To Ski or Not to Ski         

Winter exercise with no monthly fee

Story and photos by Renee Blaise

The rhythmic swish of fiberglass moving back and forth against the crisp white snow is swallowed up by the North Country’s seemingly endless acres of undeveloped land.  The North Country offers an abundance of opportunity for cross-country skiers, and the ingenuity of self-proclaimed trail groomers makes it an affordable activity that everyone can enjoy.

On winter’s snowy mornings, when he is not teaching at Peru school, cross-country skier Charlie Mitchell can be seen grooming his trails behind his house.  His groomed trails are shared by his friends and neighbors. “I own 115 acres, and the main trail is around three miles long,” says Mitchell, who loves the sport and spends the majority of his evenings on the trails. “Sometimes I go skiing every day; it just depends.” 

“I love it, it’s a nice activity to do when our friends get together.”

Mitchell grooms his own private trails with a snowmobile that he purchased used for $2500.  He has also purchased three different groomers to make the job easier.  One of the groomers is called a roller, and it’s used when there is “deep snow to help flatten it out.” He uses a packer to groom the trails, and a trail planer to smooth out the high and low spots.

Although grooming trails can be difficult, Mitchell still manages to have a good time. “I have work parties in the fall with the guys that like to ski, and this helps to keep the trails clear,” says Mitchell.

“It is utilizing nature for your entertainment.”

The cost of skiing is affordable, largely because of the $500 groomer fund that Mitchell’s friends and neighbors contribute to. This fund helps with the cost of oil, gas, and repairs on the grooming equipment. “People contribute what they can. There’s no set fee,” says Mitchell.

Mitchell’s neighbor Dee Surber is a frequent visitor of Mitchell’s trails. “I’m more apt to exercise if I can jump on the trails when I get home; having it right in your backyard is convenient. I love it. It’s a nice activity to do when our friends get together,” says Surber. 

Dustin Bernard, a cross country skier who goes at least twice a week, smiles as he says, “I like the solitude of being outside in the winter.”  Bernard prefers the challenge of breaking his own trails, which allows him to explore in areas he normally wouldn’t venture. Bernard says it is “good exercise and it is free.” 

“I’m more apt to exercise if I can jump on the trails when I get home; having it right in your backyard is convenient.”

The soft glow of winter’s moon is all Bernard needs to go skiing at night.  On nights when clouds obscure the light, he uses a headlamp to navigate the shared network of trails. Bernard believes cross-country skiing is great for the community, and says it is nice to have a give and take relationship with your neighbor. “I can’t deny it,” says Bernard. “It is nice having trails outside your own door.”

Whether the trails are crisp, groomed trails like Mitchell’s or are spontaneously created at the same moment they're skied on, cross-country skiing is a popular North Country winter sport. Cross-country skiing has a remarkable ability to bring communities together in an effort to make longer trails. When asked to describe cross-country skiing, Bernard says, “It is utilizing nature for your entertainment.”

How many families in your community have trails in their back yards?

How much have you spent on winter time activities for one family day of fun?