OP Legacy: Marlboro Nordic Ski Club
Dear Alumni Community,
After an exhausting year of permutations, I thought a bit of heartening news would be appreciated. The locals here in Marlboro have seen what a beautiful winter we Nordic enthusiasts have been having. Embellished by a new enterprise guided by the steady hand of alum Spencer Knickerbocker.
This winter marks the inaugural year of the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club, a new non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Nordic skiing and the maintenance of the trail network formerly tended by Marlboro College. The club--made possible through a generous partnership with Democracy Builders, the new owners of the campus--is maintaining 10 miles of groomed Nordic trails, including a new, professionally designed and constructed 2.5 kilometer loop that is groomed for skate skiing. The club loans children's equipment for day use several days a week, and offers instruction and youth racing through the Bill Koch Youth Ski League.
Membership to the club is open to all: $50 for an individual; $100 for a family. Membership, along with the signing of the Democracy Builders liability waiver (available on the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club website), is required for the use of those portions of the trail network that exist on the former college campus. The club, however, is grooming the entire South Pond loop and possibly the perimeter of the pond itself. Fees cover the running and maintenance of grooming equipment, liability insurance, loaner skis, and instruction.
Trail access is at the college soccer field at 2582 South Road, Marlboro, Vermont and parking is provided in the dirt lot on the south side of South Road, just across the street from Persons Auditorium and the field. A kiosk on the north side of the road, just south of the soccer field, directs skiers to the trailhead. Please be aware that the Democracy Builders campus is closed to the public due to COVID-19 and they are very generous in allowing us to operate their trails. We ask the club members be respectful of their wishes to keep their students and staff healthy and we can do this by accessing the trail network at the designated points, parking where directed, and staying on the trail network when on campus.
The club — funded entirely through membership and donation — is excited that robust participation in this first year will help to ensure that the trails remain open and well-maintained for Nordic skiers of all ages and abilities well into the future. Please note that if you or your family cannot afford the fees and need assistance you can reach out and we will accommodate you.
To join the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club and sign the Democracy Builders liability release, please visit https://www.marlboronordicskiclub.com/membership and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarlboroNordicSkiClub for daily trail conditions and updates. Nordic skiing offers an opportunity for individuals to enjoy nature and engage in a socially distanced activity when performed safely. Similar to precautions taken during the summer when hiking, if the state guidelines are followed, we can enjoy a safe winter on the trail system. We have plenty of snow!
So, sign up online to partake in some COVID safe winter fun. Or, if so moved, join the "club" from afar to insure the future of this Marlboro College and OP legacy!
Plans are afoot to host the Wendell-Judd Cup once COVID complications have passed next year.
In growth & learning,
Randy Knaggs ‘93
On behalf of the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club Board of Directors
marlboronordicskiclub@gmail.com
Spencer Knickerbocker, Executive Director
Mimi Brill
Peter Johnson
Lauren Beigel MacArthur
Lee Todd
Justin White-Chandler
Randy Knaggs
Diana Whitney
© Philip Belena. This is NOT the Marlboro trail system. It is actually in Lake Placid, NY. But what a lovely image of someone enjoying skiing on a snowy woodland trail.