Host of events on tap to get cross-country skiers geared up for season
The promise of snow flurries in the mountains is stirring a flurry of activity among Spokane-area nordic skiers starting this week.
Slide shows, waxing clinics, ski swaps and even a family dance are scheduled to get people on track for a cross-country ski season that simply has to be better than last year, when the dearth of snow left grooming impossible on the Mount Spokane ski trail system. The annual Langlauf cross-country ski race was canceled in early February and never rescheduled.
“That was the worst snow season any of us remember, and I figured people wouldn’t buy new equipment until they actually saw snow on the ground,” said Robin DeRuwe of Fitness Fanatics in Spokane Valley.
“But they’re positive and upbeat because they know there’s no way it could be as bad as last year. The worst is behind us.”
The Selkirk Nordic Ski Education Foundation is sponsoring several events primarily to rev up interest and raise funds for youth skiing programs. The foundation has a wildy popular weekend ski program for kids ages 5-12, plus a junior racing program. This year, the club plans to organize a non-competitive teen skiing program.
The events include:
Friday: “Finland Border to Border,” a slide program on cross-country skiing across a nation with a great nordic skiing tradition, by Spokesman-Review Outdoors editor Rich Landers. The free program starts at 7 p.m. at Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division, with a presentation by Romany Redman, a Lewis and Clark High School junior who spent a full year in Finland sampling outdoor pursuits ranging from moose hunting to canoeing, hiking, winter swimming and skiing in cross-country races with the offspring of Olympic gold medalists.
The event includes a wine-tasting fund-raiser for the SNSEF junior racing team with several feature varieties from Townshend family winery on Green Bluff.
Friday-Sunday: Annual Cross-Country Ski Swap at Fitness Fanatics, 12425 E. Trent. Bring nordic skis to sell on Friday by 5 p.m. The sale runs Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Anyone can bring their skis to the event and, for a small donation, the SNSEF junior racers will apply glide wax and buff them to a fast finish. Info: 922-6080.
Sunday: Nordic Kids family dance and potluck dessert, featuring live music and Penn Fix calling and instructing the dances, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at East Valley Grange, 1621 N. Park Road. Cost: Adults $5, kids $3. For details about the Nordic Kids program, call Tom Schaff 467-7306.
Nov. 9: Trade-In Night at Mountain Gear, one of the best programs around for keeping young cross-country skiers in gear that fits their growing bodies or for adults who are working up in ability. Anyone who has purchased a new ski package at Mountain Gear can bring it in and trade for new sizes of used equipment at a small fee.
“You can trade in your gear anytime, but the cost if half price on this particular night,” said John Schwartz, store manager. Costs for trading up kids skis will be $2.50, boots $2.50 and skis $5.
Nov. 9: Hands-on cross-country ski base prep and waxing clinic (bring your own skis) with Robin DeRuwe at Fitness Fanatics. Cost: $10. A similar class for women-only is set for Nov. 16. Sign up, 922-6080.
Nov. 10: Ski Tune-Up clinic, hands-on, for any type of ski or snowboard, at Mountain Gear but organized by Spokane Parks and Recreation. Cost: $14. Pre-register by Nov. 7. Call 625-6200.
Nov. 17: Free cross-country ski waxing clinic by Toko Ski Wax rep, 6 p.m. at Fitness Fanatics.
Dec. 1: Cross-Country skiing lessons begin at Mount Spokane through Spokane Parks and Recreation. Cost; $20 or $27 with rental equipment. Other sessions will be offered throughout the winter. Pre-register, 625-6200.
Dec. 4: The first of the weekly cross-country ski trips to various nordic trail systems in the region starts with transportation provided, sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation, 625-6200.