Another Season Comes to a Close
The Worst Part
An unfortunate fact about cross-country ski and snowshoe season is that it comes to a close too dang quick. There you are, flying down Bronze Trail, and a few days later spring temps make it impossible to keep grooming, or at least get the groomer up to higher elevations where the snow is still holding. While the season might seem short, there is a lot going on behind the scenes year-round to make it possible for us to enjoy our outdoor passions.
Behind the Scenes
First and foremost, kudos to the groomers. They head out each night onto the trails just after closing to take that messy, skied-upon snow and abracadabra make it into pristine corduroy again. Or if it’s snowing, they head out early in the morning, needing to beat the anxious skiers and provide a pathway through the new layer of white stuff. “We receive numerous comments about how great the grooming is,” says Executive Director Ben Grasseschi. Before and after the season, they do machine maintence and servicing to get ready for whenever the snow flies next.
Back at the lodge there are folks shoveling snow, hauling wood, working the cash registers, waxing skis, selling clothing, organizing and renting gear, and providing lessons. They also field a steady string of calls and questions from all those first-time, cross-country skiers and snowshoers, some of whom are surprised to learn that there are no chair lifts. And all the while following strict and ever-changing Covid-19 safety guidelines this year.
“It was rough around Christmas, but they stuck with it and made it happen. I’m very happy and grateful for each of them,” said Grasseschi of the Tahoe XC staff.
There are also many administrative duties performed by Grasseschi and Program Coordinator Lianne Nall: from purchasing gear, filling out the multitude upon multitude of forms needed to run a business in California, keeping an eye on all those pesky youth programs like Devo and Strider Gliders, and a list of other daily tasks that perhaps seems endless.
Before and after ski season, there is year-round upkeep on the trails, lodge, parking lot, equipment and machinery…It’s a never-ending to do list, but that’s what makes Tahoe XC operate as smoothly as it does.
There's a Board of Directors
Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association (TCCSEA) is a nonprofit run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors who supervise operations and ensure that both Tahoe XC and TCCSEA continue to exist as a recreation area and a nonprofit that provide quality and affordable opportunities for kids and adults. Board members make the tough decisions on how to move the organizations forward, as well as put in a lot of long hours helping the ski area run more smoothly. Learn more about our Board of Directors here.
Our Guests Make Our Community
Of course, one of the most important parts of the equation and what makes Tahoe XC tick are the skiers and snowshoers who use the trails. Whether it is the season pass holders who find Tahoe XC to be their most essential place to escape in the winter, those who come for just a day or two, the staff and volunteers who brighten the trails and lodge with their smiles, or the youth program participants who can be heard laughing and speeding through the trees, you all help make Tahoe XC what it is.
Preparing for What's Next
The best way to continue to support Tahoe XC and TCCSEA is to purchase your Early Bird Season Pass pre-season, which helps ensure that operations are ready to go the moment the snow flies next year.
Donations are a major source of funding that allow us to offer affordable, free, and accessible youth programs all year long. Thanks to your donations, our youth programs serve an average of 2,000 kids each year, and we have big plans to expand our reach and encourage even more kids who may not otherwise have access to the outdoor recreational activities we support.
Thank you for making this another fantastic season and for your continued support.