Local Nordic ski opportunities abound

Hardly a week goes by without someone asking me what I'm doing for hiking now that it's winter. There certainly are plenty of winter hiking opportunities in and around Sisters, but, frankly, my heart isn't in it. This is supposed to be the time for winter sports. Besides, I prefer the high mountain trails, and those are definitely snowed in.

Knowing that I'm an avid alpine skier, my hiking buddy asked if I was also a cross country skier. I tentatively replied that I was, and plans were made. When she saw my cross country gear, however, she laughed and proclaimed it to be museum quality.

Granted, I picked up my equipment at a garage sale 20 or 30 years ago, but I didn't think it deserved to be so scoffed at. That is, I didn't think so until I began looking at what is actually available today. Today's equipment is a lot better, which I should have suspected since I have kept abreast of advancing downhill ski technology.

I didn't rush out and invest a fortune in new state-of-the-art Nordic equipment; but, as a stop-gap measure, I did pick up some much better used skis at the local pawn shop and made do with the remainder of my relics. Subsequently, we headed out for the winter snow trails.

After a great early snow season, we experienced a January thaw of prodigious proportions. This past week's substantial snowfall, however, has gone a long way toward restoring our winter recreation options. The last few days it's even been possible to ski right out from our doorsteps. Still, some of the lower-elevation ski trails remain marginal. So, for our most recent outing, we headed for a sure thing: Hoodoo's groomed Nordic trail system.

Now, I should probably explain that, when I claimed to be a Nordic skier, I wasn't exactly fibbing; but, my experience is pretty limited. Specifically, it's been limited to flat terrain. And I can honestly say that I did just fine on the flat, and even going uphill. Going downhill, however, was an entirely different matter.

You'd think that a downhill alpine skier ought to be able to ski downhill on Nordic skis. As I quickly learned, it doesn't exactly work like that. My friend was supportive and encouraging, but I considered my performance to be less than impressive, if not downright embarrassing.

I later admitted my ineptitude at skiing downhill to other Nordic skiers. To my surprise, they were all pretty sympathetic and tended to laughingly say something to the effect of, "Well, of course, you had problems going downhill. We all do."

What I also learned is that a lot of these so-called Nordic skiers are "cheaters." Some varieties of Nordic skis are now available with metal edges, which greatly facilitate turning. Some of these edged skis are a little wider than traditional touring skis, and some are not that different in appearance from my alpine downhill skis. I think those are the ones I want.

So far, I've been out on cross country skis three times this year; although I'm not sure if I get credit for the two that were on essentially flat ground. In spite of the more challenging aspect of the hilly sections, I really enjoyed getting out in the woods up at Hoodoo.

Sno-Park permits are not required at Hoodoo's ample parking lots. Then there is the beautiful warm lodge and dining opportunities. Nordic ski tickets are a lot cheaper than alpine tickets; and, about half of the time, tickets are not required at all for Hoodoo's Nordic trails.

You heard me right, mid-week is usually free!

Hoodoo's general manager, Matthew McFarland, said that Hoodoo actually has two trail systems; one starts from the lodge, and the other takes off from the top of the Manzanita Chair.

"The lower trail has about 8.5 kilometers and the upper trail 12.5," he said.

"The upper trail is really nice, with a long figure-eight and a little more ups and downs. It's a lot of fun. It's peaceful and beautiful up there," he said. "The upper trail is groomed (Friday to Sunday and holiday Mondays) but does not have touring tracks

laid down like the lower trail."

The Forest Service reports good snow conditions at Upper Three Creek Sno-Park (milepost 11 at the snow gate), with nearly all new snow in the last week; but grooming has been ongoing. At Lower Three Creek (milepost 8), the snow is all new in the last week. Both report low snow hazards, but snow has been continuing to pile up.

The McKenzie Pass parking area, seven miles west of Sisters on Highway 242, is an undeveloped free site, but there are no marked Nordic trails in the area. Beyond the snow gate, however, many skiers use the road itself.

Corbett Sno-Park, 16 miles west of Sisters on Highway 20, has been closed due to continual vandalism, marginal snow, and budgetary limitations. Benson Sno-Park at the summit of Santiam Pass is open and has extensive access to Nordic trails.

Weather conditions are constantly changing and they change fast. Always travel with plenty of warm clothing, food, water and emergency equipment.