Marlboro Nordic Ski Club Receives Grant Funding from Killington World Cup Foundation
The Marlboro Nordic Ski Club is honored to announce that we are recipients of a grant from the Killington World Cup Foundation (KWCF) in their 2024 grant cycle. Grant funding from KWCF will support our efforts to improve our 2.5 kilometer racing trail, with improvements entailing the installation of ten new culverts, improving drainage, and re-routing the trail to make it safer and more fair for competitors (and friendlier to all users!)
Last winter we saw an increased need for our trail network and facilities by local high school teams as snow was so scarce. Because of the work we have done over the years on our trails, we were able to provide a training and racing venue to support these young athletes. It became apparent, however, that more improvements could be made and making a further investment in our racing trails will pay great dividends in low-snow years to support skiing in our community.
KWCF was created to support the Women's World Cup at Killington and to benefit local and regional youth development programs. The foundation will consider and award grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations to facilitate training infrastructure in the Northeast and SARA region (ME/NH/VT/CT/NY/MA/RI/NJ/PA/NC/VA/WV), and to increase participation in competitive winter sports programs throughout the Northeast. Fundraising is a year-round effort. For more information, visit [kwcfgivesback.org](http://kwcfgivesback.org/).
Trail Race Series #1 Results
Thank you to the runner who came out for our first trail running race!
Spencer K 18:53
Brian S 19:56
Ethan B 20:18
Diana W 23:42
Alicia C. 24:10
Ben K. 24:52
Annelis K. 27:14
Nels K 27:15
Fred R 28:36
Bradley P 28:36
Dave K. 37:15
Announcing Our Fall Trail Race Series, Trail Maintenance Day, and Membership Renewal!
Trail Race Series:
Skiers, Runners, Lovers of Forests and Trails,
We here at the club are very excited to introduce a FALL TRAIL RUNNING SERIES. Every other Thursday in October and early November we'll be gathering to race on the trails of Potash Hill. Competitive runners, race-curious joggers, casual amblers, ambitious children, and baby-toting parents all welcome!
There will be three races on the dates of October 6, October 20, and November 3. Each week we will flag a course of 2-3 miles, which will start and finish from the Potash Hill (former Marlboro College) soccer field. There will be cookies and cider to follow.
Gun goes off at 5:30 sharp each week (we'll be racing the sunset more than each other!). Please arrive a little early to sign in and warm up, if you're the kind of person who likes to warm up. If you're a committed ambler, you may want to bring a headlamp, especially as the days grow short.
We hope these races will be a great way to meet other folks in the club, enjoy the wonderful trails, and start to get excited for the winter season, when we'll be hosting regular THURSDAY NIGHT SKI RACES. Stay tuned for more details on that front.
These races are free and all are welcome!
For questions, please contact Brian Staveley: brian.staveley@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!
Fall Trail Maintenance Day:
Join us on Sunday, October 30 2022 for our annual trail maintenance day! This event meets at our trailhead on the soccer field at 11:00a.m. After a brief introduction from the club’s Executive Director, we will split into groups and tackle various projects on our trail network to get ready for the winter season! After a couple hours of work, we will return to the trail head to enjoy snacks, beverages, and conversation.
Keep an eye on your email as we approach the event to hear what kind of tools would be helpful to bring!
Hope you can be there!
Membership:
You have likely noticed that the cost of everything in life is rising, however, we are not raising our membership prices. Our aim is to make skiing affordable for all who wish to participate. Our individual membership is $50 and our family membership is $100. Membership includes access to a meticulously groomed trail network, base lodge, parking, and our youth ski program.
These prices do not cover our operating costs. We rely on the generosity of donors and grant support to do what we do: groom our large trail network daily, provide programming, pay for insurance coverage, maintain grooming equipment, and pay our executive director a modest salary. The field of grants available for non-profit's like us that specialize in skiing, however, is quite small, so we spend a lot of time and energy finding funding wherever we can.
