Moving to Band App

This blog is no longer supported by Google, and I can't get the subscribe feature to work.  I have decided to switch to the Band app as our primary communication tool.  Download the free app and search for "Snowflake Nordic Ski Club".  You need to request to join the group.

This year, I will rent out ski gear as usual.  I don't have plans to offer weekly lessons as in the past.  I have decided to focus my time on the new race program.

For the first time, I have formed a MS and HS ski team with Wisconsin Nordic Ski League.  It is a Club-sponsored team and we can have skiers from multiple school districts.  A practice and race schedule as well as fee information, is located on the Band app.  (I can't figure out how to attach it here)

Tuesday - first dryland practice

We will do a trail run with poles and some hill bounding at Sidie Hollow.  Meet at the boat ramp at 3:45.  Bring classic poles, trail shoes and maybe a water bottle.  We will finish up by 4:45.

Too cold Monday

It's going to be 2 degrees with a -14 windchill tomorrow afternoon.  We will have to cancel practice.

I did groom again Sunday evening, and it should be great skiing this week.  I'll update the blog if we plan to get out another day this week.

Crisp tracks!

26 January 2023

Finally, some good snow to work with!  The trails groomed up really nice today, so get out there and enjoy them.  I plan to be there Friday after school for a skate practice; join us if you can.

Looks like we'll get a little more snow and some wind tomorrow, so there will be blowing and drifting.  But. I'm not complaining.  Then more snow on Saturday?  I will be out of town Sunday, but will re-groom as soon as I can.  

Hopefully we can have practice down there on Monday.  It will be soft and cold.  Bundle up and enjoy Winter!

Creek crossing to the "Penalty Loop"

Fresh tracks

Timber Coulee is groomed for skating and classic.  It should set up nicely by Saturday morning.  We are off to race in Rhinelander this weekend.  Let's plan on a classic practice on Monday afternoon; 3:45 at TC.

16 January - Plyos and bounding

Today will be a dryland practice.  Dress appropriately (raincoat?, hat, gloves, trail shoes) and bring classic poles and a mat for crunches etc.  Kids will run from VMS to Dragon Park at 3:20, where we will exercise under the pavilion.  Run back to school by 4:30.

The trails held up pretty well until today.  Now we'll have to wait and hope for snow on Wednesday/Thursday.

Skate practice Monday

The trails seemed to have held up pretty well through last week's mixed bag.  I groomed Sunday night and I think the skiing will be pretty good this week.  Please try to stay off the trails if it is above freezing and your skis leave deep ruts.

Practice Monday afternoon - Skating 3:45 - 5:00.

How to: kick wax

Here is a short video on how to apply kick wax.  You will probably need to apply a few thins coats of kick wax to your skis every time you go out.  Check the temperature and apply the appropriate color wax; Toko Red is good down to about 16 degrees.  Toko blue is great in colder temps.

Kick wax demo

Thanks for watching.

2023 Rental Gear Info

GEAR PICK-UP: In order to streamline the process of picking up your gear, please take a few measurements for me: 

A) Floor to wrist. Your classical skis should come up to somewhere between your wrist and elbow; shorter for younger/beginning skiers. 

B) Floor to "middle of shoulder". Classical poles should be somewhere between your armpit and top of shoulder. 

C) Euro boot size. Google a conversion chart if that helps. I will have several pairs for your child to try on. 

Text this info to me at 608-632-6272 and I will let you know when it is ready to pick up. $50 per set for the season. Cash or check to "Snowflake Junior Nordic Ski Club".

WAXING: I have gone away from grip tape in favor of using traditional hard waxes. It requires a little work on your part, but offers better performance in most conditions. I will send two waxes and a cork home with you. I am applying 4 thin layers of Toko Red to all the skis before they go out. This should be good for the first outing or two, but you will need to apply a little of the appropriate wax (temperatures shown on wax) before subsequent sessions. 

CLASSIC/SKATE GEAR: I am sending out classic gear for starters.  We will switch over to skating later in the season, and I will provide different skis (shorter) and poles (longer).

CONDITIONS: Skis are made for snow. Do not ever ski in parking lots, across roads, sidewalks, etc. Do not ski when there is not enough snow; if you see grass or dirt in your tracks; there is not enough snow and you will damage the skis.

