Informal Ski Club Time Trial on Sunday, Jan 3 at 9:30AM

SWNSC will put on an interval start race (ie: a time trial, with individual starts) on this coming Sunday, free and open to one and all, (ie: no entry fees) and only booby prizes! Here are the details from Clay's press release:

"If you're around and not too hungover from New Year's festivities (or if you are and need a different kind of "Hair of the Dog" treatment...), consider coming up to the cross country ski trails for a club training time trial. It'll be about 10km in length, or you can opt for a shorter version of about 6km. There will be classic track set, along with the skate lane, of course. Format is just like the Tuesday evening bike time trials -- I'll go off first and serve as "timer," but you need to time yourself, as this is just for fun and not very official. We may also have a backup timer. We'll plan on sending the first skier off (me) by 9:30am, so be up there earlier for warmup and getting your name on the start list. We'll meet at the "Coat Tree" at point B on the trail system (see map: http://swnordicski.org/USFS_Pajarito_Ski_Trail_Map.pdf) The course will likely make one big loop from B, through all the letters in a "clockwise" direction, re-enter the woods at pt. M, go to pt. J and repeat the upper woods and meadow sections, then continue past pt. M (staying left) on the second lap down through pts. O, P, R, then make the sharp turn at pt. A and head back to pt. B. If you want to skip the second round of the upper section (M-J-K-L-M), then you can opt for the 6km version and just head straight down to the lower trail (N-O-P-R) and turn at pt. A to finish at pt. B. Be aware that there may be people out skiing for fun and that the course is NOT closed. So, ski in control and keep your eyes out. It's just for fun and training. Everyone is welcome! Hope to you see you there." There will be a timer, and the interval starts will be at 30 second intervals.

Trail Report 12/28/09 9pm

Hi all,

We've run into some pretty big snags with the machinery...we need to fix a few things and purchase some parts, but we're managing to hang on by a thread. Please help if you can by paying your dues and/or donating. If you enjoy skiing close to home, it's a bargain! One of the groomers who fell victim to a bad breakdown (and heroically went back out the next morning to perform a fix out on the trail), suggested we attach a donation bucket to the broken machine. Despite our great relationship with the Forest Service, they would probably frown on that.

Anyway, despite the grooming equipment snafus, the trails have been mostly regroomed since the major Christmas weekend traffic. Skate lanes have been refreshed (mostly) and there's fresh classic track on all but TJ's and Dave's Dogleg, and the front hill, where the snow is still thin.

Things are still in good shape!

Trail Conditions: update

In spite of very heavy holiday traffic on the trails, extra cold temps day and night have kept the skiing very nice. The classic tracks are pretty wide now from apparent large numbers of skiers using heavy touring skiis, but the widened tracks are firm and not glazed.

The new snowshoe trail shows evidence of a lot of use as well.

Next storm on Monday-Tuesday should allow our hard working groomers to freshen things up nicely.... remember, if you haven't joined SWNSC yet, or donated, that we spend around $3000.00 each Winter grooming and the funding is entirely from memberships and donations!

Here's a new report of the work John and Denny did last night:

"Here's a quick report - the main trail system is packed, the tidds were run and track was set with the 6ft Tidd. The high side (no track set side) of the trail could use some widening in spots, and the shortcuts and cutoffs need attention. I think we are set for Christmas and then some unless someone gets inspired to hit the high side. "

Trail Report 12/23/09 2pm

Season's Greetings!

The Nordic trails received anywhere from 6" to 8", and now probably more as it has been snowing off and on during the day.

The new snow was packed with one big pass with the rollers, leaving the classic tracks intact where possible. Things will be soft for a couple of days.

There are plans for more packing and grooming tonight and tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Club Training TT on January 3, 2010

Hey gang,

If you're around on January 3, aren't too hung over, and are interested in getting in a good hard workout effort, come meet us up at the Nordic trails in the morning for an impromptu time trial. It's just a low-key training thing, but it'll give you and idea how your skiing workouts are going.

We've done these club things in the past and they're fun and low-key. I will personally buy the fastest male and female finishers burritos in the ski area lodge afterward! (...or, beers later in the afternoon if that's what motivates you more =)

It'll be a "freestyle," but it'll be groomed for both skate and classic. We'll likely get started around 9 or 9:30 am or so. We'll post more as we get closer. It's New Years Resolution time again, so come on out.

Trail Report 12/21/09 (new)

Happy Winter Solstice!

