Weather finally cooperating for cross country skiers
Published 10:46 am Monday, December 24, 2012
A skier takes to the trails at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Friday afternoon. Thanks to the storm that blew through Thursday, there is now enough snow for skiers to take advantage of the trails.
After warm weather and little snowfall truncated the season last year, local cross country skiers are back on the trail.
Tim Rodgers grooms the cross country ski trails Friday afternoon at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. With the new-fallen snow from Thursday's storm there is now a good base available for skiers at the Nature Center.
Last week’s snowfall kicked off the winter recreation season, but last year, a warm winter that saw many people unable to get out and enjoy traditional winter activities like cross country skiing and snowmobiling.
Last year, the annual Kevin and Kyle Dammen Ski Race was changed to a run after temperatures were topping out in the 40s and 50s in January.
Nature Center Director Larry Dolphin has said the typical cross country skiing season lasts six to eight weeks at the Nature Center, and last year they only had a few days through mid-January.
Nature Center officials noted the season simply depends on the weather.
“Mother nature gives us snowfall when she gives us snowfall,” said Julie Champlin, Nature Center assistant.
