March 14th, 2022,Last day of grooming.

An Amazing Year! April 9th Easter!

By the numbers:

18 weeks of groomed nordic sking this winter (22-23)!!

952 hours of volunteer grooming- total heroes!

176 round trips of those volunteers driving out to groom our trails Vallecito

April 8th!, Two groomers gave you 4 hours each today to wrestle last night’s ice crust in to fun skate skiing. Alas, the classic tracks have suffered in the sun :( and are not at their best. The snow started getting a wee tad soft as early as 9:45 today… So if you are going ski at Vallecito tomorrow to look for the the Easter snowshoe hare, you best not come late… unless you love slush. Tomorrow will be our last day of grooming for this Winter (Spring!!) after 17 weeks of volunteer grooming, and beautiful skiing by the lake!

April 7th, Two groomers ventured out for 4 hours each early this morning to beat the Spring temperatures. The classic tracks are reset and the skating lanes are once again corduroy! Our last day of grooming is planning to be this Sunday morning April 9th- Easter! If you are coming out, ski early in the day-lest you sink in, or wash away.

April 4th, A solo groomer produced a beautiful skating surface on all trails except the campgrounds- which are too full of tree parts to groom just now. The temperatures stayed in the teens all morning with less than an inch falling over night. A beautiful skiing day!

April 3rd, Fives hours by one groomer brought yesterdays ruts back to skatable (a word?) conditions w some lingering rough spots. There were not many skiers on the trails today and it was 50 degrees mid-day.

April 2nd, One groomer gave you 4 hours and groomed all trails for skating although many skiers are out for crust skiing early in the morning. By late morning the freeze has turned to thaw and you should go ride your bike.

March 31st, 1-2 inches of new snow over night. Two groomers set crisp new classic tracks on most trails and groomed all trails for skating. The each gave you 5 hours of their Friday- hurrah!

March 30th, A solo groomer spent 4 hours grooming all trails for skating - and then sampled his good work! Not many skiers and 42 degrees by 1 pm.

March 29th!, Hero snow! was the skier’s report after 2 groomers gave you 4.5 hours each. All trails groomed for skating, classic tracks look good.

March 28th, Skate lanes on all trails where groomed for skating by one gracious groomer during 3.5 hours.

March 27th, Afternoon update from a trusted source: “ Crazy good skiing today. Excellent corduroy. Good Skis, Sunny day. Couldn’’t be better!”

Cold temperatures and another 1” of new snow helped make grooming easier for two groomers who spent 6 hours each grooming all trails for skating and resetting classic tracks. Warm weather is forecasted for the rest of the week so get your skiing in while you can!

March 26th, A solo groomer spent 5 hours coaxing hard frozen snow to good skating today - to the joy of at least 3 dozen car loads of skiers!

March 25th! Another two inches of light snow fell overnight. Skate lanes on all trails groomed up for “pretty nice skiing and mid-winter-like conditions”. A large ponderosa pine fell across the entrance to the campground ski trail near Graham Creek - so that trail is now closed for the season. Ol’brother wind filled in the classic tracks on the beach last night, so they were reset today. Two groomers gave you 6 hours each of their Saturday today- you’ve gotta love these folks!

March 24th, New classic racks set and all skate lanes buffed after 2 volunteers gave you 6 hours each.

March 23rd, Six hours each for two groomers bringing all skate lanes back to life. And another groomer replaced the broken belt -so we have 2 working machines again!

March 22nd, They used to call atmospheric rivers “the pineapple express”, but according two our two intrepid, wet, volunteer groomers, this time we got 8” of mashed potatoes with rain mid-day for a gravy finish. Despite the starchy tropical menu, they spent 5 hours grooming the main road and East Creek, got stuck a bunch, and had one snowmobile yield to the ways of entropy….a cracked belt and it’s off to the shop. The single digit nights in the forecast should make grooming easier, or at least possible in the coming days.

March 21st, Seriously? Another 8” of new snow overnight which was compacted with the roller - but not groomed for skating. This good work took 4 hours donated by one groomer. Perhaps this is not the day for skating at Vallecito -as the snow still falls. :).

March 20th! The first day of Spring and another 4” of cold new snow this morning - which was followed by another 2” or wet snow while two groomers worker for 6 hours each. Good skating awaits on all trails!