Good skiing at Timber Coulee!

I groomed on the DNR land and Rod & Gun Club on December 22 (skate and classic).  I'm sure it set up nicely, but then it got windy... so probably some snow in the tracks and some small drifts.  Enjoy it this week before it warms up too much.
 

Decent skiing in the Coulee

The trails were groomed on Sunday (skate and classic).  There is some stubble, especially in the tracks.  But its pretty good skiing for December, so get out and enjoy it.

We will be skiing on Monday, Dec 19th, from 3:45 - 5:00.  Join us if you can.  If you need to rent equipment, get your measurements to me.
 

Skating at Timber Coulee

Good Old Skandic

She was waiting to get out for a ride after several snowfalls that were too wet to groom.  Today was the day... we groomed for the first time this year.  There were lots of small trees to cut off the trail (and I didn't get them all), some grass and willow stubble poking through, and a few wet spots.  But I think it will set up nicely with the colder temps, and the overnight snow should cover most of the remaining stubble.  I'd still recommend B skis, but get out there and enjoy it.  The Penalty Loop across the bridge is very short, but in the best condition.  No tracks yet.

The Penalty Loop

 

New Subscription ability

Blogger had disabled the old "Feedburner" subscription feature, so nobody was getting email notifications when I updated the Blog.  Now there is a way for me to manually enter your email address if you want to subscribe and get emails each time there is a new post.  Call or text me if you want this feature.

Snow, but too warm?

The new snow looks great.  It is probably too wet and 'packey' to groom, but I might give it a shot if it drops below freezing overnight.  Stay tuned...

Also, I am planning to start some dryland training practices Mondays and Fridays from 3:30 - 4:30 until we get on snow.  Call or text if you are interested.  Dan 608-632-6272

2023 Season

Greetings Ski Families!  We have had some promising weather already this winter.  The trails at Timber Coulee were actually white last weekend (thanks for the pic, Chris).  I hope the trend continues.  I would like to resume having practices on Monday afternoons.  We will need a few coaches to help, depending on how many kids sign up.

 

Impossible conditions; postpone clinic

Due to the nasty weather (and low snow base), I couldn't get anything groomed up for Saturday.

Hopefully we'll get a dump next week and can get back out skiing next weekend.

Saturday Ski at Timber Coulee

Join us Saturday down at Timber Coulee from 1-4pm.  You can park at the Rod and Gun Club on CTH P.  Don't park on the snowmobile trail, which runs through the parking lot adjacent to the stream.

We are getting a little thin on snow, but I will do some grooming this evening... and it should be OK.

Timber Coulee Trails

The trails at Timber Coulee are looking much better after some snow and grooming, although there is still some weedy stubble and ant hills to navigate around.  I have not groomed all the way down to the Rod & Gun Club yet, so you would have to ski up the side of the snowmobile trail to get up to the ski trails, or park near the DNR shed.

We might have the clinic down at Timber Coulee on Saturday; check the blog on Friday... depends on conditions.

Blogger news; BlogSpot discontinued using Feedburner "follow by email services" in July.  If you have subscribed in the past, you should still be getting updates.  There is no replacement service offered yet, so new users will just have to check the blog periodically.  Sorry for the hassle.  If anyone knows of a work-around, let me know!

Local trail report

Viroqua Hills Golf Course looked good on Friday - 2 passes (skate only)

Prairie Wind - groomed Saturday (skate and classic)

Maple Dale - groomed Saturday (classis only, will get foot traffic soon)

Now I will move the snowmobile to Timber Coulee and start grooming down there.  

Sorry, I won't be able to groom at Prairie Wind or Maple Dale for a while.

See you Sunday at Prairie Wind.  If anyone has a soccer ball, bring it along!

Sunday Ski at Prairie Wind

Join us for another ski session at Prairie Wind on Sunday, 1 - 4pm.  Same deal as last time; don't park in or block their driveway (see map in earlier post).

I groomed at Prairie Wind on Wednesday afternoon, but it was pretty windy and some sections got drifted over right away.  I'll probably touch it up before Sunday.