Last season had its challenges due to the COVID pandemic, and while we were unable to run many of our programs as we have in the past, these new restrictions allowed us to reimagine and redeploy our resources in new ways.
During a typical season we partner with Bolton Valley Resort to host our Ski Cubs Program on Saturdays during the winter. The Saturday Ski Cubs Program is a free learn-to-ski program that serves many New American families in the Burlington and Winooski areas, and one of the many barriers to participation is transportation. To help remove this obstacle the CTA provides is a free bus service picking up participants where they live and transporting them to the mountains.
Last season we were unable to run the bus due to COVID, and could not run our Saturday Ski Cubs Program. But, instead of seeing this as a disaster, we looked for the opportunity. In the past we’ve worked to bring participants to the skiing. But last season we decided to try and bring the skiing to the participants, and in turn created a number of community programs with our partners where we’d offer free learn-to-ski/nordic skiing demos at local parks and forests.
One of the more successful programs was our Free Drop-In Nordic Rental Program at the Gilbrook Nature Area in Winooski. We didn’t know what to expect before the season started, but in the end it was hugely successful, and we ended up helping 80-100 people experience the fun of cross country skiing each weekend all winter long.
So what’s with the title and why does the CTA need me to consider donating my unused classic XC skis to them?
We need skis because we don’t have enough. Last year we were forced to cancel some programs, but this allowed us to try some new things out. What we discovered was that there was a real need for these types of programs.
In the future we want to do it all. And we want to continue expanding both our youth and community learn-to-ski programs. But to do this, we need more skis, boots, bindings, and poles.
We are working to expand our fleet by purchasing equipment, but recreational equipment has been hard to come by and we’ve been struggling to find enough equipment to continue running all of our program.
So, before you drop that old pair of XC skis off at the local ski swap, please first consider donating them to the CTA. We will put them to use helping Vermonters young and old get outside during the winter.
While we’d love to be able to accept anything we do require that equipment be in good working condition with no major damage. See below for some additional details related to the types of equipment we are accepting.
Acceptable Equipment
Poles
We will take any nordic poles that aren’t bent, have straps, and are a suitable size for a young adult, or adult.
Skis/Bindings
Skis and bindings need to be free of defects or damage. At this time we are only accepting classic XC skis, that have NNN compatible bindings. We are not accepting skate skis, or SNS, SNSBC, or NNNBC bindings.
Boots
Boots must be in good working condition. We are accepting boots designed for classic XC skiing that are compatible with NNN bindings. We are not accepting skate boots, or SNS, SNSBC, or NNNBC compatible boots.
If you have equipment you’d like to donate please contact Greg Maino at gmaino@catamounttrail.org to make arrangements.
Thank you!
