A Great Season

The nordic season comes to a close today. It was a good year. Lots of early snow and the track stayed great through out the year. Now as the days are getting longer and the melting increases areas of the golf course are starting to appear. Over the past few springs, local dust storms in the valley have carried dust to the course have helped increase the melting process by attracting more heat. For getting out on the golf course this can be a good thing, however when dust accelerates snow melt from the peaks, high run-off can happen earlier than normal and become treacherous to creek banks and floodplain areas.

Over the next few days we will be plowing paths and removing signage from the track. Contractors will be on-site next week to start the 7th tee project and finish the lightning shelter near the 11th green. Next we will be cleaning up around the bridges and putting the finishing touches on them as well.

As for the month of March, we nearly matched the snowfall for February with 50 inches. March beat January by 5 inches. We received a total of 2.61 inches of moisture. However, much of that is beginning to melt or evaporate into the atmosphere. The average high temperature for March was 40 degrees and the average low was 16.5 degrees. We received three days in the middle of March of 55 degree days and we bottomed out at 1 degree towards the beginning of the month.

The Nordic Series: The Staff

Here is your nordic maintenance staff. From left to right, Kirk, Tony, Justin and Steve. We are here every day grooming the track and snowshoe course each day for guests and locals in Vail to enjoy. Mark from VRD Sports and Scott, VRD Facilities Manager helps out in times of need through the season.

The Nordic facility has come a long way over the years, combined we have 30 years of grooming and maintenance experience with cross country tracks. We'll put our track up against any in the state. Oh yeah, we grow grass too!

The Nordic Series: Classic Skiing

Classic skiing is a great workout for the entire body. The bottom of the skis have diamond cut grooves to help grip the snow. It works best when you keep your skis in the grooves or pans provided and shown below.
Move your body in a running fashion and keep your balance in the pans. The past few days have been great for cross-country skiing with plenty of warm sunshine. The track remains to be in great shape with more snow on the way.

The Nordic Series: The Snowcat, Part 2

This post I want to discuss the plows and the pans of the snowcat. They are both critical parts of grooming to provide a quality track. Let's start with the pans.

The pans (above) are set for classic cross country skiing. During classic skiing, the skis grip the snow as you move in a similar fashion to running. The grooves help keep the skier balanced. It is important to keep these pans as straight and smooth as possible. Due to the length of the skis, sharp turns especially on hills can be quite difficult to maneuver. Classic skiing is usually the place to start for cross country skiing. We see a lot of "first-timers" out there classic skiing.

The pans can also be used during races for any type skier. We usually set a number of pans for our events at the starting line.

The plow in the front of the snowcat certainly helps moving snow and leveling out the track. Often times when the wind is blowing, we use the plow to manage the drifts. The wings of the plow help carve out the snow required. The plow can used to move snow onto thin areas of the track. The plow can also be used to scratch up a hard/icy track so the snow can be processed through the tiller easier.

The wings of the plow can be helpful with the edges of the ski trail.

Nordic Update

The Gas line is complete and the nordic track is back to normal. The supplemental line was installed back in the original trench. There is a little bit of cleanup that will be done after the snow melts away in the springtime.



On another note, It is hard to think about golf while the snow continues to pile up around here. However, it is always nice to be reminded of how the game of golf can be cool. I was forwarded this link to a cool video from the European Tour. Click here to view.

The Nordic Series: The Snowcat, Part 1

The Vail Recreation District purchased a new Prinoth Husky Snowcat a couple of seasons ago to keep up with the growing sport of nordic skiing here at the Vail Golf Club. As a golf course superintendent in this town, I am always asked what I do in the winter. I reply with "only working 40 hours a week".

Let me explain a few things about how a nordic track is maintained. First off, there are four of us through the winter months that groom and maintain the track daily. We also maintain a packed snowshoe course and some plowing. Much like golf, there are no holidays for nordic skiing, so there is someone on hand everyday for the entire day.

Below is the tiller or the cutter bar. The cutter bar is in the rear of the snowcat just before the corduroy mat, that tills up any snow and evens out the surface. It is crucial that the operator knows the course and how to manage the tiller at all times. During low snow periods, there could be rock or cart path that needs to be avoided. If there have been a number of days with no snow, the tiller helps to soften the surface slightly to allow skiers to catch their edge. When the snow piles up, the tiller helps pack the snow down and keep it in place. If the tiller is not set correctly for each condition it can severely impact the life of the track.

Visibility can be difficult when trying to understand what the snow looks like after it has been processed through the tiller. Having the mirrors set correctly, quickly helps grooming for the day. They help you see how much snow is gathering in the tiller, how fast the tiller speed is, what condition the pans leave behind, and that one skier who is riding your tail.

The steering wheel is the "bread and butter" of the operation. Conveniently you can make all the necessary changes you need right in front of you. The four push buttons on the top left help direct the entire rear attachment. The positions are center, left, right and float. Float is most commonly used to react to turns. The four green and black buttons operate the tiller and the pans. From left to right; turns the tiller on/off, sets the depth of the cutter bar, raise/lower the left pan, raise/lower the right pan.

