December 30, 2013 at 3:14 p.m.
Candlelight skiing event gives beginners a chance to test out the trails
Candlelight skiing event gives beginners a chance to test out the trails
To help those with an interest in skiing learn to glide, the Northwoods Nordic Ski Club held its 11th annual Candlelight Ski event Friday evening at the Rhinelander High School Community Trail.
"We've just got a great group of people involved in cross country skiing in this area," said Chris Koeppl, president of the club's board of directors. "This is all about growing community interest. The fact that we've had this trail here, once this trail was created, we figured this was an in-town trail that's got close and easy access for people as opposed to the other trails that are a little further out of town and it's a very beginner-friendly trail. It's great for families to just come out here and enjoy a relatively short, pretty technically easy trail."
Koeppl said the candlelight ski event has lasted so long - and will continue to be a mainstay during the winter months in the Northwoods - because of the great group of people in the club who want nothing more than to help people get out and ski.
"It's just about the community. We want to let them know we're here, we've got a club that organizes cross country ski events, we've got trails that we maintain, and we're interested in getting more people interested in cross country skiing," Koeppl said. "We don't want people to be intimidated by it. It's just an opportunity to come out, say hi to people that are involved in cross country skiing and just enjoy it."
One of the more important aspects of the event is the fact that there are skis available for anyone who wants to try skiing.
"I can't say enough about Mel's Ski Shop. (They are) here every year with a bunch of skis for people to use that really want to try out cross country skiing but don't have the equipment," Koeppl said. "That's been huge for us. You can't get people out here to try it out unless they have skis to use. We couldn't do this without those skis."
The simple fact that there are skis to use has brought many people out of the woodworks to give cross country skiing a shot.
"I got up here a few years ago. I came from down south and came up here for work and ever since I got up here, I've wanted to try the winter stuff," said Chad Boswicki. "I've never really had a winter until I got up here and the fact that there's stuff for me to use, to try out, has really helped. I've got my own skis now, but when I first started out, I don't know if I would have ever tried it without being able to use some skis first to see what I thought about it."
It's that kind of reaction that keeps Koeppl and his group going.
"That's why we do it. As long as there's a club and there are trails, we'll be out here helping people get interested in cross country skiing," he said.
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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