On our membership storefront you will notice, in addition to the Individual and Family membership options, we also have tiered membership levels at $250, $500, and $1,000. Becoming a member at one of these tiers comes with the same perks as a family membership but makes a dramatic impact on our organization. If you see the value in what we do and have the means to help us grow and be a robust organization, please consider purchasing a membership at one of our higher tiers!
CLICK HERE TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR THE 22/23 SEASON
Membership Sign-Up and Youth Ski Program Reminder!
Membership Sign-Up and Youth Ski Program Reminder!
If you have not yet done so, remember to renew your membership with the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club for the 2021-2022 season! We are seeing snow in the forecast and we hope to open up some of the trails next week.
To purchase a membership, click here!
Youth Ski Program Reminder:
Next Tuesday, December 7th will be our first practice at 3:30 p.m. We hope that we will have enough snow to have practice on skis.
You can find more information about our youth ski program here!
To sign-up for our youth ski program, please fill out this Google form!
Giving Tuesday:
The work of the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club is only possible through the support of our members and generous donors. Becoming a member of the MNSC provides access to the campus trails for skiing, plus the opportunity to participate in organized programs and events.
We hope that today you might consider either making a donation to the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club, purchasing a membership, or purchase a membership for someone you care about if you are able. With more members and financial support we are able to do more to serve our community, improve our programming, and provide an awesome experience for trail users. All donations are tax deductible.
Donate to the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club Here!
2021-2022 Youth Program/Bill Koch Youth Ski League Information and Sign-Up!
Winter is upon us and we are excited to announce sign-up for our youth ski program!
Youth Ski Program Information:
The Marlboro Nordic Ski Club's youth ski program is called the Bill Koch Youth Ski League and we are a member of the New England Bill Koch Youth Ski League program. The New England Bill Koch Youth Ski League is the largest cross country ski program for young people in the United States and our program available for young skiers through eighth grade and below. The Bill Koch Youth Ski League believes that children should have the opportunity to have fun while learning to cross-country ski while creating a safe and healthy environment where children can develop physically, psychologically, and socially. All Bill Koch Youth Ski League activities and competitions are designed to teach each young athlete to participate to the best of his or her respective abilities and learn a lifelong passion for the sport of cross country skiing. While racing is an element that is available to skiers in our program, it is certainly not required or forced. Our practices are centered around having fun, learning skills to improve our skiing, and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.
Days We Run Our Program:
This winter we will run our program after school on Tuesday's from 3:30pm-5:00pm and Saturday mornings from 10:30am-12:00pm. If there is interest and volunteer support, we would also like to offer an additional session on Thursdays from 3:30pm-5:00pm as well.
Program Fee:
To participate in our youth ski program there is no additional program fee. However, children and their parents must be members of the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club to participate.
Loaner Equipment for Practice:
The Marlboro Nordic Ski Club has a fleet of about 20 pairs of children's skis, boots, and poles in a variety of sizes. We loan this equipment out on our practice days and occasionally over school breaks. We were hoping to acquire more skis this year and begin a season-long lease program but due to inventory shortages in North America we were unable to purchase more skis. If your children will be needing to borrow equipment for our practices, please indicate so in our sign-up form along with their height, weight, and shoe size.
We are unable to provide adults with equipment but recommend visiting the West Hill Shop in Putney or Burrows Specialized Sports in Brattleboro to see what they have for new and used equipment.
Parent Volunteer Coaches:
This year we are looking for parents to volunteer as age-group coaches for our season. At practice we divide up into groups based on their grade level. The groups are:
Kindergarten/Pre-K
Grades 1-2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Our hope is that by having volunteer coaches commit to an age group we will be better able to provide improved programming and instruction as well as allow our program director, Spencer Knickerbocker, to work with skiers that want to advance their technical skills and try some racing this winter. Volunteer coaches can team up with another parent/coach to spread out coaching duties over the practices but still have consistency week-to-week. Spencer will work with the volunteer coaches on coordinating practices as well as teaching them skills that they can pass on to their age group. If you are interested, please email Spencer at marlboronordicskiclub@gmail.com!
