December 29, 2014 at 5:06 p.m.
Helping the littlest skiers the focus of candlelight ski event
Helping the littlest skiers the focus of candlelight ski event
Those who list Nordic skiing as their favorite live to hit the trails where they can feel the cold, crisp Northwoods winter air rush over the faces.
Not everyone has reached expert status, however, and for those who are new to winter sports, getting started can be a daunting task.
To help those with an interest in skiing learn to glide, the Northwoods Nordic Ski Club held its 12th annual candlelight ski event Saturday evening at the Rhinelander High School Community Trail.
"We're here to help people get out and enjoy the camaraderie of skiing and learn some of the basics on how to ski," said Mike Preul of the Rhinelander Sno-Dags, a youth Nordic skiing club that helped organize the event.
"People can come out and learn how to ski and enjoy some hot cider and just have a good time. It gets people out and trying it."
Preul said skiing can be an intimidating experience. That's why the event exists, and that's why it's so important to have Mel's Ski Shop participate every year. Each year, Mel's provides skis to people who really want to try out cross country skiing but don't have the equipment.
"I think, in general, skiing equipment can be intimidating. People think they'd love to try skiing out but don't have the equipment," Preul said.
"Mel's is here each year providing their rental equipment for people to use and try out. I think that really opens people's eyes and gives them an opportunity to determine whether they like it or not."
The event is for anyone and everyone who wants to give Nordic skiing a try, but this year the group really focused on giving the littlest skiers a chance to glide across the winter wonderland.
"This year, we really wanted to get the kids out there trying this out with their parents. That's really what this should be all about, families coming together and trying it out," Preul said.
"It seems to have worked, too, because we've got quite a few kids out here trying it out."
Participation in the event was up from last year. That might be because it was held on a Saturday instead of a Friday. It might be because it wasn't as cold this year. New snowfall during the day might have had something to do with it, too.
"We didn't need it, to be honest, but snow is never a bad thing," Preul said.
"It ended up taking me about six hours to groom the trails again to get them ready and compacted, but it made for a postcard setting."
That postcard setting was truly enjoyed by those on the trail.
"It's absolutely beautiful out here. I've always wanted to try skiing and have never been able to talk myself into it, but it's just so gorgeous out tonight I figured what better way to give it a try than in our perfect winter wonderland," Jerri Saldiski said.
"I'm sure glad I tried it, too. Going into the trees and seeing everything so calm and white, it was breathtaking. I'll definitely be trying this again, if for no other reason than to see all the beautiful scenery."
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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