Trail was extensively groomed over the weekend to clean up the ridges, ruts and sides. This should really help things level out with more snow...when and if it comes.

A classic track was set today at noon, while it was warmer so it would pull in a little deeper. Bear in mind that the coverage is still in early-season form, so there may be a few thin spots and obstacles in the skate and classic track. Classic track was set on the entire system.

There have been some hikers and snowshoers on the upper "skiing-only" trails, and they inflicted some pretty good damage with the nature of the post-holing. It's a shame, as the track looked great before they did that.

Looks like it's turned from hard kick wax to some sort of klister blend. If you ski early, it's simply a mixture of universal and ice klister. If you ski after things soften up, a mixture of universal and something warmer will be the ticket, but it'll be sticky in the meadow where the snow never transforms, so keep it thin. It's probably better to go with "no-wax" skis if you don't like the variability in those conditions. Grip tape works great for that condition too.

It's supposed to snow tomorrow, so get it while the gettin's good.

trail Conditions: update

Grooming report from Ken Kisiel:

Ran the 4’ Tidd with wings attached on the main trails. Used the teeth to remove the grooves in most areas and also refresh areas becoming icy. Also got down the cutoff from TJ’s to the garage twice and back to Point A. I think it was an improvement. The Tidd teeth broke up ice and removed the grove while the wings knocked down the snow on the edges without exposing hazards.

Trails in great shape

In my 5 years here in the alamos, this is by far the best shape the trails have been this early in December. After a Friday ski and a saturday snow shoe I declare them great. Still some aspen shoots need to be cut, still some rocks and sticks need to be buried, but you barely need to be careful. Some pics:
point a:


point J, note the new wider trail going around the rock.:


Meadow:


Overlook at the tip of "pauls Portal" the new snowshoe trail:


Also check out more photos here

Grooming report 12/11/09

From Clay:
Lots of hours went into getting the trails into shape after this last storm. But, things look great for the weekend...probably one of the best early season grooming jobs despite a still thin base.
Just about all of the "regular" trails are groomed, but be careful on the meadow sections from point L down. There are a few hidden obstacles here and there, plus some clumps of grass where the wind scoured the snow a little thin. There are also some tops of big rocks that are not quite 100% covered. Maybe next storm will make it possible to ski with good skis...best to stick with rock skis for now.
There's also a classic track, but keep in mind that it's early season and obstacles had to be dodged in places, and in some others the track may be a little thin.
Be sure to get your memberships renewed. The club always goes through a lean spell this time of the year which results in some of the volunteers footing the bill until the donations and member fees come in. It has always worked out, but just barely!
Here's to the new ski season. Happy skiing!

Help out by snowshoeing and skiing!

If you are thinking about going up on our trails (see map on the homepage under The Trail section) on your backcountry skis or snowshoes this week, please consider making your own tracks (vs following in existing ones) to stomp out as much of the full width of the trail as possible - it will really help the groomers get the machines up there after the storm to make nice skate and classic ski lanes!

If it has NOT been groomed (ie no machine tracks of any kind) its actually helpful to snowshoe on the upper trails too despite the signs. The signs that say not to are only meant for when its groomed. So this is a good chance to get on the upper trail before the grooming closes access to anything but skis.

Also, Paul, Dave, Tom and Donna made record time before this snowfall to create a brand new snowshoe specific (no machines on it!) trail off of Canada Bonita main trail! We are hoping to post official 'Snowshoe trail' signs in the next week on it. More info, map and photos to be posted soon on the swnordic.org site. The county also started a snowshoe rental and learning program. We will post links to it in the same place.

Btw, the trail will be called Paul's Portal after our own Paul Graham since he was the one to find the best path while working with Tom and Donna. That path also luckily required less deadfall clearing than was originally expected. Dave W worked hard most of Sunday to clear the deadfall from the trail! Made for a brand new trail in about 2 days! Although more work to still be done with signs etc. See Tom's previous post on how to find the trailhead.

Have fun and a HUGE thanks if you do try to stomp some snow out for us!!

New Trail for snowshoes: Paul's Portal

Over the weekend and just in time for last night's big snowstorm a team consisting of Paul Graham, Dave Wykoff and Donna and Tom Berg created a new snowshoe trail East of the main multi use trail portion of the SWNSC trail system at Pajarito. Signs are not up yet, tho the whole trail is flagged and easy to follow. To find it take the Guaje Canyon Trail 282 down the hill a few hundred meters past Point "A". After the flat section following the hill at "A" keep looking right (East) and you'll see orange ribbons leading down into the woods. Follow the flags about a half kilometer as the trail winds its way out to a nice overlook of Los Alamos Canyon and the townsite beyond. Right now it is an out-and-back trail, but we hope next year to have it loop back to the main trail somewhere around Point "P". We'll get some signs up in the next week or so.