Important Participation Information:
Our youth ski program is not a substitute for childcare: we expect parents/guardians to be present on skis or snow shoes or have another parent/guardian be responsible for their children while at practice. This allows us to stay organized, safe, and have fun on skis as a family. Thank you for understanding!
Attendance at every practice is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. At young ages, skiers often make quick steps in development and its fun for the entire group to do that so they can enjoy skiing together and not feel left behind.
Start Date:
Our youth program will start the first week of December on Tuesday the 7th. If we have snow we will be on skis and if not we will do some hiking/ski exercises, games, and snow dances to appease the snow gods.
Join the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club for Trail Maintenance Day on Sunday November 7, 2021!
Trail Day Details:
The Marlboro Nordic Ski Club is inviting club members, friends, family, and the entire community to our trail maintenance day on Sunday November 7, 2021, 12 p.m until about 3 p.m. We will be meeting at our trailhead on the soccer field. Parking will be in the lot we use in the winter and signage will be posted to direct attendees. Our address is 2582 South Road, Marlboro, Vermont on the former Marlboro College campus, now Potash Hill, Inc.
At 12:15 we will break into small groups and do a couple hours of trail work followed by snacks and refreshments provided by us. Trail projects will vary from heavy lifting to picking up small sticks, so all are welcome to participate.
This will be a great opportunity to spend some time on the trail network with other skiers so we can get excited about the winter ahead. Membership in the MNSC is not required to participate in trail day, so even if you only use the trails in non-winter months please join us for a fun day outside!
Helpful tools to bring to trail day:
- Chainsaw (if you bring a saw, you MUST wear chaps as well as ear, eye, and head protection.)
- Loppers
- Gloves
- Rock Bar
- Weed whackers
Rain Date: Sunday November 14 12pm
Should we have inclement weather on the 7th, we will postpone until the following sunday.
Project Leaders:
We need some leaders to oversee the projects we will work on. If you are familiar with the campus trails and want to help us by leading a project, please reach out!
If you can attend, please click here and RSVP by Friday, November 5, 2021!
Membership: Now is a great time to renew and purchase your membership for the upcoming winter!
Membership for the 2021-2022 winter season is now open! We have a new page on our website where you can purchase individual and family memberships as well as some cool swag. This year we are introducing tiered-memberships, with the option to contribute a larger amount if you are able. Last year, operating expenses for the MNSC were $20,000, including money that went to paying for insurance, maintenance of the grooming equipment, excavation and trail work, website upkeep and design, and a small salary for the program director who grooms the trails and runs the Bill Koch League. Our standard individual and family membership rates do not cover the costs of running our organization, so we are relying on the generosity of our friends and neighbors to help keep the club running and affordable to all.
Announcing the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club 2021-2022 Season!
Dear Marlboro Nordic Ski Club Members and Community,
We are thrilled that this winter will mark the second year of the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club. As you know, the bulk of our trails as well as our ski facility exist on the former Marlboro College campus in Marlboro, Vermont. This past summer, ownership of the campus changed hands to the Marlboro School of Music; a long-term tenant of the campus, they have been hosting world-renowned classical musicians on campus every summer since 1951. The Marlboro School of Music has created a new subsidiary non-profit that is the official owner of campus, Potash Hill Inc., and we have formed a partnership with them to continue our trail grooming operations and programs. We owe a huge thank you to the Marlboro School of Music and Potash Hill Inc. for their incredible generosity. Another huge debt of gratitude is owed to all of the many Marlboro residents whose land comprises the bulk of the South Pond Loop, and who so generously allow us to groom and recreate on their property. The trail network would be smaller and sadder without their openness, generosity, and neighborly spirit.
