To:  Nordic Club members

From:  Ken Leghorn,  Eaglecrest Snowsports School Nordic Supervisor

     Ken_Leghorn@ci.juneau.ak.us  day message phone:  523-5450

December 3, 2008

Greetings!   I will be working 2 days a week at Eaglecrest this winter for the Snowsports School, helping with all activities related to Nordic skiing, including lessons, clinics, events, and coordinating things like trail work, signage, and future planning.   This is a great step forward for Nordic skiing at EC and shows real commitment by Eaglecrest to grow the program.  

 My overall objective for this season is increasing the number of cross country skiers using the Eaglecrest trails and participating in lessons and clinics.  Let’s demonstrate that “If We Groom It, They Will Come!”   Club members can greatly assist in helping us to get out the word to your family members and friends about cross country skiing opportunities at Eaglecrest this year.   Stay tuned for details!

I will periodically post Eaglecrest Nordic information to the Club website.  Doug Sanvik (586-1421) is the

Club’s liaison with Eaglecrest; however, also feel free to contact me directly:  Ken_Leghorn@ci.juneau.ak.us  or by phone at 523-5450 (office/message; my other job at the Juneau Community Foundation).

Below are a few recent information items.

Lower Loop:  Many thanks to Club volunteers who helped brush and cut trees on the Lower Loop.  It is in the best shape ever, including the extensive culvert and gravel work that was done over the summer through a State grant obtained by Kirk Duncan, Ski Area Manager.

Grooming:  Eaglecrest will groom the Lower Loop 5 days a week , Thursday through Monday, as soon as the area opens!  This will usually be done by 9 am, and will be posted daily on the Snow Conditions Hotline phone at 586-5330 or online at www.skijuneau.com.   Or check the Nordic Club website which will be ready to go for the season soon, www.jnski.org           

Eaglecrest will groom the Upper Loop only if the Lower does not have sufficient snow, or “on demand” if there is a race event to train for or if there is a designated weekend that we’ll promote skiers going up to it.  For now we all want to concentrate grooming resources on the Lower Loop.   If you have grooming suggestions or feedback during the season, please pass it on to me or Doug.

Jack Kreinheader also has permission from EC to groom either the Lower or Upper Loop on behalf of the Club if there is inadequate snow for the Eaglecrest groomers.  He was able to put in a short classic and very short skate track on the Upper Loop on Dec. 1  Many thanks to Jack for this heroic pre-season effort!

Parking:  We will mark the newly-improved mid-lot access to the Lower Loop, and are also working with DoT to try to expand the 2-car lot at the Meadow Access point. 

Race Events:  In addition to a full schedule of classic and skate lessons and clinics, I am putting together a few race events and clinics centered around people interested in training for the Tour of Anchorage on March 8 and the Buckwheat Ski Classic on March 28.  I’m hoping we can inspire a larger block of up and coming Juneau skiers to increase their skills and conditioning and have fun going to these two great events.  A full schedule of clinics and events will be available soon.

Trail Use policies:  I will be developing some signs as well as using the new Eaglecrest Nordic Trail Map and Information Brochure to communicate some trail use policies which should help all of us as use increases.  Some specifics:

-       One-way signs will indicate the preferred direction of travel; skiers going against traffic must exercise caution.

-       Snowshoes are allowed on the side of the skate late opposite the classic track, and should yield to skiers.  Please avoid the groomed track entirely if the track is soft and snowshoes make a deep impression.  The fee for snowshoers at Eaglecrest is the same as for skiers if using the track (see below; no fee if off groomed trails).

-       No dog policy on groomed trails will remain in effect 7 days a week and after hours.  Please!!

-       With an Eaglecrest season Nordic pass costing only $39 (and included in an Alpine season pass), and with day tickets at $10, we will be checking for nordic passes this year and sending people to the Lodge to buy a ticket if they don’t have one.  Children in fifth grade and under continue to Nordic ski for freeJ    [Hopefully Club members have gotten the word that they still need to support the Club’s voluntary grooming expenses at the Campground with their Club membership.]

Photos Needed!   Please email photos of classic or skate skiing on the Lower and Upper Loop that we can add to the Eaglecrest website:   Ken_Leghorn@ci.juneau.ak.us 

That’s all the news for now.    See you very soon, I hope, on the trails.

Ken