Cross country skiing has returned to the J.

Friday, December 15, 2000

Cross country skiing has returned to the J.C. Hormel Nature Center.

After Wednesday’s addition three-inches of snow, the nine miles of trails are packed and set.

However, there is a change this season that could impact on skiers: the Nature Center no longer sells ski passes.

"We would like to, but we can’t," said Larry Dolphin, naturalist/director. "The state won’t allow us to just sell ski passes. We would have to sell hunting and fishing licenses, too."

Ski passes are still required on the trails by state law, but they will have to be purchased at other hunting-fishing license outlets, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In Austin, they include the Mower County Auditor’s office, Nemitz’s in downtown Austin and Big Kmart Store and Wagner’s True Value Hardware Store, both along 18th Avenue Northwest in Austin.

A season pass costs $10, according to Dolphin.

"We are still trying to get an exemption that would allow us to sell only the ski passes at the Nature Center and the county auditor is looking into that, but, for now, we can’t," said Dolphin.

In order to sell the ski passes, the DNR requires outlets to go on-line with designated telephone and computer lines to facilitate the sales, which would include hunting and fishing licenses also. "The expense would be too great for us to do that," said Dolphin.

Meanwhile, the Nature Center’s ski, poles and boots rentals begin immediately Skiers can rent all three for $5 for a half-day of skiing.

The rentals are available Monday through Friday, during regular office hours at the interpretive center, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1-5 p.m.

The Nature Center has five sets of skis, boots, poles to rent and they are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Dolphin

The process utilizes the Ski-Doo Alpine snowmobile, purchased with a grant from the Hormel Foundation and pulling the grooming sled.

It begins with compacting the snow, usually when it reaches the 5-inch depth. Then, the actually trail grooming begins when another three inches of snow falls.

Meanwhile, novice skiers have a video they can watch to learn the basic technique before experimenting the over nine miles of trails on their own. This year a new trail has been added over a small mound near the pond.

Cross country ski lessons begin January 20 and the classic "diagonal stride" method is taught by Dolphin. The lessons cost $5 and will run 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. one day only next month, according to Dolphin.

Lastly, Dolphin cautioned walkers to use the sides of the groomed ski trails.

For more information, call 437-7519.