Forty-three participants joined the Nordic skiing instruction event Saturday at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center.
by Helen Beattie, Community Journalist
CRAFTSBURY — The Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s (COC) offer to host a Hardwick Trails group drew larger than anticipated crowds. This past Saturday, 43 participants joined in a morning of Nordic skiing at this world class ski center, just down the road from the Hardwick Trails. Hazen Union teacher Emily Willems volunteered to bus folks up to the center, and then provided a brief introduction of technique to new skiers before sending them off to hone their skills. The COC treated all to a cup of hot cocoa to top off the morning ski, to go along with the bowl of chocolate chip cookies provided by the Trails committee.
Twenty six of those taking part in this event were able to secure equipment loans from the Hazen Union cabin inventory, and the COC generously offered to supplement those offerings. For example, the center helped a family of five with the loan of a pull-along sled for their two-year-old.
The COC has long been an advocate for the Hardwick Trails efforts, assisting in securing equipment each year. Their mission includes making the center accessible to all, and reaching out to the Hardwick Trails to sponsor this event is evidence of this deep commitment.
Given the late start to our season, the overwhelming interest in the loan and lesson program, and new snow cover on its way, the Hardwick Trails committee will staff the cabin this coming Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., to loan ski and snowshoe equipment for the weekend to interested community members.
