POCATELLO — The East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center located south of Pocatello is now open for the 2017-18 winter season.
The nordic center opened last Friday and will feature a series of new classes next month, including the early season backcountry refresher on Jan. 12, women’s beginner classic and skate lessons on Jan. 13 and women’s intermediate classic and skate lessons on Jan. 20.
“Every year we try to adapt to changing demand and bring fresh classes to the community,” said Lance Clark, outdoor recreation program manager for Pocatello Parks and Rec, in a news release. “We also have a staff with very strong skills in specific areas and try to utilize their skills. Adding the backcountry refresher is just a good excuse to come out and shake off the cobwebs for how to use backcountry avalanche gear. It is the type of thing everyone should do regularly but it is hard to find people to practice with.”
According to Clark, the racecourse and the trails up to Ermine are currently in good shape.
“With the snow we’ve received, there are no set classic tracks, just corduroy,” he said in a news release.
For first-timers looking to try out cross-country skiing, the center will host its Ski Free Day on Jan. 6.
“Most runners and bikers already own the right clothing to get started,” Clark said in a news release. “Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing keeps you warm so all you need are a light-wind layer, a hat and some gloves on most days.”
The trails at the nordic center are open to skiers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Passes cost $9 per day for adults, $4 per day for youth and $7 per day for seniors. The rental shop, which is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., has classic and skate rental ski packages for youth and adults starting at $14 per day.
Snowshoe rentals are available for $7 and no trail pass is needed when using the designated snowshoe loop. When snowshoeing or sledding, a $5 per vehicle parking fee is required. Parking is included with all ski packages.
A 30-foot warming hut is available onsite for trail users and can be reserved for overnight stays.
The East Mink Creek Nordic Center is located 7 miles south of Pocatello at the base of Scout Mountain. Season passes are available at the Community Recreation Center and day passes can be purchased onsite through fee boxes if the area is not staffed.
According to the Pocatello Parks and Recreation Department, daily grooming at the East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center is possible through volunteers with the Pocatello Cross Country Ski Foundation.
For more information on the East Mink Creek Nordic Center, visit nordic.pocatello.us.