March 19th, Six inches of new snow met our solo groomer and he groomed the skate lanes!

March 18th, All trails groomed for skating! Three and a half hours given to you by 2 groomers! Soft conditions by late morning- be ye ware!

March 17th - Yesterday (Thursday March 16th) there was 3-4” of new snow, but the snow/rain mix from earlier in the week has weakened the base, especially on the edges of the track. Today groomers packed the main skate lanes, but were not able to set new classic tracks. Crust skating off the trails was reported as good early in the morning. It may be a day or two before the groomed trails are back in shape. The road was very rutted in a few places.

March 16, All trails received a gentle groom (one pass by 1 groomer over 2.5 hours) to get them back to a smooth skating surface. Night time temperatures are headed lower in the next few days which should let us groom con gusto!

March 15th, Beware the ides, and rain, of March! Two groomers when out on the 34 degree morning on the rain wet snow… which was collapsing under the weight of the machines. Lower temps will be needed before we can groom again.

March 14th, One groomer ventured out to smooth out the skating lanes with success in most areas.

March 13th, Five hours from two groomers groomed out yesterday’s ski tracks, and now with soft wet snow, very deep dog tracks. Sadly, if you have to ski after 11 when the snow is wet and soft, it might be better to leave Fido at home. There was an inch or so of snow in the classic tracks - but still very skiable!

March 12th, 3pm: After 5 hours grooming from two of your VNC volunteer groomer heroes, most skate lanes are back in commission and the classic tracks are reset! Snow was falling again at 2pm. We are skiing towards the ides of March!

7:30 AM Yes! This morning two groomers are headed out to see what lies in wait at the Vallecito Nordic Club ski trails! By midmorning there is a good bet for some skiing! -most likely :)

March 11th, Robins and towhees are singing in the rain this morning in Durango-it’s magical! No grooming today at Vallecito or and we are not sure how much snow we got overnight. If you want guaranteed grooming today our higher elevation friends at Durango Nordic groomed with their snow cat this morning.

March 10th, A solo groomer spent 4.5 hours “scrubbed out” the classic tracks today in anticipation of the new snow. This makes it easier to set tracks ….after the atmospheric river has it’s way with Vallecito.

March 9th, Wait - what??!! March 9th!?, Two groomers worked for 4 hours each to bring the skating lanes on all trails back to dreamy skating perfection. The classic tracks are scheduled for rejuvenation as the first snow falls tomorrow. The next storm has lots of moisture -lets hope it falls as snow at Vallecito!

March 8th, 15 degrees 7:30 am and 40 degrees 12:15pm.Our solo groomer did all the skate lanes including campgrounds, princess and boat ramp before the transition to slush happened so the skating was great. The classic tracks tracks were still remarkably square.

The best skiing is between 9:00 and 1:00. After that it's a bit sloppy and slow. Later skiing also leaves such big marks that next grooming is difficult.

March 7th, 34 degrees at 7:00 this morning. Skating lanes all buffed. It was getting pretty soft by 11:00 so we are into spring conditions just in time for Daylight Savings. Ski early.

March 6th, All skate lanes on all trails groomed today which required multiple passes to produce a good skating surface. New classic tracks were also set in some areas where yesterday’s wind filled the tracks. Temperatures rose to over 40 degrees by 1 pm - we suggest you ski earlier than that for better skiing and to preserve the snow :)

March 5th, Unbiased (mostly) sources report good skating today after 3.5-4.5 hours from two groomers! Get it while it lasts!

March 4th, Superb skiing today! All skate lanes on all trails where groomed into perfection by 2 groomers who gave you 3.5 hours each of their Saturday. Skating is best at about 10 AM after a tad of grooming.. The classic tracks are holding up very well.

March 3rd, Skate lanes on all trails tidy up today by 2 groomers who spent 3 hours each. It was 41 degrees by 2:00 today- so better skiing in the mornings!

March 2nd, The new snow is compacted and all trails are groomed for skate and classic! The wild temperature swings of spring are upon us, so expect ice before the groomers do heir magic, and slush by early afternoon. 3 groomers gave about 5 hours each! more grooming is scheduled for March 3rd.

