically 4-6 year-olds) should help them get their skis on and off.  You may want to walk them down to the the warm-up area the first time.  You are welcome to join your child for the entire practice.  Other parents - you may join us for the warm-up each week if you like. Sometimes there will be announcements about upcoming practices, etc (I will try to post that info on the blog, too).

And a few housekeeping notes -
Please be gracious guests at the church; try not to track snow and dirt inside.  Stay out of the sanctuary (the room with the pews) and office rooms.  There will be a snack provided at the end of each practice.

The snow looked pretty good on Friday.  Hopefully this thaw doesn't change things too much.
Thanks for joining our club... we're excited to meet you all on skis.

- The Coaches

Coaching Clinic & Grooming Clinic

Sunday January 12th; Coaching Clinic at 1:00, Grooming Clinic at 2:30

Meet at Believers Fellowship Church, park in back of lot, behind church.

Coaches - I dropped off the coaches manual and games booklets at Bluedog on January 2nd.  Hopefully you have had a chance to look through them.  I will bring any extra copies on Sunday, and also copies of the weekly lesson plans.  I will have the roster divided into groups and we can discuss and make any changes before the first practice.  Bring your classic ski gear and we can go over some of the drills and lessons, and any questions you have.  Veteran coaches don't need to attend; unless you want to discuss the roster.  I would like to have a different coach lead the group warm-up each week.  I'll go first.

Groomers - Bring some ear plugs and I'll bring the gas.  I hope to have some of the grooming done before we meet, but hopefully you can each get a little time on the sled.

Practice Cancelled

Too cold.  We will have our first practice on Monday January 13th.  See you then.

Arctic conditions predicted for Monday

NOAA is predicting a high of -16 on Monday.  I don't think it would be fun (or safe) to have practice in those conditions.  I will make a decision and update the blog on Sunday, but it is not likely that we will have practice on Monday January 6th.

Boone from Viroqua Parks Dept has been grooming the Golf Course, but only for skating so far (no tracks). I hope to get our snowmobile down there this weekend and start grooming the driving range.

I still plan to have the coaching and grooming clinics on Sunday... dress warmly.  Go Pack!