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of Nordic skiing in Jackson Hole
JHSC Club & Community Nordic Update
Featured Coach: Calvin Wight
Where did you grow up and where did you ski growing up?
I grew up in Concord, MA and Alpine skied at Nashoba Valley. We would go on “forced marches” xc skiing across the pond abutting our back yard a few times a year. In the non-winter months I was an avid skateboarder
At what age did you start skiing?
I started Alpine skiing when I was two years old, and I started Nordic skiing when I was 14.
What is your history of Nordic skiing up to this point in your life?
I got into Nordic as a freshman in high school and raced for Concord-Carlisle Regional High School and Cambridge Sports Union, and skied Division 1 at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, where we also helped coach the Central Maine Ski Club. Moving out to Jackson to work as a fly fishing guide after college in the summers, I began coaching the Teewinot, Devo, and this year the Junior Team here at JHSC.
Does your family ski?
My whole family Alpine skis and I was the first to Nordic ski. I have been slowly converting them to try out the skinny skis a few times a year.
What are your most memorable races (if you raced in younger days?)
My most memorable races were our Massachusetts High School State Meets, which were hosted in wave starts. (We only raced skate mass start 5ks throughout high school regular season.)
Where do you like to ski when you aren’t at Trail Creek?
I enjoy Nordic skiing at Turpin Meadows, and ski touring in GTNP and in the Gros Ventres.
Have you ever coached before working for JHSC?
I coached the Central Maine Ski Club’s equivalent of Junior and Prep/Comp teams while I was racing in college.
What is your educational background?
I have a degree in Geology and Environmental Science, with a focus on glacial and snow hydrology.
What are your plans for the off season?
I plan to enjoy the spring touring around Jackson for a few weeks. Then I’ll head down to the desert for some sunshine, mountain biking, rafting, and camping, and then maybe head to the West Coast to ski some volcanoes.
How often do you ski now?
I Nordic ski just about 4-6 days a week, depending on schedule, and normally Alpine or tour 4-5 days in the mornings/days off.
What age group are you coaching now?
I coach the Junior Team, from 10-14 year-old athletes.
What or who turned you onto skiing in your youth?
My high school ski coach made skiing incredibly fun through team relays, jumps, and encouraging all aspects of the sport. This promoted having fun in all senses of the sport and encouraged my interest and commitment to trying to get better at skiing.
What is your favorite memory of skiing for JHSC or at Trail Creek?
My favorite memory so far of coaching JHSC at Trail Creek was this year’s IMD Youth Champs where we had many junior athletes put together some of their best races ever in a strong field. A close second would be some of the adventure skis we have had the past few years through Armins and Homesite areas.
What is the biggest challenge of being a coach?
The biggest challenge of being a coach at the junior level is managing ways to accommodate all abilities each day when you have developing athletes who have been skiing with the club for 8 years, and athletes whose first time putting on Nordic skis was this past December. But this challenge provides a great opportunity for athletes on the team to rise up as leaders and help their fellow teammates pick up the sport and become engaged in this community.
Any other thoughts you would like to share with the local Nordic community?
Being a part of the Nordic community in the Jackson area and the greater Intermountain region has been a wonderful opportunity to become more engaged and involved in this community. To be able to do so while working with incredible athletes, coaches, volunteers, and parents is a rewarding experience, and I would highly suggest anyone in the community to volunteer at a race, to see what effort the volunteers and officials put in, the effort and sportsmanship the athletes bring to each race, and the camaraderie shared within this community.
New Trail GPS, Elevation Profile & Info on JHNordic.com – Yeti’s Loop
Exciting news! We have just added a new trail into JHNordic.com/trails/, that is part of our Daily trail report in Teton Valley – Yeti’s Loop. https://jhnordic.com/trails/Yeti’s%20Loop/
Even though it hasn’t been groomed for 10 days, the trail has plenty of snow, and is skiing well on classic skis – not recommended for skate skis until the next groom. We encourage you to try out this awesome trail!
End of season grooming updates:
Grooming finished for the season: Teton Pines, Turpin Meadow Ranch, GTNP Teton Park Road
Saturday, March 30th – Last grooming day for TC/J Parks & Rec trail grooming
Saturday, March 30th – Trail Creek grooming – last day
You can also reference: https://jhnordic.com/grooming/
Last Updated: 3/23
14 Moose!
While they couldn’t all be convinced to line up for a photo tonight, a record breaking fourteen moose were hanging out in Woolsey Woods during this evening’s grooming. The picture is a little blurry but you can see ears back which is a sign that they have been hanging out at Trail Creek for plenty of time this winter and are ready for some fresh pastures. One bull in particular was picking on everybody tonight.
On the topic of grooming, things went really well in this evening’s grooming. Again the perimeter of the fields and the major woods trails received double Pisten Bully passes. The snow while soft, is holding up nicely so that the tracks on the Pisten Bully aren’t cutting in like they do in some really soft situations. However the classic track setter was able to lay in some really sharp classic tracks.