Feb 28th, No grooming today as we are readying equipment for the rest of this storm today and the projected big dump, again, tomorrow. What is it about Wednesdays this Spring? Still folks were out enjoying the snow globe this morning with about 3” of fresh snow by 11 am.

Feb 27th, Skate lanes on all trails groomed to a sweet, fast surface with a liitle snow on top! New classic tracks were also set on he beach and the connector trail below the Graham Creek Campground. Two groomers gave you 6.5 hours each today.

Feb 26th, All skate lanes on all trails got a buffing this morning by two groomers who donated 5 hours each. More snow was falling as they left near noon.

Our hearts go out to the friends and loved ones of the two backcountry skiers who lost their lives while skiing the slopes above the dam Saturday morning.

Feb 25th, Skate lanes on all trails were groomed repeatedly to “get the chunks out”- which did produce reat skiing!! New classic tracks were set on the main road (double), East Creek, the beach, the classic only trail, and some campgrounds. This was you gift from 3 groomers who worked 6.5 hours each, or a total of eighteen and half hours!

Feb 24th evening, Can you imagine 28.5 hours of grooming in one day to thrash deep, wind blown powder into skating corduroy? It happened today while the rest of us did…what ever. Three exhausted volunteer groomers left after 9.5 hours each! I think we owe them a drink , a hot tub, or both! Classic tracks will be for tomorrow’s crew.

Feb 24th morning, Today an intrepid team of 3 groomers are planning to go out to compact the snow. Maybe this is not the day to go skating at Vallecito! We are getting set for beautiful skiing this weekend!

Feb 23, No grooming today. We were letting the snow fall and hoping groomers find their way back home when passes open.

Feb 22nd, Sideways snow all day! And yet out two noble groomers went out for 5 hours each to compact the 8-11” of snow with rollers on the main road, East Creek, and some of the campgrounds. To the beach they dared not go, as the visibility was…zero. Big drifts are are guaranteed and its going to take us a bit, and a lot of work to get this dream skiing again.

Feb 21st, All skate lanes on all trails groomed today by 2 groomers who gave you 4.5 hours each. We also put out new marker wands along the trails in hopes of finding the trails again in and after the approaching “Massive Storm” - according to NOAA.

Feb 20th, All skate lanes on all trails groomed back to perfection in 4.5 hours by two groomers. Fourteen degrees at 8:30 and soft snow by 10:30- we are two thirds of the way from the Winter solstice to the Spring equinox and the sun is slowly climbing higher off the horizon. Ski on!

Feb 19th, Skate lanes on all trails groomed today by 2 groomers who gave you 5 hours each. Like the days before our previous storm, its getting warm by mid-morning- so plan your wax or skiing accordingly.

Feb 18th, All skate lanes groomed - And the skiing is great -Mostly our 4 hours of grooming was repair work after snow mobiles from our neighbors on Ellingson lane rutted the ski trails while choosing to ignore the “closed to un-authorized motorized travel” signs. :( May they make better choices in the future.

Feb 17th, All trails groomed for skating thanks to 2 groomers donating 6 hours each. The classic tracks are still beautiful.

Feb 16th, Triple teaming again! All trails groomed for skating and new classic tracks set on a beautiful beautiful day! Three groomers gave you 5.5 hours each- bless them thank them! At last ..the snow, mountains and sky await you!

Feb 15th, 14” of new snow overnight! Three groomers spent 8 hours each nd snow mobile packed and the used the roller to compact the snow. Heroic!

14th! Valentine’s Day, The gift of 6” of new snow overnight which two groomers compacted with the roller today. It took them 4 hours each. Since early evening its been it is dumping again, so probably more compacting tomorrow, and maybe grooming after that - we’ll see!

Feb 12th, All skating lanes on all trails refreshed by 2 groomers each with 5 hours today.

Feb 11th, Two groomers put in 5 hours each grooming skate lanes to perfection, and it was a spectacular warm day for Demo Days! There were many smiling faces today - a big thank you to groomers, volunteer instructors, other Vallecito Nordic volunteers, folks from Pine Needle Mountaineering, Back Country Experience, 2nd Ave Sports, Fischer Skis, Tailwind, and PRID.

