Nordic Athletes Still Searching....

Winter continues to play tricks on the Nordic world this December. With record warm temperatures and almost no natural snow in Park City, options for quality Nordic skiing are limited. Right now, Soldier Hollow remains the lone bright spot for groomed terrain and reliable conditions, and we are grateful for the work being done there to keep skiing possible.

The silver lining of this strange stretch has been hard to miss. Clear mornings, dramatic clouds, and some truly spectacular sunrises have greeted early sessions, offering a reminder that winter still has its moments, even when snow is in short supply.

Nordic Director Emma Garrard notes that the teams have made excellent use of this time. The Junior Comp Nordic athletes have been putting in strong work building fitness through dryland running, rollerski technique, and gym sessions, with a focus on ski-specific strength, balance, agility, and efficiency. The group recently enjoyed their first on-snow day, an exciting checkpoint that brought fall training together. The team is looking ahead to more snow, early-season time trials, and continued progress as racing approaches.

The Devo Nordic group has kicked off the season with high energy, blending games, endurance outings, and ski-focused drills to keep practices fun while building confidence and fitness. Balance, body position, and solid technique habits have been a focus, along with plenty of team relays and friendly challenges. Their first on-snow session was a highlight, and the group is eager for more opportunities to ski local trails together as winter settles in.

While conditions are far from typical for late December, the Nordic program continues to move forward with purpose, flexibility, and a great team mindset. The work is happening, the enthusiasm is strong, and the sunrises have been worth waking up early for.