Grooming About Town

Under the heading "Better Late Than Never", the Nordic Club managed to get some classic style tracks groomed at the Lake Chelan Golf Course Monday night. We could have been out there several weeks ago, but City officials had safety concerns due to some on-going construction taking place around the Golf Course. We were able to work these out and our thanks go the City Parks staff and especially to the new City of Chelan Parks & Rec. Director Charles Sablan for this efforts. In addition we have been able to groom some trails behind Manson High School and at Singleton Park in Manson.

This has been one of the best years in recent memory for snow in the Lake Chelan Valley. The snowpack can be fleeting here, and grooming conditions can be difficult in borderline freezing weather. Nevertheless, from mid-December through the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend "Winterfest" Celebration, there is good snow in the valley more often than not.

Even though we may be spoiled by our typically warm, sunny climate, we should embrace the fleeting visit Old Man Winter pays our valley each Winter. Of course, we have Echo Ridge, but the wondeful thing about Nordic skiing is that it is something almost anyone can do on the spur of the moment, almost anywhere, there is snow on the ground. Groomed tracks make the Nordic skiing experience much more dynamic and fun. And the beauty of it is, with a little forethought and planning, it can be done cheaply, on the spur of the moment when conditions permit.

If you would enjoy having more trails groomed around the Valley in the future, the Lake Chelan Nordic Club needs to hear from you. There is a lot we could do with a little cash, a few volunteers and the support of local government. Post your comments or drop us an e-mail, and don't forget to let your City, County and School District officials know that you support Winter Recreation around Chelan.