Start to finish
When we hit the mountain, it was 4 degrees. That's the coldest race day I could ever imagine, but if it's your first race of the season, you go for it.
The finish during the 5K race on Sunday at Prospect Mountain in Woodford, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
When we hit the mountain, it was 4 degrees. That's the coldest race day I could ever imagine, but if it's your first race of the season, you go for it.
That was the case for my daughter on Sunday at Prospect Mountain, a scenic area tucked into the southwest corner of the state in the small town of Woodford. It’s a nostalgic, old ski area that ran as a rope tow and a J-bar in its early days — and it’s still going, now as a cross-country skiing venue. This past weekend, it hosted part of the NENSA Vermont Cup series, including 5K and 10K courses — my daughter took part in the 5K.
COVID-19 protocols were strictly followed, as dozens of cross-country skiers from all over Vermont competed. Usually, my daughter would have skied in at least five races by now — but indeed, the pandemic has impacted all sports. On Sunday, the sun was gleaming in no small way, and the brilliant, snowy landscape gave us the gift of beautiful surroundings as everyone prepared to race. All of nature’s elements had something of light to them.
That day also gave me the gift of a parenting experience I hadn’t had very often. I had been to my daughter’s races before, but this one was different for me, and not just because of the arctic cold. It was the first time I got to see the process leading up to the starting line, beginning with seeing her wax her skis in the living room the night before, along with all the packing and preparations that go into a two-hour family drive. I saw her perseverance and dedication to her sport, from start to finish. It's a complete experience I didn't have when I was leading a newsroom in my former job, when family time was always short. I’d been to these races before, but I hadn’t fully appreciated how much work went into preparing for them. It was good to be present, even with the challenge of rising before 6 a.m. I was ready.
Part of being ready was turning the RAV4 into a ski lodge of sorts, because with the pandemic, there was no lodge available. We arrived at about 9 a.m., and my daughter went straight from the car into her course preview run, the sunlight beckoning, the cool, windy trail waiting. My wife and I went over to the start, to check out the angles for taking pictures and generally take a look around. A gentle slope would take the racers up into the 5K course, where some windy spots in the woods awaited them. Another slope on the opposite side would bring them down to the finish.
Cheering for our daughter as she double-poled her way out of the start, I felt proud to be there, witnessing the result of her months of work — after her first summer/fall stretch of nonstop training. Her passion for the sport showed then, and it glowed now, even amid such a challenging onslaught of cold. Her plan for pacing herself at different points of the course, was being put into practice, and years of learning put into action with each stride.
As the race ended, my daughter powered through the finish, making it a strong day of racing that was very much worth the wait. Make no mistake, she was very ready to throw on some layers not chilled by the air. One of them was her toasty, insulated reindeer onesie; it's a standby for races. As she headed off to "warm down", I put her cold jacket into one of our bags, as I had dozens of times. But this time, it was with a bit more focus, a bit more attention. I had gone through the whole process of a race day, during one of my daughter’s most challenging competitions. Start-to-finish is a concept in and of itself, and one that’s exemplified in a race. It’s a matter of starting strong, using your power wisely, and persevering through the elements, until the very end.
The power of perseverance enabled my daughter and her fellow racers to finish their course in single-digit temps, with wind. Such an accomplishment is its own reward, a harmonious blend of hard work and dedication yielding progress, something I was proud to witness. It showed me that the true power of any experience is seeing progress right before your eyes, and sharing the good it brings. Sunday was that kind of day, and I'm looking forward to more days like it — even if I have to bring my heaviest jacket along.
— Gareth Henderson
Cross-country skiing through Woodstock
There is huge interest from the public in having fun outdoors, which was a trend over the past year. That feeling is carrying over into the winter, and Nordic skiing has seen the impact.
The Ottauquechee River Trail runs by the scenic waterway in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Saturday’s fresh fallen snow brought ideal conditions to explore the trail systems of Woodstock, Vermont, on cross-country skis. It is one of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful, scenic landscapes in the area. From free places to explore, to locations that need a trailpass, there is an access point for everyone to get out and enjoy the natural environment around them.
There is huge interest from the public in having fun outdoors, which was a trend over the past year after so much time indoors during the pandemic. That feeling is carrying over into the winter, and Nordic skiing has seen the impact.
"There's a lot of excitement and interest in cross-country skiing," said Nick Mahood, the Nordic Center and recreational trails director for the Woodstock Inn & Resort. That activity also began earlier than usual. "There was way more pre-season interest, with people purchasing new passes and equipment."
That major December storm dumped nearly three feet of snow in Woodstock before Christmas, bringing epic skiing conditions. Although the snow cover was hit hard by the significant rains in the following days, Mahood and his team still managed.
"We were able to recover and hang onto about two kilometers of skiing, with an extensive effort moving some snow around," he said.
This week's snow helps the cause, too. Nordic Center season passes, and the combo passes offered with the resort's Suicide Six Ski Area, are doing well.
"A lot of those numbers seem to be up," Mahood said.
Along with the overall interest in outdoor activities, Mahood noted there have been a number of new families with children in the area, and they've been enjoying the Nordic skiing experience here also.
"They're all active and looking for things to do," he said.
Woodstock has seen a lot of traffic in recent days overall, and outdoor enthusiasts are among them. We've greeted fellow skiers, snowshoers, and hikers in numerous locations, enjoying the scenery the area has to offer.
Skiing on the Ottauquechee River Trail, which begins at the new East End Park, was a fun, new "first" for my wife and I on Saturday, and we saw some hikers taking in a late-afternoon stroll near the river. This public trail was unveiled last year and is a gem of an addition to local outdoor opportunities.
As we skied by a field, the clouds in the distance opened up slightly, revealing a radiant sliver of sunlight, beaming down on the mountains. To me, that had a symbolic meaning, as the chance to spend more time outside shined an especially positive light into people's lives in recent months, in a strong and meaningful way. It's a peaceful, healing feeling that nothing can replace, and it's a joy to see that hopeful trend continue, as we ski, hike and snowshoe our way through the wintertime.
— Gareth Henderson