Nordic Assn. Going Strong

Editor:

The Telluride Nordic Association’s all-volunteer board has been diligently working to improve and enhance the Nordic ski experience for locals and visitors in the community. We have slowly and steadily made progress. In addition to the hands-on board, there are many to thank for their time and financial support. We have recently been awarded two major and critical grants. The Telluride Foundation has awarded us a community support grant of $10,000 to help underwrite our grooming expenses and support the programs offered by the Nordic Center. The Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association has awarded us an Economic Development Grant of $7,000 to help defray the cost of hosting events in the Mountain Village and the region. And TNA is earmarked for a Commission for Community Assistance, Arts and Special Events (CCAASE) community support grant of $6,000. We hope that the public will encourage Town Council to approve the allocation to Nordic at the Town Council meeting on January 27. The anticipated financial support from the Town evaporated with the economy’s downturn this fall. The Town, however, is still helping TNA with vital maintenance of the Piston Bulley groomer, for which we are very grateful.

We are indebted to Midnite Scholtes and his staff at the Telluride Nordic Center who are responsible for running the shop: keeping skis waxed, skates sharpened and clinics and lessons available. Peter Rowland, the head groomer, along with Ivar Eidsmo and Lary Simpson have transformed another record snowfall into world-class skiing on the valley floor. Tony Forrest and his crew in the Mountain Village groom the golf course trails flawlessly. Thank you also to Cindy Farny and the volunteers who made the moonlight ski evening a success.

Thank you Telluride Foundation! Thank you TMVOA!

Thank you to everyone who has put in time and donated money to our cause! As always, donations to TNA are welcome. Pick up an envelope at the Telluride Nordic Center in Town Park or call them at 728-1144 for information.

A final reminder: the Valley Floor (and the Town Park) Nordic Trails are the only dog-free, walker-free groomed ski trails in the area. Please respect the groomed trails. Strap on some skis and leave your dogs at home.

Keep on track!

– Lois Major. TNA Board Member

Hooray for Cindy Farny!

Editor:

Elisabeth, Sheri, Sally and I had the best time last night skiing the Valley Floor by the magical full moon and enjoying the hospitality and generosity of Cindy and her lovely helpers by providing the best soup, bread and cheese at one station and then her brownies and cookies at another station way out on the valley floor ( since we decided to ski the last loop too, we missed out on the hot Apple Cider). It not only was great fun and exercise, but a community get together that warmed our hearts , limbs and bellies in spite of the cold temperatures. I hope that lots of people donated to the Nordic Association to help keep the course open and groomed.

Thank you Cindy for putting this event on last year and this year again. Mother Nature seems to love that, too, ’cause both times we were rewarded with such a beautiful clear night.

I can’t wait to do it again next year.

– Ulli Sir Jesse