A skier enjoying freshly groomed tracks on Canada Bonita trail over the holidays. Canada Bonita trail is maintained year round and groomed for free cross country skiing in the winter by the volunteers of Southwest Nordic Ski Club with cooperation and support of US Forest Service. Courtesy photo
BY DINA PESENSON
Secretary
SWNSC
Southwest Nordic Ski Club (SWNSC) folks and friends have been enjoying another great winter season!
Good snow arrived the week of Thanksgiving this season but unfortunately along with heavy winds that brought down over 60 trees along the cross country ski trail (aka Canada Bonita trail). It took over 40 volunteer hours more than 6 days to clear the trail, repair the crushed shade fencing before grooming could even begin. But the volunteers persevered and trails were ready for happy skiers first weekend in December!
David Brown enjoying skiing on Canada Bonita trail with his son over the holidays. Map of the Canada Bonita cross country ski trail can be found here: http://swnskiclub.org/wp-content/uploads/skitrails_v2.pdf Courtesy photo
The club celebrated the start of the season by putting on the popular beginner and intermediate skate and classic ski clinics for adults. Due to positive feedback and requests for more clinics, club volunteers will be holding another set of clinics on Saturday, Jan 25. See below.
Southwest Nordic Kids Ski Team having fun on Canada Bonita cross country ski trail over the holiday break. Courtesy photo
Club volunteers continued grooming the trail with professional level grooming making for fantastic ski conditions for the many skiers out on the trail every day and especially over the holidays. The club also put on their annual free New Year Resolution “Tourace” on Jan 5 with 3k, 5k and 10k courses attracting some 30 participants.
Some happy participants gather after finishing the New Years Resolution Race on Canada Bonita cross country ski trail Jan. 5. Map of the Canada Bonita cross country ski trail can be found at: http://swnskiclub.org/wp-content/uploads/skitrails_v2.pdf Courtesy photo
Southwest Nordic Ski Club members enjoy participating in many fun nordic events in the area. Last weekend a large group participated in fun races in Pagosa Springs with great results for all the club skiers from beginners to seasoned racers. Next weekend folks are heading to Chama for their 47th Annual Chama Chile Ski Classic events on Saturday and Sunday that include skate, classic and showshoe races, kids and rookie races as well as costume contests and beginner ski clinics. After Chama weekend it will be on to BB Gun Biathlon in Pagosa Springs, CO and Alley Loop events in Crested Butte, CO. 
SWNSC junior nordic team practicing on Camp May Road near the Canada Bonita trailhead in early December. Courtesy photo
SWNSC junior nordic team has grown over the past few years and has started attending some of the Junior National Qualifier races in the Rocky Mountain Nordic region. The team had 10 participants in the December races in Crested Butte, CO garnering 11 podium spots resulting in highest points/member ratio out of all participating clubs and scoring enough points to place 5th in the team standings ahead of larger junior programs like Aspen, Durango and Crested Butte. Next up for the competitive kids team are Junior National Qualifier races in Minturn, CO.
SWNSC skiers Mila Moseley and Madalyn Baily taking over the girls Under 12 age group podium in 1st and 3rd place, with a skier from Steamboat Springs team in 2nd place at the December Junior National Qualifier races in Crested Butte, CO. Courtesy photo
To learn more about cross country skiing in our area or about Southwest Nordic Ski Club please email the club at SWNSKIboard@gmail.com. Information for the ski clinics on Jan 25 is below.
Skier going up the meadow part of the multi-use portion of the Canada Bonita cross country ski trail. A map of the trail can be found at http://swnskiclub.org/wp-content/uploads/skitrails_v2.pdf Courtesy photo
For cross country ski clinics on Saturday, Jan. 25, meet on Camp May road below Aspen lift of the Pajarito Ski Area. The classic clinic is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the skate clinic is from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Clinics are free to current club members and are aimed at beginner and intermediate level skiers.
You can join the club online and email SWNSKIboard@gmail.com to hold your spot in the clinic as the clinics are limited to first 12 adults to sign up. These clinics are for adults and participants need to have their own skis, boots and poles. There are currently no gear rentals in town but folks can check out Cottam’s Ski Shop in Santa Fe if they would like to rent cross country ski gear.