Ken's trail report

Here is an update on Wednesday night's trail work and snow conditions from Ken Kisiel our ex club president:

"Denny and I removed the aspen down on the lower road and worked the two lower cut-offs off TJ’s adding downfall to the downhill side. We also built up around the larger rocks also. Should be an improvement in both skiing and grooming. Also trimmed a lot aspen shoots. Snow is still holding on most of the trail. Another 6” will allow for some initial packing."

Recap of where we are for 09-10 season!

The board has had another meeting getting ready for the 2009-2010 season. Summary of all things trail and club from Tom Berg below:

Hi Members and Donors,
Well it's that time of year again, the snow is starting to fall andalmost all of the pre-season trail work is now done and the trailslook really good. The guys tell me that the machines are ready forsnow and grooming. The El Nino forecast looks great for this year soinvesting in the club by joining is a good idea!
We have some interesting things happening this season.
Dave W has reopened up an old narrow woodsy trail we used back in the'80s that will provide a non-skating alternative to going up thefront road ..... it does require lots of snowfall as it's southfacing, but given the hopeful el Nino forecast there is a pretty goodchance we may get to ski it this winter.
We are also looking at flagging out a snowshoe trail to the east ofthe main road trail (Guaje Canyon Trail #282, aka the "Multi UseTrail") which would lead to an overlook above Los AlamosCanyon .... this wd be a ungroomed trail, wide enough forsnowshoeing and would wind its way thru those woods east of the road(no tree cutting wd be done). There wd probably be some cuttingrequired of deadfall along with volunteer work involved in clearingthe deadfall away from the path. We are seeking some volunteersfrom our snowshowing members and the snowshoe community in general tohelp with this. If yr interested in helping give me a ring at455-2380, or reply thru this members email.
We hope to connect the hut to electricity this winter as the countyis doing power work up there in conjunction with their ongoing waterline project on Camp May Road. This will make servicing the machinesmuch easier, but will cost the club some money for a power hookup andmeter.
Paul, Clay and myself are putting the finishing touches on ourFederal 501c Tax Excemption application, and we hope to achieve taxexempt status later on this Winter.
So there is a lot going on this ski season and I hope you will wantto be a part of it.
This trail (and this club in various forms) has been going on sinceDave Platts, Tim Johnson and I first started work on it back in1983-84. That's a lot of volunteer hours by a lot of busy peopledoing trail work and x-c skiing over 25 years, and it's all happenedthanks to all you past members, plus a lot of help over those yearsfrom Pajarito Ski Area, and help in every way from the Forest Serviceand Miles Standish, our USFS Recreation Ranger.
And it has made a wonderful venue for x-c skiing for us all, as wellas good hiking and mountain biking in the Summer. However it isfunded entirely by donations and membership fees, there are no trailuser fees, so we do need you to join Southwest Nordic Ski Club eachyear to keep the whole thing going. It's only $30 for a familymembership and $20 for an individual membership. If you are notinterested in joining clubs, being a donor-user is always welcome,and if fact donors provide a significant portion of our annual budget.
I've attached a current membership form to this email you can use tojoin us. Or you can go to http://swnordicski.org/ and click on"Join SWNSC" and download a form there, write a check and mail it in.
Again we will be stocking the bins on the trailhead bulletin boardwith membership forms and envelopes to solicit members and donorsfrom the daily x-c and snowshoe trail users.
Thanks for your help,
Tom Berg

Work Day Photos

Most of the fence went up last saturday. Go us. Still lopping and point J fencing to go. Maybe more. Thanks to all that came out. Come on snow!


Decent snow coverage on the sown hill area and on the meadow trails.


Fence looks good as clay reappears on Kermit

Attn: SW Nordic Ski Members and Supporters

Trail Work Day, Saturday, 7 November at 10AM

There is a very nice weather forecast for this week (for trail work, not skiing!) so we're going to get some work done up on the ski trail. We'll be meeting at the trailhead bulletin board at 10AM, then proceeding a couple hundred yards up the front hill to begin work on the "Sun Fence", so if yr running late, we'll be easy to find.

