Cross-country ski season sees early start

An early, heavy snowfall, preceded by some bitter temperatures, may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s just what Jim Krag and the Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club had been looking for.
“It’s been good. We’re off to an early start this year,” said Krag, who is president of the club. “Last year [at this time] we were dodging rocks.”
Krag noted he was out skiing on the club’s trails located off Rocky Inlet Road on Sunday.
“I thought it was just excellent skiing. You know, everyone I talked to said it was great.”
Because cold temperatures froze the ground, the early snowfall has stayed—making for good times for the club.
The 11-km trail network already has been groomed four or five times, Krag said, adding the club’s chalet that opened last year has been in regular use so far.
It’s only a week ahead of when the club usually would open, but it’s a big change from last year’s late start.
“I’m not sure when we started skiing last year, but it was close to Christmas or the New Year,” said Krag. “We should be good for the season here, now.”
Which is good news since the club’s events start in a few weeks.
For instance, the club will hold a Family Ski Day on Sunday, Dec. 30, complete with extra equipment for anybody looking to try out cross-country skiing.
“It’s an open day for anyone and everyone to come out and enjoy the trails,” said Krag. “We’ll make up some food, likely have hot wiener rolls for the kids, hot chocolate.”
That event will be followed by a night ski on Saturday, Jan. 12—complete with a live band and food, as well as luminaries to light the trail.
One of the big changes for the club this year is the debut of its website at www.rlnordic.org, which went up just before the first big snowfall.
“It’s under development,” Krag said, but added the website will have trail conditions updated “a couple times a week,” along with postings of news and other developments with the club.
And for those who aren’t sure about Nordic skiing, Krag suggests they take advantage of the club’s quality trails.
“Based on my experience skiing around the area here, we’ve got some of the best-groomed trails in the area,” he stressed.
After all, all this snow has to be good for something.