The Abenaki Open Feb. 22nd

Fun XC Ski Event Sunday Feb.22nd

"The Abenaki Open" will be hosted by the Abenaki Nordic Ski Team and is for all ages.
Your choice, race it or tour it, you pick 5k or 2k distances.

This is a freestyle event, skate or classic style you pick.

Event starts at 9am with individual rolling starts.

Registration online at Wolfeboro Parks and Rec

Race day registration also available beginning at 8am at the Abenaki Ski Lodge.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The Nordic Skier of Wolfeboro is celebrating its 50th year! In 1972 Cal and Verna Flagg of Wolfeboro started up a ski shop with an emphasis in nordic skiing, snowshoeing and bicycles. Son Steve joined his parents soon after. The original shop was located at 34 North Main. The following season they moved up the street to its current location at 47 North Main St. The original shop was 300 sq. ft. they now occupy 3,000 sq. ft.  The Nordic Skier has expanded its selection of sporting goods, clothing, rentals and service dept. over the decades. Steve’s wife Beth joined the team at Nordic Skier in the 90’s.

 The shop is still owned and operated by the Flagg family making it the longest family owned and operated retail shop in Wolfeboro still operating.

As the years went by the passion for the sports they promoted and participated in daily grew and grew which led to many milestones including The Nordic Skier Shop voted Best Nordic Ski Shop in New England. In 2017 Steve was presented with the Al Merrill Award by Ski NH in Recognition of Outstanding Contribution to the Sport of Cross-Country Skiing in the State of New Hampshire. Steve coached the Kingswood High School Girls Nordic Ski Team and in 2014 the girls won the NH State Championship in Div. II, the first championship team at Kingswood in any team sport in 16 years.

Nordic Skier also had a satellite shop at the Jackson Ski Touring Center in Jackson NH for nine winter seasons starting in 2000/2001. Managed by Tim White a long-time member of the team at Nordic Skier. Tim heads up the workshop at Nordic Skier which includes servicing bikes and the winter sports gear.

The Flaggs also want to thank all of its staff over the decades, a list that includes dozens.

Verna and Cal are also credited with initiating a Nordic Trail System in Wolfeboro starting in 1972.

Nordic Skier is also the headquarters for Wolfeboro Cross Country Ski Assoc. a non-profit who maintains a 30km trail system which many would say are some of the best cross country ski trails with impeccable grooming. Steve has been grooming the ski trails since the age of sixteen and continues to this day as head groomer.

Verna and Cal are now retired and reside in their home adjacent to the ski trails at Sewall Woods. They enjoy watching skiers and year-round users passing by. Give them a BIG wave and hello. If not for Verna and Cal’s vision of a xc ski trail system, the trails and Sewall Woods would not be what it is today.

Another BIG milestone for Cal and Verna on October 19th 2022 it will be their 71st wedding anniversary.

The Nordic Skier and the Cross-Country Ski Trails have made Wolfeboro a winter destination benefiting many local inns, hotels, eateries, businesses, and shops.

Stop on by Nordic Skier and get your free 50th Anniversary sports bottle and decal. Special events and promotions are planned.

TOP TEN REASONS TO CROSS COUNTRY SKI

1. It is widely accepted in the field of exercise physiology as the best cardiovascular exercise known.

2. Cross country skiing uses a large percentage of your muscle mass, and is more efficient and effective than activities using legs alone or arms alone.

3. The low impact nature of the activity reduces impact loading on joints; this is particularly important for individuals with arthritis or joint surface defects.

4. Gliding over uneven surfaces increases your kinesthetic sense, in other words, your body's ability to perceive its location in space.

5. The weight shift in ski-skating and the diagonal stride techniques while gliding on snow increases your balance, and balance is critically important in all sports and as we age to prevent falls.

6. Skiing increases your cardiac output (your heart's ability to pump blood) and increases your oxygen carrying capacity (your body's ability to take in, oxygenate, transport and extract oxygen at the working muscle), or stated another way, increases your cardiovascular fitness.

7. It improves your visual acuity, which is your ability to sense terrain changes and snow undulations in bright and low light conditions.

8. Skiing improves self esteem and confidence. Enjoying a ski will help you feel healthier, happier and more invigorated due to increased blood flow and heightened senses.

9. Its helps cultivate an appreciation for our surroundings and environment. Quality time on a ski trail in glorious winter conditions helps us all appreciate the natural world we often take for granted.

10.Skiing with family and friends is a great bonding opportunity, resulting in stronger friendships and relationships; this reduces stress and provides an opportunity to re-charge our tired batteries

Randy Clark, exercise laboratory manager at UW

Date published: 1/13/2015