Mt. Shasta Nordic: Pioneering a model for sustainable recreation
02.23.2011

Mt. Shasta Nordic, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is pioneering a model for sustainable recreation, and it is working. Together with broad support from the community, Mt. Shasta Nordic is succeeding in keeping a unique and valuable resource in the Mt. Shasta region. In its fifth season of operating the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center, the organization has hit many milestones and is in the middle of what has been its most successful season yet.

“Mt. Shasta Nordic is taking an integrated community approach to facilitating access to human-powered winter recreation for a broad demographic and region,” says Laurel Harkness, Executive Director.

“There are three key components to the success of Mt. Shasta Nordic,” says Laurel Harkness, Executive Director. “One – the Mt. Shasta Ski Park as a stalwart corporate partner.  Two – the support of the entire community.  Three – a beautiful setting with a facility and trails that anyone would describe as a “community gathering place”.”

“The Mt. Shasta Ski Park has supported Mt. Shasta Nordic from the very beginning, in good years and in not-so-good years. They have always been there for us and will continue to be,“ Harkness says. “In fact, they think so highly of our organization, the facility, and the benefit to the community, they will not let the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center close. Their support runs deep to the tune of anywhere between $35,000 to $70,000 each year of in-kind support and services. So while other Nordic ski facilities in California struggle to remain open or fail to get off the ground, mostly due to lack of public funding, Mt. Shasta Nordic is making it work because of the strong partnership that we have built with the Mt. Shasta Ski Park.”

Harkness emphasizes, however, “Mt. Shasta Nordic still needs to purchase its own Snow Cat Groomer. It is an essential piece of equipment to groom the trails of the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center. The Ski Park's groomer is nearly 20 years old and it is Mt. Shasta Nordic's time as an organization to get our own. The Ski Park will be right there for us to help us support and maintain any machine that we do get.”

Mt. Shasta Nordic is out to raise $30,000 in the community by April 1, 2011 to go toward their Snow Cat Groomer Fund. “The timing is critical”, Harkness explains, “We need to take what we raise in community, add that to the $45,000 that we have in set aside already, and then go out and compete for grant funding that will bring us up to the $100,000 target to get the machine that we need.” Over $7,000 has been raised in the last few weeks toward the goal of $30,000.

The Mt. Shasta Nordic operates the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center as a community winter trail network, open to all without a trail use fee. “It is part of our mission as an organization to maximize the benefit and accessibility to active winter lifestyles for the community,” Harkness states, “There is a cost to operating the trails and facility, and we do suggest a trail use donation of $10 per day or request that people join our organization as members. It is important to Mt. Shasta Nordic to keep winter recreation free of economic barriers for the people who need it the most.”

In examining Mt. Shasta Nordic’s financial picture, Board of Directors, Treasurer, Dave Tricamo explains, “Our annual cash budget to sustain Mt. Shasta Nordic and operate the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center is about $60,000. 30% comes from memberships, 60% comes from the trailhead operations/donations at the Nordic Center, and the remaining 10% comes from business sponsorships, grants, and fundraisers. Last year we were in the red by about 5%, this fiscal year we are projecting to be in the black by about 10%.”

“With the continued support from the community and generous support from the Mt. Shasta Ski Park - groomed winter trails and the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center will remain open for a very long time.” Harkness says.

More about Mt. Shasta Nordic:
The Mt. Shasta Nordic Center features 20 km of groomed winter trails for XC skiing and snowshoeing. There is a warming hut at the trailhead, and rentals and lessons available. The Nordic Center is open 9am until 4pm every day except Tuesdays.

The Mt. Shasta Nordic Center is operated by Mt. Shasta Nordic under a special use permit from the USFS. Mt. Shasta Nordic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2006, with the intent to create, enhance, and preserve Nordic skiing opportunities for all ages and abilities.

The Mount Shasta Nordic Center is located approximately 10 miles off of Interstate 5 near Mount Shasta City. From Interstate 5, exit onto Highway 89 South which is marked as the exit to McCloud. After 6.5 miles on Highway 89, turn left (north) on Ski Park Hwy. After 3.5 miles look for the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center parking lot on the left (one mile before the Mt. Shasta Ski Park).

For up to date information on Mt. Shasta Nordic, volunteer opportunities, and membership, visit www.mtshastanordic.org

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