Have big fun, win cool prizes! Really!

As mentioned in an earlier entry, The Chicken Creek Cross-Country Ski Area will be the organization benefitting from this year's Millwood Follies.
Saturday, April 2
Doors open at 4:00 PM
Fun starts at 5:00 PM

This year Joan Brind'Amour (with some help) is doing an outrageous job of gathering up all kinds of great door prizes and silent auction items.  Here is a sampling:

• $220 pair of new Fischer skate skis from Pine Needle Mounteering
• 2 new packs from Osprey Packs, Cortez
• $1000 septic engineering job from Cap Allen
• $230 value lunch for 2 and soak at Dunton Hot Springs
• New Goggles from Kokopelli
• New set Pyrex bake ware from Slavens
• $115 new Camelback from Gardenswartz
• Gift certificates from "The Farm" restaurant in Cortez
• Gift basket of coffee from Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters
• 2 Stained Glass window stars from Lalu Stained Glass
• Gift certificate for full hour massage from Chyrise Bay
• Enameled Beaded Pin by Marilyn Kroeker
• Gift Basket from Singing River Farm, soaps, lotions
• Black on Black signed Santa Clara Pueblo pottery from Picaya Cortez
• Gift basket from the Beehive in Mancos
• Gift Certificate from the Absolute Bakery in Mancos
• Gift Certificate from the Dolores Food Market
• Handmade necklace by Christie Smith
• Two day passes for Trimble Hot Springs
• Handmade Necklace and Earrings by Patty Russell
• Four Rib Eye steaks, grass fed beef by Burk Beef, Mancos

Crazy, isn't it?
The thing is, there's a lot more!  I'll be updating with another post in a few days as we get more items in hand.  I hope you've saved the date, and please tell your friends.

Hurray for Hank

OK, just disregard yesterday's entry.  Hank got out there this morning and groomed all of the Bauer loops, the Rush Connector, one pass around Rush Creek, and a single pass down the road.  He reports the snow is in excellent condition.  Go forth, ski.

Chicken Creek Update

Some folks are wondering why the new snow wasn't groomed, so let me do my best to explain.  As fabulous as the fresh snow we got was (is), we need always to look beyond the day in which it falls to determine if it will still be there in two days before we get too fired up about grooming it.  Time, equipment resources, and gasoline are all required to make this work.  Almost all of our volunteers have full-time (or more) jobs.  Our equipment is old and cantankerous.  And gasoline is expensive!  So it becomes difficult to justify spending all that time and energy when we know the snow will be gone - or seriously compromised - in a couple days.  The high temperature forecast for tomorrow is nearly 60 degrees.  Already a great deal of the fresh snow is already gone, or in really crummy shape.

So we ask your forbearance in this situation.  No one stepped forward to groom, despite a request to the volunteers.  I would suggest that there are always opportunities for more groomers to join our ranks.  It is a marvel what we accomplish with a small group of dedicated volunteers.  And we are always receptive to newcomers with the time, energy and ambition to offer their services.  Feel free to reply to this entry if you think you qualify.  I'll be happy to contact you and we can include you in our pre-season groomers meeting next year.

One Tough Bird

Many thanks to groomers Andy and Tom Y. for spending lots of time and energy freshening up the track at Chicken Creek today.

The following trails received grooming attention today:

• All of Lower Bauer
• The East side of Upper Bauer
• All of Rush Creek
• The road, up to the top

From the groomer's reports, it sounds like there is classic track set on Bauer, the road, and most of Rush Creek.  The west side of Upper Bauer and spots on Lower Bauer sound like they have some issues with the usual suspects; pine needles, rocks, dog poo, mud, and ice.  So please exercise caution while exercising your booty.

Also, an early "heads-up" for the die-hard Chicken Creek fans out there.  This year's Millwood Follies will benefit the ski area, so please set aside the date of April 2nd.  It's a Saturday night.  We'll follow up with more information.  But please let your skiing buddies know, this is a chance to have a bunch of fun AND help out your favorite cross-country skiing area.

Nest Freshened

Good news, skiers. That skiff of snow we got translated into as much as 6 inches of fresh white stuff at the ski area. Our volunteer groomers have been working hard to "refeather the nest" with the new snow, and I think you'll be delighted with the results.

All trails have been groomed, with the exception of Turkey Creek which still needs some work. There is classic track set up to the top of the road and on the Hamlin Loop as well. Tracksetting is a bit spotty, as we had some technical problems with the equipment yesterday.

Skiers are warned to excercise extreme caution on the west leg of the Upper Bauer Loops, as exposed rocks are making skiing there dangerous. A map showing the area of concern begins the blog. PLEASE BE CAREFUL, OR AVOID THE AREA ENTIRELY. Click on the image above for a clearer view of the hazard.

Enjoy the skiing!

In Fine Feather

Groomers Alan and Tom deserve a big round of applause for their efforts on the stinky machines yesterday. Everything got the brush-up treatment and is reportedly in very good condition. A friendly reminder that leashed or harnessed dogs are not allowed on the trails. Take this as permission to gently share this fact with anyone you come across who is tethered to their pooch.

There is a slight chance of some snow over the weekend, and that would be a big help if it came. Do a little snow dance over your omelette tomorrow morning.

Happy skiing

New Snow Provides Nice New Layer

A bit more snow is what we got. 1 1/2 inches at the trailhead and about 3 more up top. A big thank you to Andy H. who groomed out Upper and Lower Bauer Loops Tuesday afternoon. Brrrrr! The thermometer is dropping and looks like some more snow and cold in the forecast. A far cry from last weeks spring like conditions. Feels more like February 1st now. Stay tuned for the next grooming report which hopefully will be in the next day or two. We'd love to keep this bit of snow as part of our base and have it all bond together.
Respectfully submitted by the Chicken Creek Bloggers