ASC (Auburn Ski Club) Training Center is now lighting the first kilometer at its cross-country ski area on Donner Summit with hopes that in the future several more kilometers will be added. The trail will be lit on Wednesdays and Fridays for nighttime skiing until 7:30 p.m., providing an opportunity for ski teams and the public to put in more hours on snow.
While ASC accommodates a wide range of Nordic skiers, its primary focus is on training ski racers from a variety of ski clubs in the region. According to the website: “Our vision is to be the West’s premier high-altitude training center and to inspire a life-long love of snow sports.”
The center has several times been home to the Junior Nationals for cross-country skiing and is a regular venue for school and adult races, as well as the region’s cross-country ski teams.
Skiing in the golden hour just before sunset and then, even better, getting to watch the rose-colored glow rise up the slopes of Castle Peak right as the sun went down. In addition, the ancient lodgepole pines and red firs were truly stunning in the just-before-sunset light.
Given the limited amount of time between the last school bell and darkness, trail lighting could become a true savior for cross-country ski programs. While my school days are long past, I thought it would be fun to give the night skiing experience a try, so I went up for a ski on Jan. 25.
Since it was a sunny day, I had a lovely drive up Interstate 80, but I noticed ethereal waves of snow clouds blowing over the ridge tops of the Sierra Crest. A little voice in my head said, “Ruh roh.”
When I arrived at ASC, I discovered it was blowing ferociously from the east. After I parked my truck, it was rocking like there were two gorillas wrestling in the bed. It was a struggle putting the skis on without getting knocked over, but once I skied away from the open stadium area and into the shelter of the trees, the wind was manageable and the skiing was awesome.
Check off #34 on our Ultimate Tahoe Winter Bucket List.
The cross-country trails are located adjacent to Boreal Mountain Resort. ASC Training Center grooms 25k nightly in a series of loops that wind up and down the north-facing slopes, occasionally dishing out spectacular views of Castle Peak. If I was going to make the drive, I thought I might as well get a full ski in, so I arrived at ASC around 4 p.m., which allowed me to ski for an hour before the lights came on.
This was a great move, as I enjoyed a rare treat: Skiing in the golden hour just before sunset and then, even better, getting to watch the rose-colored glow rise up the slopes of Castle Peak right as the sun went down. In addition, the ancient lodgepole pines and red firs were truly stunning in the just-before-sunset light. The wind blowing wispy blankets across the snow was an added bonus.
The interconnected loop trail network at ASC means that whomever you see skiing, you will almost certainly see again shortly. I was joined on the trails by several after-school training programs. I marveled at one of the more advanced groups using the wind at their backs to roar down the initial hill that was most affected by the wind. Those kids have a lot more guts than me — and they ski faster.
Eventually, after a quick break in the large comfy lodge, it was dark enough to enjoy the lighted trails. It was a unique experience to have the opportunity to be skiing when normally I would be inside trying to avoid writing. I was joined on the trails by a large master class that was skiing interval laps.
“The reaction has been very positive. The master’s program doubled in size by putting it under the lights. It is mainly composed of people who work 9 to 5,” said ASC Nordic director Gus Johnson of the lighting program.
The nonprofit ASC built the lighted trails system through a fundraising effort. The hope is that if they can come up with enough funding they can lengthen the trail to 2k next year and eventually up to 5k, which will be a distance that will allow for night-time racing, as well as more terrain to make nighttime skiing more enjoyable.
“We are trying to expand access to people who work or go to school during daylight hours. It should broaden our base and it fits in with our mission and vision. We want to be affordable and accessible,” said Johnson. | asctrainingcenter.org
Night skiing
Until 7:30 p.m. | Wednesday & Friday
ASC Training Center | Donner Summit
asctrainingcenter.org
Nordic Nights
5-7 p.m. | Feb. 24 & March 24
North Tahoe Regional Park | Tahoe Vista
facebook.com/NorthTahoeRecreation
