On February 9th, SkiTheBeav once again partnered with Concord Parks and Recreation, JacksonXC, S&W Sports, Delta Dental and NENSA to host the annual Learn-to-Ski day and 5k Community Ski Race at the Beaver Meadow Municipal Golf Course. Snow fell the night before the event, which guaranteed near-perfect midwinter conditions, and ideal snow for the skiers who were trying the sport for the first time. Nearly 30 racers and dozens of BKL skiers participated in the morning races, and nearly 80 new skiers clipped into bindings for the first time.
Originally scheduled for February 2nd, we once again had to postpone due to insufficient snow cover. Fortunately, winter finally arrived in the interceding week, allowing us to move forward with the event on our “rain date”. The event kicked off with a spirited community race in the morning, drawing skiers of all ages and abilities to the trails for a fun and friendly competition. Participants, including local ski enthusiasts and newcomers, tackled a well-groomed (but perhaps not particularly well-marked!) course in a race designed to celebrate the joy of Nordic skiing rather than intense competition. The results can be found here. Alongside the community race, Bill Koch League (BKL) events provided young skiers with an exciting opportunity to build their skills and confidence on snow through a playful challenge. The energy on the trails was infectious, with families and friends cheering on participants as they crossed the finish line, setting the stage for a day filled with learning and adventure.
Morning and afternoon ski clinics were offered for individuals six years and older who had never been on cross-country skis before. Our goal remained the same: to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where participants could try out a new sport and enjoy gliding on snow. JacksonXC provided ski equipment, and Concord-area coaches and instructors led the clinics, teaching classic cross-country skiing fundamentals, including skiing on flat terrain, getting up from a fall, climbing, and navigating downhills.
Thanks to the Parks & Recreation department’s ongoing efforts, the trails were beautifully groomed for the day, and S&W sports brought in vendors showcasing the latest in skis, boots, poles and binding technology. The onsite restaurant, the Broken Tee offered hot food and drink for those who were interested in filling up after their morning of activity. A large number of volunteers from throughout the capital region were essential to the event’s success.
The energy and excitement for cross-country skiing in Concord continues to grow, and it was truly inspiring to see nearly eighty participants take to the trails for the first time.
SkiTheBeav, a nonprofit dedicated to improving publicly available skiing at Beaver Meadow Municipal Golf Course, organized the event. In addition to their ongoing efforts to enhance trail access and grooming, SkiTheBeav is actively working with the city to invest in snowmaking. This investment would make events like this easier to accomplish in the future and would ensure more reliable access to low-cost outdoor recreation all winter long in the capital area.
We are deeply grateful to the coaches and instructors who volunteered their time and expertise to make this event a success. A huge thank you to JacksonXC and SkiTheBeav for providing equipment and to Concord Parks & Recreation for maintaining the trails for the event. We also extend our appreciation to our sponsors—S&W Sports, Delta Dental and the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation—as well as special thanks to the representatives from Salomon, Rossignol, and Fischer who joined us on-site to support the event.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated! We can’t wait to see you out on the trails again soon!
Thanks to Susan Woods and Sam Evans-Brown for the recap and photos!