Feb 10th, There was much to do in preparation our Demo day tomorrow Feb 11th! Classic tracks were scrubbed and reset on most trails, the lesson area on the beach was widened, groomed and has some new tracks. The skate lanes should get some love early in the morning. Two groomers gave you 8 hours each!! And yes, thanks to PRID for getting some gravel on the icy road.

Feb 9th, Skate lanes on all trails groomed today by 2 groomers who gave our community 4.5 hours each- there is great skiing! It’s looking really good for Demo Days this Saturday.

Note: The road approaching the trailhead is getting icy- please drive with caution and consider wearing Yak tracks or some similar traction device on your shoes to the trailhead. With PRID’s help we hope to get some gravel on the approach road soon.

Feb 8th, Four and a half hours for two groomers coaxed sunbaked icy spots to skating bliss on all trails.

Feb 5th &6th, All trails and skate lanes were groomed both days. Beautiful days, beautiful skiing! Two groomers for 3.5 hours each on Monday, one “soul” groomer listening to the Beach Boys for 5.5 hours Sunday.

Feb 4, All skate lanes were refreshed and a new snow bridge built of the growing creek on the beach connector. High pressure weather means slushy trails by 1 pm - ski early! 4.5 hours each for two groomers.

February 3rd, New classic tracks set on the main road, East Creek, the beach, and the classic only trail. The best skiing will probably be in the morning with the temps creeping into the upper 30s by afternoon. Two groomers gave you 5.5 hours each.

February 2nd, all trails freshened up for skating! 3.5 hours one groomer.

February 1st!, All skate lanes groomed and some of the classic tracks cooperated and allowed resetting. Two groomers gave you 4.5 hours each!

January 30th, All trails groomed for skating in 3.5 hours by 2 groomers. Classic tracks are still lookin good!

Jan 29th, Colorado blue bird skies and after 5 hours each from two groomers….sweet corduroy on the skating lanes! The classic tracks remain sweet-and fast!

Jan 28th, All skate lanes groomed on all trail again today. Elk have visited us again - removing their tracks took some extra effort. Tomorrow we will work on removing 3-4” ruts on parts of the beach left by an errant and illegal fat bike rider today. :( The classic tracks are holding up well - and the skiing has ben silky smooth.

Jan 27th, All skate lanes groomed on all trails! We are also starting to prep an area on the beach for lessons on Demo Days on Feb 11th. 2 Groomers 4.5 hours each.

Jan 25th and 26th, Skate lanes groomed both days, 2 groomers each day spent 4 hours each. Beautiful skies and skiing await you!

Jan 24th, A quick buffing of all the skate lanes today was done by one groomer over 3 hours. The classic tracks look great and the moose/elk craters have been healed w grooming (for now!).

January 23rd, Skating lanes groomed and new classic tracks set on all trails today as 3” of new snow fell. Seven hours for one groomer, and 5 hours for the other. The skiing should be great!

January 22nd, All skate lanes groomed on a chilly morning by two volunteer groomers over 5 hours each.

We remind dog owners to leave aggressive dogs at home, to be in control of your dog(s) at all times, and to clean up after your pets. And please do not leave plastic bags (full or empty) in the trail - they clog up our grooming equipment.

January 21st, All skate lanes were freshly groomed, even over the moose and or elk tracks-( they never did read the “no walking please” signs). Skate skiers reported a good firm surface had big smiles. New classic tracks were set on East Creek (yes - stuck machines again) and on the the classic only trail through the woods and campgrounds. After more compacting and widening of trails we’ve officially “dug out” from the 31” plus of snow in the storm cycle at the being of the week. 7.5 hours each for three groomers. Come and get it!

January 20th, Another 3” of new powder fell bin the morning which was groomed in the afternoon - so Saturday should be perfect skiing! New Classic tracks set on the main road and beaches (by headlamp), most all trails groomed again for skating! Two groomers donated 6.5 hours each.

January 19th, Whoohooo! The main road, East Creek and the beaches are groomed for skating and classic! Most other trails are groomed for skating (minus a few connector trails). Three volunteers gave you 8 hours each today and started at -10 degrees this morning!

January 18th, After 18 + inches in the last 36 hours we are digging out and compacting the promise of a long season! Two volunteer groomers went for 8.5 hours each today (reflect on their generosity…) and snow machine packed the trails. They also honed heir snow machine extraction techniques.. repeatedly! Tomorrow we hope to actually groom the main road, while compacting with the roller is the agenda for the other trails. SOFT? ..is it SOFT? Yes - classic will be best while skating be tough.