The close woods do have some heavy wildlife impact but the fields, Moose Loop, Armin’s, and the National Forest Trails will ski just the way you like tomorrow if you can find the right time to be there. Look for the next grooming Monday evening.
Last Updated: 3/10
Grooming is finished for the season.
*Thanks for a wonderful winter Jackson and JH Nordic Alliance!
Big thanks to Turpin for hosting the Annual JH Nordic Alliance Free Nordic Ski, Fat Bike, Snowshoe day in January. Mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Free event next year on Sunday, January 5th 2020!!
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec Grooming Report
Last Updated: 3/23
8:40am: the levee and Stilson are groomed and in good shape. Expect spring skiing since it didn’t really freeze last night. School fields will be done around 10:30.
Grand Teton National Park Grooming Report
Last Updated: 3/18
Plowing has begun at both the north and south ends of the Park road. Please do not ski on the road that has not yet been plowed, as this trail is closed for the season
We will keep everyone informed when the road re-opens to bikes, walkers, and other modes of human-powered transport.
Shooting Star Grooming Report
Last Updated: 3/23
Beginning Sunday (3/24), no more classic tracks will be set on the Nordic course. Spring weather has finally made the trails hard packed and icy, which creates a surface to firm for cutting classic tracks into the snow profile… Also, the warm weather severely melts/degrades the classic tracks in the afternoon. Lastly, reminder that the course will be closed until 11 am today (3/23) for the PPP and be aware that only the tournament course was groomed this morning. The remainder of the course should still be in great shape but could be icier until the weather warms this afternoon. Overall, skiing should be very enjoyable and we’ll attempt to keep daily grooming through Sunday April 7th (Conditions Permitting).
Next Update: Wednesday
Grand Targhee Grooming Report
Last Updated: 3/24
Another bout of snow is on the way and is expected to fall after 11 am. Overall though, skies will be mostly cloudy,
and highs will near 36 degrees. Winds will stay in the single digits and blow SE. Sounds like a good day to ski to me!
Cross Country/Fat Bike 15k: XC OPEN (Last groomed AM 3/24/2019) – No Classic Track Set, Fat Bike OPEN.
*Note: Sorry to inform folks that the nordic grooming cat with our classic track setter has suffered mechanical issues that are not able to be resolved for the rest of the season. Consequently, there will be no more classic track grooming for the rest of the season.
Pinedale Nordic Trail Report
Last Updated: 3/23 @ 9am
Most trails above groomed this morning. Temps in the mid-20Fs when I left. Skiing should be good in the morning and softening as the day goes on, depending on what the weather brings today. There are two vehicles stuck on the upper Kelly Park loop (drove onto the trails). Use caution. One is right at the bottom of the incline, so be careful coming down the hill. Have a good day.
Alta Track
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Last Updated: 3/24
Skate: Good | Classic: Good
We had a good freeze last night! I’m heading out this morning to groom; I should be done around 10.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 3/22 @ 6pm
Skate: N.A | Classic: Fair
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 3/22 @ 6pm
Skate: Poor | Classic: Not set
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Last Updated: 3/24
Skate: Good | Classic: Good
Finished grooming this morning (Sunday) at 9 am. Left classic track alone. Yesterday, a classic track was set on the north side of trail and it is still in decent shape. Biggest success was knocking down and filling in foot, hoof and paw tracks on the skate lane.
Still 49 inches of snow at the stake!
Teton Springs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
Last Updated: 3/23
Skate: Good | Classic: Not Set
Set a narrow but fairly firm skate track. The sled got bogged down in a few spots, so the trail will be chunky there. Also, watch for the cuts near the trail where the golf course crews have been working.
Yeti’s Loop
Grooming Schedule: As Needed
Last Updated: 3/13 @ 2am
Skate: Excellent | Classic: Excellent
Just finished grooming the Yeti. It always takes longer than anticipated…so much hair. Anyways, classic track is set for counter-clockwise skiing and the skate lane should be amazing. The trail is rather narrow so pay attention and stay in control.
Don’t forget about the orange donate button.
Enjoy!
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 3/1 @ 8am
Singletrack: Not set
Trails closed for wildlife. Please respect closure till snow recedes.
Thanks
Teton Springs Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 3/8 @ 7pm
Singletrack: Poor
Did two passes earlier today and got it established again, then it started snowing…
Southern Valley Single Track
Grooming Schedule: As Needed
Last Updated: 3/11 @ 3pm
Singletrack: Excellent
Teton County Winter Grooming & Plowing Community Open House
When: March 25
Where: 4H Extension Bldg, 255 W Deloney Ave, Jackson
Hosted by TC/J Parks & Recreation – come provide your feedback on winter trails – grooming, plowed, other TetonParksandRec.org
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