This morning, seeing the snow pack in the woods and wishing for new powder, I was reminded of the many hours I’ve spent skiing on the Tug Hill Plateau.  There are times when I wish, for skiing purposes, that I had moved from Vermont back to upstate New York. While they have not had their usual dumping of snow yet, there'll be a lot before long from Lake Ontario, the generator of the Tug Hill snow.

The snow-making prowess of Tug Hill is well-known to XC skiers, snowmobilers, drivers who run the gauntlet on I-81 from Syracuse to Watertown, and of course, to the hardy souls who live there.  All it takes is a westerly wind, an unfrozen Lake Ontario, and the gentle uplift of the plateau and prodigious dumps of snow are possible.  For example, several years ago, the National Weather Service reported that the Town of Parish had received 100 inches (more than 2.5 meters) of snow over a seven day span, while the village of Redfield received 141 inches (more than 3.5 meter) of snow over a ten day span.  It’s not uncommon to be skiing or driving under blue skies and suddenly run into a whiteout.
Much of the land on Tug Hill is public forest.  Local volunteer groups, funds permitting, groom and set tracks but many of the trails are multi-use. I broke into XC ski racing here, several decades ago, at an event called the “Try-It”, which aptly describes the “come on up and try the snow” atmosphere of Tug Hill skiing and ski racing.  This years freestyle race is January 16, 2010.  The premier ski race each year is the Winona Forest Tourathon, a true citizens race using traditional technique.  This year's event, in 12.5k, 25k, & 37.5k lengths, is scheduled for March 6th. (Registration is limited to 175 skiers for safety so register early.)  The terrain at Tug Hill is relatively easy with no hair-raising vertical drops.  And you’ll always find snow -- lots of it.  (Note:  One option for groomed trails and good skiing is the Osceola Tug Hill Ski Center.)

Accommodations are rather limited but there are several lodges and motels.  Salmon fishing is also popular so they may be filled with salmon anglers.  Watertown and Syracuse have many options and relatively close by.  

Like most skiing done away from ski centers, you never quite know what you’ll find for  trail grooming or track setting (it’s all volunteer) until you get there.  It’s smart to bring several pairs of skis, if you skate and ski traditional, and not worry that the the trails are not manicured.  You very well may meet snowmobilers on the wide trails, or get passed, as I have, by teams of sled dogs training for their upcoming races.  What you will find at Tug Hill is solitude, interesting but gentle terrain for skiing, and lots of snow.  Why not Try-It?

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I’m cruising down the ski trail behind by my dog Penny -- the rope between us is taut and her ears and my ski poles are flying in the breeze.  The Karhu’s sing as they skim along the snow --the Vizsla and the skier partners in an effortless Vermont skijouring run.  That’s the image I keep visualizing.

But then, a red squirrel crosses the path and with a lurch, we’re headed out through the pines at breakneck speed.  Or, Penny stops abruptly to investigate a fresh deer poop and we collide in a tangle of harness and ski poles.  That’s the scenario my spouse, kids, and anyone who knows Penny visualizes.

Yet, skijouring is a sport that has intrigued me for years.   I am a decent XC skier and have a strong energetic Vizsla who is always ready to run so it seems, on the surface, like a good mix.  A good mix for disaster.  Penny’s training is not exactly ready for prime-time.

Skijouring involves one or more dogs hitched to a cross-country skier by a rope.  The skier wears a belt harness and the whole rig can be purchased for about $200-275 US.  Skiers use either diagonal stride or in the cases of races, skate technique.  You very well may have to help out the dog on the uphills and slow down to avoid overrunning on the downhills.  Many of the commands for sled dog racing are used and you are advised to train on foot before snow falls.  Most any medium-sized to large dog can be used if they like to run.  They respond to voice commands (that’s a problem for us) and should be socialized with other dogs (another problem).  Here are some training techniques and commands.

We were watching a special on Vermont Public Television recently where a reporter tried it out and actually competed in a low-key race up north.  It looked like fun but the dog she “borrowed” was well-trained and patient.  When she fell, he waited quietly instead of, like my dog, coming over to lick you and get tangled up in ski gear.

So, I guess I need to practice my gees and haws with my red dog.  I know she’d love it - she loves running alongside the bicycle with a Springer attachment.  So for now, I will just visualize skijouring with Penny.  Now, if I could just get her to visualize pulling in a straight line, responding to verbal commands, we’d be all set.  Perhaps this winter.

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For cross-country skiers living in the Northeast or Midwest, December can be a fickle month with temptations of snow cover followed by thaws.  This year has been that way -- a warm wet November gave us good running and roller skiing weather.  A minor snowstorm a few days ago has coated the ground and got our juices flowing, but there's been no freeze and the trails are wet and muddy under the white stuff, and it will melt away.

I should know by now that real XC skiing normally starts in January, and that early outings on rock skis can be very frustrating as ice and mud coats the bottoms.  Yet, out is out and even on a little snow, it's better than running.

 So we wait, impatiently.  Skis are down from storage -- perhaps cleaned up although that usually is a last minute deal -- and folks trek into the high country to find snow.  Or drive to Canada. Or fly to Alaska.

For those of us who "ski local," we know that before long, there will be some wonderful "green wax/ blue skies" days where in our euphoria over the great conditions, soon forget the frustrating days of December.

Bring it on, Snow Gods!  We're ready.

photo by Don_Wright

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You can now register for the 2010 Craftsbury Marathon -- one of the East's premier nordic races, which will be held January 25th, 2010.  With 50k or 25k options, you can either race it or tour it -- and experience some wonderful trails, breath-taking views, and down-home Vermont hospitality.  From their website:

"The 50k or 25k race offers competitors a mass start, timed challenge over a 25k loop course. This year, racers will be grouped in waves according to gender, race category and age group to allow for a less congested start to the racing. Feed stations every 4 to 7 kilometers dot the well-groomed route. After the finish, all participants are treated to a hearty post race meal and awards. The top racer in each 5 year class is awarded a locally handcrafted pottery bowl. Special pins will be awarded to second and third places. 2010 offers interested competitors the opportunity to compete in several events leading up to the marathon - including the Craftsbury Dash for Cash, a 200m sprint competition to determine the winner of a $1000 purse!...

Like to enjoy the scenery with a little less blur? Or perhaps wanting to share the event with your children? The Tour offers participants the opportunity to enjoy the same beautiful vistas and high quality groomed tracks as the speedy crowd in a lower stress environment. No timing also means that you also have time to sample items from local restaurants and delis. Highland Lodge's David and Willie Smith have been hosts for a start line breakfast banquet of fresh juice, coffee, bagels and a variety of delicious home made muffins from 7:00 AM until the start..."

This is one of my favorite locations to cross-country ski and the new non-profit owners have set very reasonable prices.  They get early snow, the grooming is top-notch, and the terrain is very skiable.  

For racers, an added attraction this year is that the marathon, and an earlier mid-week 10k, are national Masters championship events.

photo from Craftsbury website

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