Last season, in our inaugural year, we had over 300 members join the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club. Our youth ski program, the Bill Koch Youth Ski League, had amazing participation with over 30 children getting on skis two days a week for lessons and adventures on our trail network. We were able to complete a brand-new 2.5 kilometer trail, a project that had been in the works for years, that will allow us to host more races and challenge skiers. Finally, we were able to groom and keep the campus trails and town trails open on a daily basis all season so trail users had consistent and reliable conditions. It was a huge success and we are carrying our excitement into the new season. Cross your fingers for a great, snowy winter!
What will be the same this year:
We will continue to groom and maintain the trails on a daily basis.
We will continue our Bill Koch Youth Ski League program, with hopes to increase participation and refine our program model so we can better serve participants. Sign-up for this program will be announced in the coming months!
We will continue to refine our trail network so we can offer good ski conditions even when snow is marginal and mother nature does not cooperate.
We will keep our membership fees the same cost so the access to our programs and trails are affordable. (See membership info below.)
What will be new this year:
Indoor warming space: Thanks to the generosity of Potash Hill Inc., members will have access to a heated indoor space with restroom facilities located right near the start of the trail network in the lobby of Persons Auditorium.
Adult Programming: We hope to offer more adult lessons and programs so skiers of all ages can learn new skills and improve their confidence.
Social Events: We plan to host more social events like moon-light skis, group skis, ski-orienteering, informal races, and more.
Trail Signs and Maps: We are working with several volunteers to develop a new, easier-to-follow map of the campus trail network and groomed trails throughout the Town of Marlboro as well as trail signs that will better orient skiers unfamiliar with the trail network.
Trail Improvements: We have already been busy refining the campus trails. Our new board member, Bob Anderson, has been using his excavator to improve drainage so we can better withstand unfavorable winter conditions and rely on less snow to provide good skiing. We are also working on improving beginner-friendly access to Town Trail and South Pond Loop.
Races: This winter, we plan on reviving the infamous Wendell-Judd Memorial Cup, a 10 kilometer race around the Town of Marlboro that will start and finish on our campus trails. We are also toying with the idea of having a Wednesday night race series that will be aimed at having fun and improving your best times on some of our core trails. Stay tuned!
Day-use Trail Fees: This year we plan to offer day-use trail fees for trail users who do not frequent us enough to warrant purchasing a season-long membership. Day rates will be $10 and can be purchased on the membership page on our website or left in a cash box at the trail entrance.
Member and Community Trail Maintenance Day:
We will be hosting a member and community trail maintenance day on Sunday November 7th at 12pm. We will meet at the trail start at the soccer field and do a couple hours of trail work. Afterwards, we will provide snacks and carve out some time to answer any questions. Stay tuned for an announcement and sign-up!
Off-Season Trail Use
We are working with the Marlboro School of Music and Potash Hill Inc. to solidify off-season trail usage next year but until snow falls this winter, the campus trail network is open for public use for no fee. If you wish to hike, walk, run, or bike on the trails, feel free to do so. Park in the same lot we use in the winter and please avoid sections we have closed for maintenance or that are especially wet. Bike tires can easily damage the hard work we are doing to ensure long-term sustainability of trail surfaces. Please remember that once it snows, trail usage requires membership or paying a daily fee.
Membership:
Membership for the 2021-2022 winter season is now open! We have a new page on our website where you can purchase individual and family memberships as well as some cool swag. This year we are introducing tiered-memberships, with the option to contribute a larger amount if you are able. Last year, operating expenses for the MNSC were $20,000, including money that went to paying for insurance, maintenance of the grooming equipment, excavation and trail work, website upkeep and design, and a small salary for the program director who grooms the trails and runs the Bill Koch League. Our standard individual and family membership rates do not cover the costs of running our organization, so we are relying on the generosity of our friends and neighbors to help keep the club running and affordable to all.
To purchase your membership, visit: www.marlboronordicskiclub.org
Thank you for reading, for skiing, and for taking part in this very special organization!
See you on the trails!
The Board of the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club
Peter Johnson
Mimi Brill
Justin Chandler
Randy Knaggs
Diana Whitney
Brian Staveley
Bob Anderson
Lee Todd
Spencer Knickerbocker, Executive Director