Gliding along: North Fork Park adds new building, programs

NICK SHORT/Standard-Examiner

Marsha Rasmussen, of Eden, cross-country skis at North Fork Park in Eden.

Story by Jeff DeMoss

Standard-Examiner staff

January 5, 2011

EDEN — Big things are happening at what has become one of Utah’s premier venues for cross-country skiing and other outdoor winter activities that don’t involve riding a lift.

Ogden Valley’s North Fork Park has long been a favorite for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and just getting outdoors during the colder months.

“It’s just so peaceful out here in the woods during the wintertime,” said John Ferguson, who has brought his cross-country skis to North Fork Park several times in recent years. “It’s amazing to have these nice, groomed trails out here.”

Look at the recent addition of a new building; new partnerships between local groups; a new, expert coach; and new classes and training programs for youth, and it’s plain to see there’s a lot going on at North Fork right now.

A new home base

The volunteers from Ogden Nordic, the nonprofit group that grooms the North Fork trails and helps maintain the park, were racing to beat the snow as they completed a new Nordic Center building in the park shortly before winter weather arrived.

The installation of the center is the result of several years of planning discussions between the U.S. Forest Service, Weber County Parks, Ogden Nordic, and RAMP.

The structure was donated to Ogden Nordic by the Forest Service. Originally constructed as a demonstration building to showcase the use of small-diameter forestry products during the 2002 Winter Olympics, it has since gone unused.

“The local ranger district desired to see this building put into public service near the mountains, but never found a suitable use, said Terry Davis, president of Ogden Nordic. “So we approached them with our concept to use it as a Nordic Center in the winter, and visitor’s center in the summer. They liked the idea, so we brought it to Weber County for approval.”

For now, it will be used only in the winter, but that could change, Davis said.

The building, now called the O’ Nordic Center, serves as a warming hut and gathering place for the ski and snowshoe community.

Among other amenities, free hot chocolate and cider are available for the season, compliments of Ogden Nordic, for users who pay trail fees to glide along more than 15 miles of groomed trails within the park.

Davis said there is also a limited cache of cross country gear for people to try out when they visit. One goal, he said is to accumulate more equipment for visitors to take advantage of.

“We would like to increment this stock to accommodate more users,” he said. “We are seeking donations of used snowshoes and skis for the center. Our goal is to be able to help people get out and enjoy winter, even if they don’t own their own gear.”

For now, the center is open Thursday through Sunday. It can occasionally open during other weekdays as well, depending upon use and volunteer greeters.

Ogden Nordic is the local chapter of The Utah Nordic Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to cross-country skiing in Utah. While it has taken the lead on the Nordic center project, Davis attributes the progress at the park to a number of volunteers, contractors and corporate sponsors that have helped bring the project along.

“We could not do it without them,” he said.

Partners in powder

Ogden Nordic marked another sign of progress before this ski season when it announced the formation of a partnership with the Ogden Valley Winter Sports Foundation, a group that trains and fields local youth ski teams in competitions throughout the western states, to improve and rebuild a juniors cross country skiing program in Weber County.

The foundation has achieved considerable success and notoriety with its downhill programs, with several of its young skiers winning races last season, said Jeff Harrison, board president for the foundation.

The new partnership with Ogden Nordic will help put the foundation’s Nordic programs on par with its downhill programs, Harrison said.

Davis said it helps just to have another organization with an interest in preserving trails and recreation in the area on board.

“This partnership is in alignment with our desire to work with other organizations to make good things happen for Ogden Valley Recreation, cross country skiing, and trails in general,” he said. “We have been successful partnering with other organizations, such as Weber County Parks, Ogden Valley Pathways, and the Back Country Horsemen, and expect this to be no different,” said Davis.

There is plenty of synergy between the two groups in terms of vision, strengths, and gaps in the organizations, Davis added.

“The Ogden Valley Winter Sports Foundation brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and infrastructure to administering and managing junior ski programs, so this is a huge opportunity for us,” he said.

As a small, all-volunteer organization, he said Ogden Nordic at times has found it difficult effectively manage a youth program along with creating and managing a venue.

This year the two organizations will have the added strength of the new Nordic Center and several new trail connections.

“By working together, our organizations can offer the Weber County a solid foundation for a top rate cross country program,” Davis said.

Expert tutelage

Another factor creating a buzz for the revival of competitive cross-country teams is the hiring of Graham Stromberg as head coach for the 2010-11 juniors cross country program.

Stromberg, a native of North Ogden, has raced throughout the intermountain region, including a trip to the U.S. Junior Nationals. He has been on and around skis since he was a toddler.

“It is very difficult to find a coach of this caliber, experience, and dedication,” Davis said. “ The kids and families will really enjoy Graham’s approach and personality.”

Stromberg and Ogden Nordic will offer a cross section of programs for skiers young and old.

First, they will hold a “Learn to Ski” program on the last four Saturdays of this month, beginning with this Saturday. This program is oriented to both first-time and beginning skiers and is designed to foster enjoyment of the sport. It will be open to skiers age 7 and up, and costs $30 for four, 1.5-hour sessions.

In addition, Ogden Nordic is exploring an after school ski program with Valley Elementary. The idea is to bring the skiing to the school during the week and enable the youngsters to experience how much fun it can be to play on skis. The program is planned for the period immediately following the school day, one day per week.

A third program will be a “Development Program” offered to ages 8-17. This program will help skiers develop fundamental cross country skills while exposing them to a broader range of trails, experiences, and exercise. While advancing participants’ skills, this option is seen as a potential springboard for competitive athletes.

The program will be offered two days per week, plus Saturdays. It will run from Late December to March and costs $150.

All of the programs are limited in size and filled on a first come, first served basis.

Davis said there are ongoing discussions taking place between Ogden Nordic and the Ogden Valley Winter Sports Foundation that will lead to improved program planning, participation, administration and coaching.

Saturday marks a golden opportunity for Ogden Nordic and others to show off the new Nordic Center and all the other initiatives under way at North Fork Park.

Winter Trails Day 2011, hosted by Ogden Nordic and Weber Pathways, is a chance for the public to see the new building, try out equipment for free, interact with experienced athletes, experience the trails, and enjoy other activities.

For more information on the event and directions to North Fork Park, visit www.ogdennordic.com.

Winter Trails Day 2011