The two knobs on the bottom left of the wheel determine tiller turning speed and the speed of the entire unit. The bottom push button operates the windshield wipers and in the background above the wheel is the light console to inform you of what is happening and what might be wrong (ex. low oil, pressure, etc)

This is your main switch board. The joy stick operates the plow in front of the cat, there are pressure, fuel and rpm gauges. Finally, there are numerous switches to help with the cutter bar, defrost to keep windows clear, parking brakes, exterior lights, heat, wipers, and of course the radio.

In part 2, I will discuss more about the pans, plow and other features of the snow cat. The series will also discuss course markings, types of skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, safety and other maintenance equipment.

Almost There...

The end is in sight. Yesterday by 10.30am both frames of 11 & 17 bridge were in place and they fit like a glove. To the left is the 17th being lowered into position. For video of the process, visit the video bar to the right of the page.

The 17th bridge has one slight addition, a domestic gas line, as you can see it hanging from the frame. Earlier in this project, the gas company had a problem with one of their valves on this line and it caused a small explosion. This is a supplemental line and since we are nearing the peak season for natural gas demand, XCel will begin the process of replacing that line on Tuesday. Not the greatest news with the weather, present snow and the fact we need to keep track of our new irrigation system. However, it is better than piling this on the spring.

I will have more information later this week with details of the new gas line installation. Yes, it will have some effect on our operations, however since we have spent time and money on this new bridge I feel more comfortable knowing everything with the gas line will be corrected to prevent another explosion.

As for the bridges, they are not operational yet. The railings and deck need to be secured before we allow use of the bridges. The first step is being done right now, as the metal floor is being welded onto the frame. Next, the railings will be installed and a temporary deck for the winter will be placed. Ultimately, a concrete deck will be poured as the permanent deck, but we have decided against pouring concrete this time of year. The concrete will be poured in April when the nordic season is over and nighttime temperatures are typically higher than December.

Our plan is to have the bridges operational by December 13th. Keep checking the blog for the latest details.

Moving Bridges

From the moment I first laid eyes on the bridges on the golf course I knew that these aging structures needed to be replaced. Unfortunately they fell down the priority list behind a new irrigation system and some failing retaining walls. However, today is the day we begin with the final steps of the new large bridges on the 11th and 17h holes.

Pictured here are the bottom of the rails that have already been installed. Due to the schedule of the crane company, today will be when they are placed onto the abutments. Over the next week the railings and transitions to the bridge will be finalized. They will be available for the nordic community on December 13th.

The railings have been stained and prepared for all weather conditions. You will notice how nicely they match the wood detail of the pumphouse and the new weather shelter.

Nordic Remains

This is what we have seen happen around the course from the Nordic track. No worries, this is under warranty and is a minor fix. All that seems to have happened here is that the sprinkler head heaved out of place. No other damage yet, the head seems to work just fine. If this is not repaired properly, a mower will level it out nicely.

Overall the golf course came through the winter pretty good especially with the low snow depths. There are only a few irrigation heads that need to be repaired. Turf-wise, we have some slow spots on the 3rd, 5th and 18th.

Grooming

The grooming this year has been decent. Due to low snow levels, I think anyone who is a frequent visitor to the Nordic Track would enjoy it. The track is 100% open.

Beware of the occasional rock popping through in East Vail, or some "dirty" turns as the native soils that lay beneath are loosened from the snowcat tracks.

Be as it may, yesterday was booming! A free demo day for nordic equipment, there certainly was a buzz around the clubhouse and every kilometer of the track. From the Olympic hopeful to the beginner skier, this track is becoming a hit.

The VRD's GCM and Parks Maintenance staff arrive long before the sun rises each morning to lay down new corduroy on the 17K track. During a season such as this it sometimes takes more of an effort marking trails, shoveling, blowing, plowing snow and constant communication.

So far this season no matter how long it will exist has been a success.

Needing snow

This seems to be the trend over the last 3 years, where the snow slowly comes to Vail. This year has been no different. More snow fell in Edwards last night than Vail, which makes us scratch our heads. As for recreation, 4 or less inches of snow on the ground, won't slow down anyone. There is still plenty to do other than golf. The other day I noticed a large football game going on at the athletic field along the 6th hole.
There is limited Nordic available on the golf course and most of the bike path to the East Vail. The trails have been marked and it helps when people follow directions and stay on the designated trails. There are many Nordic athletes preparing for the up-coming season and others who are looking to shake the cob-webs like those getting up on the hill for an hour or so these days.

Plenty of Snow

A bit more snow this first weekend of the new year. We have our annual Open House for the Nordic Community. We are looking forward to another great year of Nordic skiing at the golf course. With the purchase of the new snowcat grooming has never been better. We will be grooming right through the end of March. Enjoy!

Almost there...

The Nordic season is upon us. With some recent snowfall the golf season is officially history and the nordic track is being set. The guys are working on packing the trails with the snowmobile and the roller. We are also coordinating signage throughout the trails and prepping for the busy nordic season ahead.

The high school squads are busy gearing up for some recent races and are anxious for the new season.

Even with the new snow cat that the VRD purchased, we are going to need a bit more snow to fall. A minimum of 18 before we can release it on the golf course and throughout East Vail. Be sure to check this site periodically for pictures of the winter happenings and the new grooming equipment, and let it snow!