Cross-country skiers are no doubt already aware of the band of top-secret trail groomers who descend on the open fields of Concord. Okay, so maybe they're not a secret, but they do deserve some praise for their behind-the-scenes work during the cross-country skiing season.
And by “they,” we mean Eric Van Gelder, Fred Symmes, Jim Graham, Don Chamberlind and Frank Muller, five guys who spend some of their free time making sure the cross-country trails in town are in tip-top shape. They're all part of the Capital Ski and Outing Club, best known for hosting the annual ski and skate sale, the club's big fundraiser for the year. Those funds are used, in part, to pay for the equipment necessary for trail grooming.
From what I gathered during a recent meeting with Frank Muller and Bill Mitchell, president of the Capital Ski and Outing Club, that includes a utility snowmobile to pull the snow-grooming apparatus.
The club owns 4 groomers and 3 drags that are serviceable, but aging. They hope to eventually raise money to purchase new equipment that will create better trails and help extend the season, such as a Rototiller-like device to fluff up the snow and, if fortune smiles on them, a snow-making machine.
Frank said he might spend about 45 minutes every other day maintaining trails, but after a big storm, it takes about 15 hours to groom the trails. There's also quite bit of prep work at the beginning of the season – one section of trails goes through a corn field, and the stalks have to be knocked down. Being a smart man, Frank gets the high school team to help out with this task. Volunteers also clear downed trees and smooth out trail surfaces.
Now, if you're like me, and you spend most of the winter holed up indoors, you may not have noticed the network of trails around town. You might also be unsure as to what cross-country skiing is in the first place, aside from a sport that requires you to strap giant-size Popsicle sticks to your feet. Fear not, reader, you are not alone.
Thankfully, Frank and Bill had some advice to share.
What cross-country trails?
Glad you asked. The club currently maintains three miles of trails at Carter Hill Orchard, 73 Carter Hill Road, where you'll also find cross-country ski rentals. The rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and payment is by donation. Suggested fees ($10 for skis, boots and poles for a full day, $5 for a half day) are posted. It's recommended that you place the boots by the floor heater of your car to warm them up.
Frank warns that Carter Hill may be a bit difficult for the beginner due to the hills. For newbies, he suggests hitting the trails at White Farm.
White Farm features about two and a half miles of multi-use trails (for walkers and snowshoers) and four miles of cross-country trails. The trails, off Clinton Street, run through Memorial Field, state and city land and some private land. There's an entrance to the trails at Memorial Field, just past the ticket booth.
For additional locations, we turn to Insider publisher/cross-country skier Danielle Kronk. Here's an excerpt from a vintage Insider article (circa 2007) she wrote about skiing trails:
“Beaver Meadow Golf Course isn't groomed anymore, but that doesn't mean you can't ski – just stay off the greens and tees (the roped areas). Rollins and White parks aren't groomed, but they're good, level places to learn. And after a snowstorm, hit the streets of Concord for a more urban experience. Before they're plowed, that is.”
“Many of the city trails are good for cross-country skiing, including Mast Yard State Forest, Lehtinen, Spears Park, Sewalls Falls, the Forest Society and some Oak Hill trails. Note: We've also heard that good snow turns the I-89 bike path into a ski paradise. And when Great Turkey Pond is frozen, it makes for a lovely, solitary glide.”
What do I do again?
Another great question! The first thing you should know is that there are two styles of cross-country skiing. There's classic, where you shuffle along in skis on track-like depressions in the snow, and skate skiing, which uses shorter skis along a smooth trail about six to eight feet wide. Frank likened skate skiing to walking on a pond in hockey skates. (This method is also the more speedy of the two.) In most cases, the trails maintained by the club are groomed to accommodate both styles of skiing.
Your ski poles, says Bill and Frank, should be shoulder height, and when you put on your boots, you should be able to slide a $1 bill between the boot and the ski – otherwise you don't have the right size.
Bill said he sees people on their lunch break on the trails. Apparently those are the folks who agree with his wintertime philosophy: If you don't get outside and enjoy the season, winter feels much longer. (I'm happy to report that I received no accusatory glances while he said this.) Frank added that it doesn't feel like you're in Concord when you're out on the trails – it's like leaving town without driving anywhere. (Or maybe pretending you live up north, then coming to your senses. Seriously, it's cold up there.)
If you're interested in making a donation to the Capital Ski and Outing Club, you can mail it to P.O. Box 3906, Concord, NH 03302-3906. There are also mailboxes set up along the trails with pre-addressed envelopes. For more information on the club or about the Carter Hill equipment rentals, call Bill at 228-8493 or e-mail capitalski@comcast.net.
