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