To Nordic skiers of every ability, as well as everyone who wants to try out skiing:

The Juneau Nordic Ski Club will be offering free lessons, from rank beginner on up to old salt or hotshot, to anyone who wants to show up this coming Saturday afternoon, February 21, at the Mendenhall Campground.  The clinic will begin at 1:30 and run until 3:30.  Instruction for both classic striding and skating techniques will be available.

The joys of good technique.  JNSC exists to promote Nordic skiing in our community, and we can’t think of a better way to complement the terrific groomed trails that our volunteers prepare so dependably, than helping skiers improve.  No matter whether you’re a relaxed shuffler or a competitive speed-freak, good ski technique will allow you to have a lot more fun out on the snow.  As with any sport, the more you learn, the more you are able to appreciate the rich world of variety and nuances that opens up to you.  You can learn to take great pleasure in the kinds of challenging terrain and snow conditions that might normally spoil your day.  Ironically, while you can go a lot farther or faster with less effort, you can also get a much more vigorous and well-rounded workout with proper Nordic technique when you choose to crank up the exercise level.  All in all, it’s well worth coming out to our classes to see what you’ve been missing.

The classes.  Several of JNSC’s most experienced members will be volunteering their time and skills to help out with the instruction.  We won’t be importing a big-name coach this year, but that also means that we don’t have to charge for the classes to cover expenses.  No sign-up is required — just come on out to the campground by 1:30 and we’ll put you together with an instructor and other skiers with compatible skills and interest.  We work on the fundamentals, but you can let us know if there are specific issues you want to address, questions you’d like answered, or points of technique you’d like covered, and we’ll do our best to help out.  This will be casual, with an emphasis on how to have as much fun as possible on skis.  Kids are welcome too, but if under 12 should be accompanied by a parent or adult.

Meet at the campground.  The campground trails are in great shape and ski conditions are very good right now.  The forecast is looking fine for Saturday, with mild temperatures expected.  But we’ll be there rain or shine, so don’t let the weather get in the way.  For any of you who aren’t familiar with the Mendenhall Campground ski trails, take the Montana Creek Road turnoff from the Back Loop Road, and then bear right at the fork in the road following the sign towards Skaters’ Cabin.  The start of the trail is at the gate on the right, past the last subdivision and just before Skaters’ Cabin.  You can park along the road on the right-hand (south) side or in the Skaters’ Cabin lot.  Be sure to leave the left side of the gate unobstructed to allow the USFS access to the road if necessary.  Ski (or walk) on in a couple hundred yards to the first intersection, where we will be gathering at the start of the clinic.  If you come late, ski around the loop until you pick up a group that looks suitable.

This is open to anyone.  We love to stoke everyone’s passion for our sport.  But we also hope you’ll want to support us by becoming a member of JNSC.    With our new lower dues this year, we need to expand our membership base.  Anyone who uses groomed trails or any of our other services should consider joining.  This clinic is a handy opportunity to sign up for JNSC membership, if you haven’t already done so this season.  We won’t be charging a fee, soliciting memberships or advertising at this event, all of which are contrary to USFS policy on their lands.  However, any of the instructors will be more than happy to accept a check made out to JNSC from you for your membership.  If you have a computer and printer, please print and fill out the membership form on our website at jnski.org (click on “Join Us!” in the middle column).  If you can’t print it out, a piece of paper with the name of each member, an email address for club communications, and a phone number and/or mailing address for backup would be sufficient.  Membership is a mere $25 per person, or $10 for age 17 and under.  It’s only through the dues and contributions of our members that we can offer these activities and trails for Juneau.

I hope to see you there!
Bart Watson