We'll be putting up the "Sun Fence" on the Front Hill, and also at a couple points further on up the trail system. For this bring warm clothes (in spite of the forecast!), work gloves, a snack and drinks. Bring a jack knife or snips or a "Leatherman" tool wd be handy for cutting the zip ties we hang the fence with. A small pair of clippers wd be nice for trimming the many aspen shoots that popped up this summer all over the trail.

A second shift will be starting under the auspices of John Ullman at 1:30 PM, so if you have a morning conflict, there is still a slot for you to come up and help. Figure on putting in a couple hours if you can.

If you are more into the logging/chainsawing mode, there are still a couple trees down that need more cutting up and hauling off the trail and a group of our experienced groomer/sawyers will be there and will welcome your assistance.

Please consider coming up and helping out , a small group of our hardcore diehards have already been putting in a lot of hours (see notes below), and we owe it to them to follow up with this nice simple job.

Call me at 455-2380 or email for questions or more information

Thanks, tom

Sorry for the spam posts

I have fixed the problem I hope. Only skiing from now on. Only 5 more months til winter.

Season continued one more day

Due to a nice dumping of snow on the 17th, skiing was to be had on the morning of the 18th. I tried to get up the hill on the evening of the 17th, but was turned back on no-shine hill due to snow and ice that defeated my two wheel drive. But on Saturday morning, Jessica and I got up to the trails for some good skiing.

Good coverage early on the trails


Woods were nice but sticky


Dork-grin me and action Jessica at point A


It was really sticky for me going up, so I mostly ran, coming back down it warmed up and I had some glide.


Jessica and I at the top of the meadow


The snow was great. I wish I did not stick as much on the way up, Jessica was strangely immune from this issue. The way back was pretty fun though, and the meadow was great. There were probably 10 skiers out by noon, with no snowshoe or dog tracks at all. The coat tree down to the bottom was going fast as we were leaving, but we successfully snuck in one more day.

Easter Skiing...Awesome!

It has snowed more in April than I think it did in all of January and February combined. Late March wasn't so bad either.

We finally got out in one of these spring snowstorms to check out the skiing. In the past, I would go up pretty easily by myself when it did this, but with the new addition to the family, it's not quite as easy as it used to be. This time, the family came along, despite the daunting weather conditions. It was a lot of fun.

At the Coat Tree (point B). Mila's just about to fall asleep!


There was anywhere from about 12" to 16" of new snow on the trails, depending on where you measured. The upper parts of the trail had the most, of course. We never hit a single thing with our skis, but did feel the rocks below while skiing up the front hill. Once we were a little ways past the coat tree, we could feel the old snow base underneath...pretty solidly frozen. It would have actually been groomable, but the heck with that!

I'm one "switchback" above Dina, who is just past point J.

You can see that the fencing is down at point A (the banner is still up and looking good), and other sections of fencing were pulled down by the heavy snow. I saw no evidence of wands or bamboo poles in the meadow. It'll be a while before we see those again. We saw only a couple of medium-ish aspens down by the bonfire meadow, by the upper shortcut.

Mila and Dina at point A...you can barely see the ski area in the background. Note the fencing is all pulled down.

Here are just a few more pics of our outing:

up near point L...we had to stop for a break and since Mila didn't have eye protection,

we didn't take her out into the meadow

Mila made a good ski companion

still snowing hard out in the meadow about 2pm on Easter Sunday

A nice birkebeiner report

As some club members know, this year I (tarik) decided to not train but for a few times and then go out and do all the races I could. The not training was due to slightly suboptimal snow conditions in feb and march, but mostly due to fun things like the new baby and not so fun things like having to actually go to work to get paid. I think I raced more times in 2009 than I trained. No big deal, I was able to do a bunch of fun races and was able to race my way into shape so I did a 30k and 40k skate race and had fun. I am still three race reports behind, I may get to them before winter 2009-2010 starts, but in the meantime, please go check out this race report from the american biekebeiner.

Sean, the author, is a pal of a pal of mine in Iowa. His report is spectacular! As is his preparation, or lack thereof. Every time I think something like, "Man the snow kind of sucked this year for training" I need to remember to think first of our midwestern brethern scraping around on a 200meter patch of snow for training. So in this spirit instead of slightly suboptimal, I have revised the 2008-2009 Los Alamos official snow conditions to Spectacular, yet not Specf*&kingtacular.

Note that his race report is in 4 parts. I know long rambling race reports, and this my friends is a class A long rambling race report. Great stuff, enjoy:

part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4