Can't Stop, Won't Stop

It's no surprise to anyone who spent any time at the Pass this year; there was a LOT of snow!  It made for terrific skiing, but it also meant super-groomer Nick spent a lot of time whipping it into shape, and the grooming budget ran dry by the middle of March.  It would have really been a shame to have to stop groomed skiing with all that delicious snow still on the ground, so Kongsbergers partnered with a local nonprofit to set up a go-fund-me type donation system that brought in enough money to extend Nick's grooming until the end of March.  BIG thank you to everyone who contributed!

(Rune's photo)

But there was still plenty of snow, and plenty of skiers wanting to ski, so Kongsbergers stepped up again and, along with a contribution from one of our sponsors, paid for Nick to continue grooming for the first two weekends of April.  Skiing in April is just a treat, and evidently a lot of people thought so, as evidenced by the parking lot one Saturday in April!

(Rune's photo)

Since Nick's grooming finally stopped in the middle of April, KSC members have slapped the track sled onto the snowmobile and continued to set tracks these last couple of weeks in April.  The snow is getting thin and dirty now, but wow, what a season this has been!

Looking ahead, Rune and Nick are putting the finishing touches on the application for next year's grooming funding, asking for a substantial increase to cover full grooming all the way to the end of March.  Anyone who skied at Cabin Creek or Erling Stordahl this winter can vouch for the incredible demand for grooming, and 300 skiers have emailed State Parks to voice their support for this increase in funding -- another BIG thank you to everyone who took the time to do that!  We'll keep you posted on the outcome of this summer's WRAC meeting, where funding is allocated.  Keep your fingers crossed, for both another gorgeous La Nina winter -- let it snow! -- and plenty of money for Nick to work his magic.

And while we're handing out thank yous, a very gigantic thank you goes to Nick for his mega-efforts this winter, and the beautiful skiing he gave us!  The lion sleeps tonight.