Tag Archive for: programs for senior skiers

Roger Lohr

Developing Golf Course Ski Trails

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New Revenue Source For Those Beautiful Fairways.

Snowmaking at a golf course? When it is too cold to play golf, might as well ski. Credit: Nordic Group International

Cross country (XC) skiers hit a hole-in-one once their local golf course, which has been converted to an XC ski area, is covered in snow. Golf courses are ideal for XC skiing as they are often easier than other trail networks for skiers, and they provide easy access to people looking for a convenient winter excursion. And now, Nordic Group International (NGI) will pay $500 for a referral of a golf course that is interested in developing winter recreation such as tubing and cross country (XC) ski operations (and becomes a client of NGI). There are currently more than 170 golf courses in North America that have groomed XC ski trails.

Jonathan Wiesel of NGI wrote an article for Golf Course Management Magazine in 2009, and he is now putting his money where his mouth is.  That is, he is looking to help golf courses in snow regions develop winter operations. Why would a golf course facility want to add winter activities? The opportunity includes increased revenue, maintaining staff positions, providing community recreation, providing winter amenities for existing or prospective property owners, and so on.

A gold course in winter is a perfect setting for xc skiing, and perfect for seniors who prefer gentle slopes. Credit: Nordic Group International

Profitable winter operations could include XC skiing, tubing, sledding, snowshoeing, fat biking, sleigh rides, dog sledding, ice skating, food and beverage sales, lodging, and special events such as winter weddings and meetings. NGI has teamed up with the SE Group (an premier mountain/outdoor planning firm) to offer services such as feasibility studies, planning and design, snowmaking and lighting, tubing/snowplay layout, turf management strategies, construction oversight and marketing planning.

While such an operation makes sense in a region where it snows regularly during the winter, having a snowmaking operation would guarantee favorable snow conditions. Regular programming can extend the operating season at both ends to increase revenue from early and late season activity. Additionally, lighting the trails will attract skiers and tubers that are unable to visit during the daylight hours.

Such a winter operation would work well in an area that is a major population center, but it also allows resort destinations to take advantage of the winter season. The capital investment for an operation would involve variables such as site topography, extent of existing infrastructure and facilities and the size and orientation of the market. With as little as four-six inches of snow, a winter operation could be launched.

The golf course winter operation is not a pipe dream. Successful winter trail facilities have been in existence across the continent for many years in places such as Woodstock Resort, VT, Sun Valley, ID, Bretton Woods, NH, Weston, MA, Garland Resort, MI, Calgary, AB, Bozeman, MT, and in Breckenridge, Aspen and Steamboat in CO. For more info, contact the trails and land planning consultant at www.nordicgroupinternational.com.

Claire Walter

Eldora’s Front Range Gang Is A Model Senior Skier Program

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Here’s An Another Area-Sponsored Program For Senior Skiers.

Eldora's Front Range Gang is another model senior-focused program. Other ski areas: Are you paying attention? Credit: Eldora Resort

Eldora’s Front Range Gang is another senior-focused program. Other ski areas: Are you paying attention?
Credit: Eldora Resort

Anyone who lives in or visits Boulder in winter has absolutely no excuse not to ski Eldora Mountain Resort, not really a resort with lodging but a simple ski area under the brow of the Continental Divide, is just 21 miles west of town. There’s no need to drive, since scheduled RTD buses depart from downtown station, stop at the park-and-ride lot in the heart of downtown Nederland and then drop passengers and their gear off right in front of the Main Lodge, with return service – of course. Fares are half-price for ages 65-plus.

Eldora’s Front Range Gang is a popular program for skiers aged 50 and over. It is offered from 9 a.m. to 12 noon every Monday and Thursday in February and March. Alpine, telemark and Alpine touring gear is welcome. And cross-county skiers are welcome at the Nordic area, which shares base facilities with Alpine skiers.

Each Front Range Gang day includes a three-hour guided group session on a choice of green, blue or black terrain,

City bus from downtown Boulder to Eldora is super convenient. Credit: Eldora Resort

City bus from downtown Boulder to Eldora is super convenient.
Credit: Eldora Resort

helpful tips and liftline priority access – though in truth, except when Boulder Valley schools are out, you’ll never find a line. Cost is $40 per day, $99 for a one-month package and $189 for two months – too late for 2015, but keep it in mind for next winter.

[Editor’s Note: What other ski area/resort sponsored programs do readers know about?  We’d love to create a directory for our readership.  Please let us know.]