January 17th,……..Tuesday:
Snow fell laying deep
Groomers laughed and watched it fall
Wrapped in silence all

January 16th, The next storm cycle has arrived! Three groomers compacted the 5”-12” of new snow with just snow machines as it was too deep even for our compacter/roller when added to yesterday’s foot of snow.. They worked on the beaches, Pine Point, the notorious East Creek Hill, and at extracting one of our wayward snow machines. After 5.5 hours for each of them, they left it to tomorrow’s team. There is another 9” predicted tonight - stay tuned as we battle our way towards groomed trails again.

This might be life offering up the incentive you’ve always wanted to get better at classic skiing! At any rate when the skiing returns we should have a huge base!

January 15th, Over a foot of fresh snow overnight and more fell during the day today! One brave volunteer went out in the snow globe and compacted snow, had the “wave runner” buck’in bronco experience up East Creek, and.. got stuck repeatedly during a 5 hr. adventure. Tomorrow we anticipate machine packing, then roller compacting the snow again with a team of 3 groomers. Expect “soft” very soft conditions as we dig out in front of the next storm cycle.

January 14th, Lots of skiers today enjoyed fresh grooming of the skate lanes on all trails. Two groomers noted the moisture ahead of the approaching storm as the each put in 4.5 hours for your skiing delight!

Lucky Friday, January 13th!, All skate trails refreshed as well as the classic tracks on the beach, bypass, and trail to Brad’s Cabin. Two volunteer groomers gave 5.5 hours each of their time. A warm, beautiful day!

January 12th, A beautiful sunny day and all trails groomed again for skating by two groomers w 5 hours each. Two other volunteers put in a new water bypass trail on Middle Beach. Hurrah!

January 11th, The trails received 2 inches of new snow overnight. It was a windy day during the 7 hours of grooming by 2 groomers. The skate lanes on all trails were groomed. The classic tracks on the beach were filled in by the wind blown snow, and sadly the rising reservoir water level has blocked the far end of the Middle Beach trail. The trail to Brad’s cabin was widened to allow skating and classic to get past the flooded area. Still great skiing!

January 10, After 3” of new powder over night two groomers spent 4.5 hours each to turn all skate lanes on all trails (except the first entrance to the North Canyon Campground) to beautiful corduroy! The classic tracks still look good,

January 9th, All trails groomed for skating under the supervision (no pun intended) of Bald Eagles. Two groomers gave you 5.5 hours each.

January 8th, Three groomers made multiple passes on all skate lanes and were only occasionally sucked down through the compacted top of the snow pack. The classic tracks are reported to be in good condition. Six hours for each of 3 volunteers.

January 7th, All trails groomed w multiple passes to perfect the skating surface which continues to firm up. Yesterday’s classic tracks are still a work of art. One groomer donated 3.5 hours today.

January 6th, everything is groomed and ready to go for the weekend. Some skating tracks may be a little soft, but with more grooming they will be fast again soon. New classic tracks were set on the 6th. Have a wonderful time skiing!

January 4th, Skate lanes on all trails were groomed again today and the classic tracks set yesterday are still pristine. With the cold overnight the skating surface should firm up even more. Two volunteer groomers gave their community 5 hours each on a beautiful morning.

January 3rd, A few more inches of snow fell last night! (they call that storm “leftovers” in meteorological circles.) Three volunteer groomers each put in 5 hours to get all trails spectacular for skating and classic. Ok, there are no classic tracks on the campground loop, and yes, it may be at tad soft after our big snow on the 1st and 2nd. Come ski!

January 2, 2023,

Ode to the Atmospheric River (a.k.a. Grooming Report)

(apologies to Robert Service)

There are strange things done in the name of fun
By those who groom to ski
The Nordic trails have their secret tales
Built out of sweat and glee.

The Vallecito nights have seen happy sights
But the happiest they ever did see
Was a foot-plus of “fluff” between dawn and dusk
In the beginning of ‘23.

Two groomers rode as it heavily snowed
And valiantly packed all the trails.
Though machines got stuck they said “what the… ‘luck’!”
And in eight* hours their drive didn’t fail.

