XC Q&A with Lee Borowski
Snowmaking takes Midwest ski trails by storm
I've often been asked, what is the most important thing needed to encourage skiing, especially for juniors, in our area? For me, the answer is easy. It isn't great coaching, year-round training, or making an effort to recruit the best runners in the area. The answer is simple: consistent snow.I started a ski team in the '80s at the high school, Brookfield East, and had a fired-up group of young skiers. But guess what?
The first of several low- to no-snow winters hit our area. So I had a group of excited kids with no place to ski. More importantly I was faced with a group (including nonskiing parents) who had spent quite a bit of money on equipment they couldn't put to use locally. After that I personally vowed not to recruit anyone into the sport as the disappointment of a dry winter was too great.
So what we need is consistent snow, and around here that means artificial snow. Last year the Twin Cities were saved by a 3K loop of man-made snow. I talked to a number of Minnesota skiers who claimed they were almost dizzy pounding out the laps, but grateful for the opportunity. There has been a growing trend for Nordic ski areas to make snow for cross-country skiing. Notable
among these are Elm Creek, west of Minneapolis, the Blackhawk Ski Club in Madison, Tyrol Ski Basin west of Madison, Trollhaugen in western Wisconsin, the Kamview Nordic Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Iola Ski Club in north-central Wisconsin, Cross-Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, Michigan, and the Itasca Biathlon Range in Coleraine, Minnesota. As a result, the lucky skiers in those areas have many more available skiing days.
But soon southeastern Wisconsinites will have the same opportunities. This year, perhaps the most skied trail in Wisconsin, Lapham Peak, will start making snow for part of their lighted trail. Long-range plans are to cover the entire 4K lighted loop. Those of you who have skied there know that this trail has great terrain, from tough, long climbs (that can be bypassed) to moderate and flat sections for easy skiing. The lighted 4K
loop probably meets World Cup race specs. I can think of a lot worse fates than having to ski there on a daily basis.
This project should provide a needed boost for junior skiing in Wisconsin.
Almost all skiers know Minnesota has by far the largest and most effective junior and high school program. In fact, most people think they also dominate the citizen racing scene.
On the other hand, more Wisconsin skiers do the Birkie. Last year, for example, 2,945 Wisconsin residents skied the big event compared to 2,036 Minnesotans.
I'm not trying to start firing up more competition there's enough animosity between Packers and Viking fans (which I don't understand as I like to see Minnesota win ... except against Green Bay).
What I'm trying to emphasize is that Wisconsin is a hotbed for adult recreational skiing. And guess where
many of them live? Well, in the greater Milwaukee/southeast Wisconsin area, where recent winters have brought only a few weeks of decent snow.
So the Lapham Peak snow-making project will have a twofold effect. With guaranteed skiing, it will give junior skiing a big shot in the arm. But it will also be a godsend to our many recreational adult skiers.
If the grown-ups take their kids along, the cycle continues. I see this as perhaps the most important step in
my skiing lifetime for cross-country skiing in southeastern Wisconsin.
Snow-making equipment and the money needed to run it doesn't materialize out of thin air. Sometimes you just get lucky, though. Last spring, Lapham Peak acquired two snow-making guns, a pump and a Bombardier Snowcat from the Potawatomi (downhill) Ski Club. The ski club went out of business after approximately 20 years of operation.
So Lapham's snow making got a big jump-start. It will take an estimated $70,000 to make snow for the initial 1K loop. About $500,000 will be needed to cover the entire 4K lighted loop.
Now this may seem out of reach, but the Lapham Peak Friends group did successfully raise $30,000 to develop the lighted loop and an additional $90,000 for a handicapped-accessible trail.
But Lapham is not the only area that is planning on extending guaranteeing, even a ski season with artificial
snow. You can contribute to all of the efforts listed here.
Lee Borowski is a past USSA Nordic Coach of the Year, Badger State Winter Athlete of the Year, and the coach of several Junior, Senior and Collegiate Skiers of the Year. He has also coached many Masters skiers who have won both national and world championships. In addition, Lee is the author of several books, many articles and four videos on cross-country skiing.
To order Borowski's NEW Simple Secrets of Skating or The Simple Secrets of Striding (both illustrated by Olympic and world champions and available on VHS and DVD), send $25 plus $1.75 shipping (Wisconsin residents add $1.27 tax) to Lee Borowski, 4500 Cherokee Drive, Brookfield, WI 53045. | 
