The Nordic Program at 3 Creek Ranch is an outstanding addition to the Nordic skiing scene in Jackson Hole. In its third year of full operation, the program consists of 9 miles of groomed classic/skate ski trails of varied terrain and level of difficulty. The trails twist and turn and climb and descend through the golf course amid spectacular elevated and panoramic views of the Teton Range and valley to the north and west, as well as Munger Mountain and Gros Ventre Range to the South and West.
In addition, the community pathway that borders 3 Creek Ranch provides 2 ½ miles of flat, straight groomed trails that are ideal for developing the ideal classic or skate rhythm of motion and cadence required to traverse the challenging sections of the 3 Creek Nordic trails.
The quality of Nordic ski instruction available to property owners and members is just as impressive as the system of trails. Roger Smith, the Head of Outdoor Pursuits and Resident Naturalist at 3 Creek Ranch, offers instruction on both classic and skate skiing. He is very skilled at breaking down the mechanics of these sports into their basic movements in such a way that the neophyte can build the skills incrementally instead of trying to remember and execute everything at one time. This approach helps particularly with skate skiing, which requires arms and legs to be in unison but go in unnatural and different directions at the same time. Roger also offers tours on skis around the property to observe how wildlife survives the winter. In addition, he leads caravans to ski the backcountry trails of Jackson Hole and surrounding area. Another nice benefit of the 3 Creek Ranch Nordic program is that Roger offers ski maintenance, to include pre and post season ski conditioning, as well as daily waxing to meet trail conditions. Roger is very serious about this aspect of the sport, because he believes proper conditioning of skis is key to enjoying Nordic skiing to its fullest.
Although the Nordic ski trail meanders through the golf course, it seems more like an adventure on skis through a wildlife preserve. The panoramic views of the landscape are spectacular, but so are the intimate scenes of trumpeter swans lifting off the surface of a pond…
or speaking a language to each other only they know.
It is the observation of patterns and shapes in the snow interrupted by threads of native grasses and waterways that are the things that are remembered long after the physical exercise.
Perhaps a more fitting name for this special place is 3 Creek Nordic Preserve, or better yet, the 3 Creek Nordic Experience.
Don Alsted
http://jacksonholegreenrealestate.com/
