FYI -- I sent the following to Clare yesterday but not to the list; I
include it here to add to the discussion and am hopefully not being
redundant.--Jim
"A couple comments/suggestions.
First, I agree that skiing conditions comparable to Elver Park are
sorely lacking on the eastside. I live about 3 blocks from Warner Park (on
the northside) and the City abandoned it's grooming efforts there a few
years back as it was often hard to maintain due to open areas that would
drift over regularly. However, grooming on an "as appropriate" schedule
there would have kept a strong skiing option close to home for many people.
This year, for example, all of the snow followed eventually by the crusted
conditions would have held up well, drift-free. Witness our backyards; you
can walk on the snow without breaking through. Having said all of that, it
should be noted that there is lots of area to ski at Warner (and probably
other eastside parks) if one is willing to cut their own course and do
without grooming.
Second, not being able to afford the time necessary to get to Elver
on a regular basis, I ski frequently at Gov. Nelson State Park (again on the
northside of Lake Mendota so maybe not a viable option for you). However,
the scenery there is beautiful and there are some training options (hills)
or easy, flat areas if one prefers. The negatives are that the State Park
System does a really lousy job of grooming there. It took a LONG time
following the December snows for the park to get whipped into relatively
decent shape and they don't do certain trails at all if they consider them
drift-prone. However, people ski these trails and they get decent
eventually from that.
Third, a couple of the county parks south of the beltline might be
another option. I'm thinking of Lake Farm or Lake Kegonsa County Parks.
However, I haven't tried either one to know how good or poor they would be
as alternatives to Elver.
I think part of the problem for those of us on the east or north
sides is a lack of topography that would allow for an Elver-like experience.
However, if there is park land in these areas that could be developed for
xcountry skiing and you mount a lobbying effort toward that end, count me in
for whatever help that I could provide!
I ski a lot too and need suitable training workouts when I can get
them. No where that I'm aware of the east or north sides compare with Elver
Park for that. However, you can get a pretty decent workout at Gov. Nelson.
When I want a truly good workout and have time (weekends or holidays); I
head to Lapham Peak, about 50 minutes drive from the Hwy. 30 (Aberg Avenue)
connection to I90. Lapham offers great hill work for Birkie and other
marathon training.
Please share any areas on the east or north sides not on my list
that your inquiry might turn up.
Good luck and good skiing!
Jim Bolton
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
