Nordic ski centers can be quiet as a tomb on weekdays, but
Mt. Van Hoevenberg, site of the cross-country races in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, was a beehive of activity and a very happening place when I stopped by yesterday for a few hours.

The Lake Placid, NY, area is the first stop on my westward Odyski. And yesterday was the first time I've schussed in the Empire State.

I'm staying at the Bark Eater Inn, which is owned by Joe-Pete Wilson, a pioneer of the cross-country ski industry. Joe-Pete was an Olympic racer himself -- 1960 at Squaw Valley -- and he was the site manager at Mt. Van during the 1980 Winter Games.

Due to Mt. Van's lack of snow, only about 40 percent of the total trail mileage was open -- and only 15 kilometers were tracked -- but the grooming was excellent. And there was no shortage of skiers.

The first ones I noticed were the noisiest -- lots of happy kids.

The program is called Trailmarkers and Pathfinders, and it introduces third-graders to cross-country skiing. Dozens of kids from the town of Fort Anne were led by half a dozen volunteer instructors. Lessons, trail passes, rental equipment, instruction and a snack are all free!

Program coordinator Barbara Dayton told me that they have about a thousand childen involved!

Third-grade kids get six weeks of free lessons, equipment rental, instruction and snacks at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, site of the nordic races in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

With all the kids learning to ski, Mt. Van Hoevenberg was a happening place yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

There were also older students: young men and women from several colleges. Several biathlon teams were training at the nearby course and range.

And the Snowboomers, Mt. Van's program for senior skiers. About a dozen were present yesterday; they headed out on the trail for a two hour lesson.

The Snowboomers pose for the Ski Bum's camera yesterday at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Plus there were a bunch of regular folks like myself, who simply showed up to ski a few miles.

Nettie Hauk, of Rochester, NY, slides and glides along the trails at Mt. Van Hoevenberg yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

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