The BNC spends May through late August or September at its Scandinavian summer house picking wild berries, having long lunches followed by naps, and then leisurely dinners in the evening. The summer retreat is separated from the world by three ferry rides and does not have internet which is why this e-newsletter is delayed reaching your inbox.
Some things that simmer on the back burner of the BNC’s to-do list include the following.
- A fleet of skis with integrated bindings that fit typical snow boots for 5 to 8 year-olds. The skis will be lent for free out of two retail partners’ stores who have generously offered to partner in this service. Details to follow in the autumn.
- More social skiing opportunities. After a long hiatus without regular social skiing opportunities via the BNC, it’s great to see this coming back. Thanks to Edward Morey and his patient persistence on this.
- A fundraising campaign for a trailer for the CU South grooming rig. This campaign will be similar to but smaller than the previous and successful campaign to buy the grooming equipment for CU South. The goal is to solve problems around storage, transport, and operations at CU South.
- A follow-up on the survey the BNC performed and what, if anything, the responses and data signify.
- The BNC’s membership system is switching to an October to October annual membership. Think of it as a season pass. See https://bouldernordic.org/become-a-member/
- Two potential pilot grooming sites. Each site is a place where the BNC intends to perform a demonstration groom in hopes of handing grooming off to another entity. Patience is required on these projects, they take time.
- Checking in with Eldora in order to learn about its new ownership.
Everybody on this page deserves a thank you, https://bouldernordic.org/about/. Without excluding others from praise, Stu Stuller and Ann Rhodes played a small but crucial role helping the BNC this past season. Al Bol made time in his schedule for yet more meetings, meetings that can often feel like watching paint dry. Chris Sachs is new to the board and he, like Joel Kimmel, is a tribute to the typical values of his Upper-Midwestern/Minnesota roots. They both ask what they as individuals can do for their community and roll up their sleeves to do that work with mindful regard for their collaborators and without fanfare. Clark Edwards has been around a long time and his calm, reasoned voice measurably lowers my heart rate at board meetings. That means that I’ve been around a long time too and newer folks like Ingrid Alongi and Kyle Kuczun make me think that if the ferries stop running and I get stranded at the summer retreat, the BNC will be just fine without me.
I was skiing with a friend in April and my friend commented that it seems as though some people are unable not to ski. They achieve unique meaning and release in the activity. Besides wondering anxiously if my friend was talking about me, I realized that I observe all sorts of skiers who demonstrate all sorts of reasons for skiing. Skiing is part of who they want to be. I think this is why we all continue to put energy into the BNC. Thanks for supporting the BNC and have a great summer with happy trails followed by shared, joyful, and long meals.
Matt Muir