And so, when you go to Vallecito
With your skis and your thermoses full,
May praises you sing to the groomers who bring
You corduroy most beau-ti-ful!

*8.5 hours each!

Yes, soft conditions with few rocks are to be expected :)

January 1st, 2023! Groom. and Groom again as the snow falls was today’s mantra! Six and a half hours of solo volunteer grooming on all trails set for skating. After 1.5 “ of snow over night, another 3-4” of new heavy, wet snow was dumping down at the end of the day. A lovely base for our trails, along with what more comes tonight and tomorrow. Anticipate it takes us a bit to compact the new snow down tomorrow. Classic tracks will come after we wrestle the snow down a bit. Whoohooo!

December 31st, After 8.5 hours from one very motivated volunteer groomer, all trails were compacted, groomed for skating and new classic tracks set on the main road and beaches. The classic tracks on East Creek were removed anticipating the big snow in the next 48 hours.

Adios 2022! -Bring on the snow 2023!!!

Happy New Years from all of us at Vallecito Nordic Club!

December 30th, “Silky Smooth” was the term for skating today after 1” of new snow overnight and skating lanes on all trails groomed by 11 this morning. Another 3.5 hours each for two volunteer groomers.

Classic tracks were not reset today due to the forecast of a BIG SNOW FALL in the next few days! Yes- there are few spots with gravel/rocks still, but fewer. Let’s hope we can stop warning you about that soon!

December, 29th, Freshly groomed new snow awaits you!! The Main road to East Creek and the South Beach remain the best skiing with soft skate lanes and new classic tracks! However all trails were groomed for skating. New classic tracks were also set up East Creek, through North Canyon Campground, by Brad’s Cabin to the South Beach trail, and on both sides of the South Beach trail. We still have thin coverage so be awake and careful out there!

For the record: Four to five inches of very wet snow fell on the 28th and was compacted/rolled by two groomers who volunteered 5 hours each. Another 2” of light snow fell over night which allowed all of the grooming listed above by another two volunteers who put in 6.5 hours each on the 29th.

December 27th, Forest Service road out to East Creek and first section of South Beach groomed. Still fair snow coverage, weedy on he beach. Occasional rocks everywhere.

December 24th, light grooming on main road and South Beach. The skiing is holding up on thin snow. We need some snow!

December 19th, Skating lanes on the main road were groomed to entrance to Pine Point Campground and along the south and middle beaches today. The best skiing is still along the road from the trailhead to the base of East Creek which is also where there are also good Classic tracks.

Is is phenomenal what our groomers have been able to do with less than a foot of snow! Let’s see how lon we can make it last! That being said..“Early Season Conditions” translates to gravel exposed just past East Creek on the main road, and stubble, rare stumps, and a few rocks on the beaches.

Six hours of volunteer groomer time today.

December 17th, 2022, More gorgeous nordic skiing at Vallecito today! An early morning grooming touched up the skating lanes down the main road to Burnt Meadow and out the beaches 3/4 of the way to Pine Point. The classic tracks on the main road to the base of east Creek are in great shape.

If you choose to ski on the beach trails or past East Creek on the main road, please look out for early season hazards like stubble, gravel, or rare stumps (beach trails).

Its the last day (evening) to renew or start new memberships in VNC and still get in the drawing for the donated nordic ski package from Pine Needle Mountaineering !

December 13th, 2022, After 16 person hours of compacting and grooming today …there is early season groomed nordic skiing at Vallecito!!

We only recommend skiing the main road from the gate to the base of East Creek at this point. The road is groomed for skate and classic - but it is not time to get out your World Cup racing skis yet!!! The beaches and campgrounds have been rolled but have stubble and rocks just below the surface.

December 12th, 2022, It’s snowing at Vallecito! We had 4” before the current storm and hope to compact/roller the new fluff tomorrow. We hope to have early season skiing ready for you after we compact this into a base by mid- to late week. Check back for updates!!

In the mean time… Please renew your membership to Vallecito Nordic Club.

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For the 2022/2023 ski season we hope to have one or two ski clinics (Clinic scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2023!) and may try to bring back Demo Days.

Check our Events page for the schedule as plans firm up.