a more welcoming, more efficient way of conveying information.” The Town Trailhead will have another new feature – an obstacle course set up in the Spring Creek Ranch loop near the suspension bridge. Designed mainly for kids, it will be something like a ski equivalent of a pump track for bicycles, challenging skiers to get through the course with their own momentum. MVSTA has always prided itself on excellent grooming, and a newly purchased Pisten Bully 100 snow cat is expected to “produce a higher quality product on the trail,” DeSalvo said. “It will feel different underfoot if you are a connoisseur of corduroy.” He said the machine, which will be used in the Winthrop and Mazama areas, makes more grooves and a slightly narrower depth. The new groomer was acquired through a $100,000 no-interest loan through the Okanogan County Electric Cooperative’s revolving loan fund. The co-op awarded the loan to MVSTA because of its significant economic and community impact, DeSalvo said.
is hoping to attract more families and cultivate a new generation of skiers – which in the long run means a more sustainable financial future for MVSTA. This approach is a key aspect of the organization’s long-term strategy, which is summarized in the phrase, “trails for life,” DeSalvo said. It was that forward-looking strategy that helped MVSTA win a $50,000 endowment grant in October from the Community Foundation of North Central Washington. The endowment grant provides MVSTA a permanent fund at the Community Foundation that will provide an annual income. As the fund grows through gifts and investment, so will income, providing sustainability and impacting the community long-term. In its application for the endowment, MVSTA noted that trails contributed an estimated $13.5 million to the local economy during the 2011/2012 season. That was
we have – we are putting more resources there rather than into the 50 to 100 people we get at any one event,” DeSalvo explained. A new program that fits this approach is the “200 Kilometer Challenge.” Skiers are invited to ski every trail in the MVSTA system, or their favorites over and over, and keep a tally of the kilometers skied. When skiers achieve 200 kilometers (on the honor system), they add their names to a list of “Trail Champions” on the MVSTA website and can then be entered into drawings for trips and prizes. The first drawing will be on Jan. 26 at the Methow Nordic Festival Party at the Winthrop Barn, and the second drawing will be on March 9 in Mazama at the End of Season Ski-Off. The Nordic Festival is a new weekend-long celebration of skiing Jan. 25-27. MVSTA is encouraging skiers to introduce friends to the sport by offering free skiing, rental packages, shuttles, clinics, grooming machine rides and trailhead activities. The weekend includes tours, family activities Kids ski free and races, includIn a move deing the Methow signed to attract Drawing courtesy of MVSTA Valley Pursuit, more families to New kiosks will be placed at two trailheads. the valley’s signathe Methow Valture ski race. This ley, MVSTA has a new policy the highest trail use recorded, winter the Pursuit offers a allowing anyone under 18 to with 45,000 skier days and new category – a Skate Relay ski for free. “We’re leading an estimated 45,000 summer Team – to encourage friends the national standard there. users. and families to put together We were already leading by “Their trail model is teams for the event. permitting 12 and under to ski recognized nationally for The End of Season Skifree. We’re putting a stake in sustaining a vibrant economy Off is another new event the ground, saying, ‘We want and promoting healthy liv- – an informal gathering and to be accessible for families,’” ing,” according to the Com- potluck for skiers, MVSTA DeSalvo said. munity Foundation. staff and volunteers. “We know there are barriers out there for families New happenings Introducing ‘fat bikes’ when they’re making choices MVSTA will launch some Another new developabout how to keep fit, have new programs this winter to ment for the trails this winter fun, without breaking the encourage and engage skiers, will be the introduction, on bank,” he said. “Let’s make it DeSalvo said. At the same a trial basis, of snow biking, as successful as we can for the time, MVSTA has reduced or “fat biking,” on selected family groups and younger its ski races and other events trails. Fat bikes are specially generations.” in order to focus on longer- designed to travel over snow By opening the trails to term interactions with skiers. with oversized tires, some free skiing for kids, MVSTA “The 45,000-plus user days
your adventure BegIns at the end of the road
It’s all waItIng just outsIde your door
Enjoy the fresh air and peaceful seclusion as you glide through spectacular scenery on more than 175 km of groomed Nordic trails. We have a fireplace in every room, cabin and luxury lodge. Relax and enjoy soaking in our steaming outdoor hot tub overlooking Freestone Lake. Join us this winter for trailside cocktails, delicious food and warm hospitality
509.996.3906~ 800.639.3809 • www.freestoneinn.com 31 Early Winters Drive, Mazama, Washington (just 15 miles west of Winthrop)
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Methow Valley Winter 2012/2013
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