"I Want a World Cup in Minnesota..."

How did an idea, born in the aftermath of an Olympic gold medal, become an event that would fight past COVID - and one of the most snow-deprived winters in Minnesota history - to become what Bill McKibben called "a storybook weekend like few others in the history of American endurance sport..."

Listen and find out!

Discover the thrilling world of Nordic skiing in Minnesota with special guests Deb Diggins, mother of Olympic gold medalist Jesse Diggins, and Claire Wilson, executive director of the Loppet Foundation. Learn about the incredible journey to bring the World Cup to Minnesota, the sport's impact on communities, and how anyone can get involved in this exhilarating winter activity. From insider tips on getting started to the future of Nordic skiing in a changing climate, this episode offers a fascinating look at why Minnesota is a top destination for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned pro or curious beginner, you'll be inspired to hit the trails after hearing these passionate perspectives on one of Minnesota's favorite winter pastimes.

Important links:
- The Loppet Foundation
- Share Winter Foundation
- Skinnyski.com
- Minnesota Youth Ski League
- Minnesota Nordic Ski Association
- The Great MN Ski Pass
- Explore MN - Cross-Country Skiing

Credits: 
Producer: Randolph Briley
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by: Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

Credits:
Producer: Randolph Briley
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

Transcript

MN Nordic Ski Ep. 3 - Final Cut_7.8.24

 Jesse, you can ask for anything you want right now. What would you like? And I think he was waiting for her to say, like a car or something like that. And Jesse said, I want a World Cup in Hey everyone and welcome to Explore Minnesota More. I'm your host, Lauren McGinty, and I'm the director of Explore Minnesota. And I'm your co-host, Sarah Stroman, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We're both passionate about Nordic skiing and the incredible community it creates. That's right. In this podcast, we'll be exploring the world of Nordic skiing in Minnesota. From how to get started to the amazing benefits it offers, we'll also be diving into the stories of the people who make the sport so special, including a few behind the scenes glimpses of how the Lafayette Foundation successfully pulled off an epic weekend with the 2024 Lafayette World Cup. We'll be interviewing two incredible women who have made an enormous impact on the Nordic skiing community. We have Deb Diggins, board member of the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association and mother of the one and only Jesse Diggins, world champion and Olympic gold medalist. We're also joined by Claire Wilson, executive director of the Lafayette Foundation, an organization dedicated to creating a vibrant and inclusive Nordic skiing community in Minnesota. So whether you're a seasoned pro or simply curious about this amazing sport, stick around. We've got a fantastic show lined up for you. Welcome to Claire and Deb. Thank you. Thanks. Well, we want to kick off the episode with talking a little bit more about the World Cup. So tell us more about the event, what it meant to have it in Minnesota, and what the journey was like for both of you, because obviously you're both kind of having two separate journeys to make this event possible. Um, well, I guess I could start with the very beginnings because I was there, and then I'll let Claire take over. Um, for the actual execution of it. But the the idea for the World Cup in Minnesota began with my daughter, Jessie Diggins. Um, and it began the day she won a gold medal in Pyeongchang, South Korea. And the day after she won the medal, we were at the USA House celebrating with teammates and all kinds of us people, fans who were there at the Olympics. And her agent, who said, did Jesse. Jesse, you can ask for anything you want right now. What would you like? And I think he was waiting for her to say like a car or something like that. And Jesse said, I want a World Cup in Minnesota. And he paused for a moment and said, well, that will be a big lift, but we can work on it. And that's really where it started. And from there, Jessie came home with her gold medal and, um, started working on, um, how to make that happen. And, uh, we decided that the foundation, um, was the place where it could really get done. And so we approached the executive director at the time, John Munger. Um, and he went stumping with us at the Capitol, and he, um, put together fundraisers and, uh, he and Jesse did a lot of work to get it off the ground. Uh, as you may know, it almost happened in 2020. It was scheduled we were days away from the event, and it became, I believe, the first big Covid casualty, uh, in the state. Um, so that was canceled. And, uh, then there were a lot of broken pieces on the ground. and I'll let Claire take it over from there. She really picked it up and and got it going again. Right? So right as Deb was saying, that this Herculean effort had already happened to bring the World Cup to Minnesota. So, um, when I came to the Lopate shortly after that cancellation, it was very clear that we wanted to pick up the mantle and try again. Um, and we, of course, have learned a lot from getting so close to having it happen that first time. And so that set us up well, because, you know, it's highly unusual for a little nonprofit to run an international sporting event. Um, but the excitement of having world class ski trails in the heart of Minneapolis, we just could not not figure out a way to promote that to the world. And so, um. You know, it took, um, a big effort on the part of a lot of people, but we were really excited to, to bring it to fruition. And just a few months ago, just a month ago, almost exactly a month ago. Well, I just have to say, I'm really glad that Jesse didn't ask for a car, because having the World Cup in Minnesota was way better than that. Um, I assume she thinks so too. But, you know, I just I want to say that, um, as a as someone who was a competitive Nordic skier on a very different level in high school, I was part of my high school teams inaugural Nordic ski team and now the mother of a high school Nordic skier. Um, you know, just I know what it meant to so many Minnesotans and and kids, right, who look up to Jesse Diggins and other elite athletes. Um, outside of of the, you know, the arena, the sports arenas and and enjoy those sports in the outdoors. What it meant to have the World Cup here in Minnesota. And so I want to, you know, say thank you for that too. And, um, what a what a great story. You know the impact. I'm so glad you mentioned that, because the impact it had on the youth who were there, you know, both youth who've been deeply connected to cross-country skiing, including high school Sikh skiers, you know, who glitter up for Jesse all the time, boys and girls, and who were just, like, so thrilled to see her ski there. But then also the international athletes like, inspired so many, and we're giving their bibs to the youth who were there. And I had many people contact us afterwards to say, you know, my kid who never seen cross-country skiing went to bed that night dreaming of being a World Cup racer. And to me that was like obviously one of the most powerful things. Because clearly, if you're a baseball fan or a basketball fan or a football fan, you've seen your sport, you've seen your heroes, like most likely play in front of you. And so part of the incredible collective joy of that event was having all of us get to see all these incredible athletes doing something we've loved or couldn't even have dreamed we would love, like right here in the city. So it really had an impact on all the youth and families that were there. And it had an impact on the athletes who competed as well. Um, I think one refrain that Jesse often used when, you know, she was trying to explain why it was so important to get the World Cup to Minnesota, not just, um, you know, partially for sure. A big part of it was to be able to provide that inspiration. She knew it would it would provide for people in the state. Um, also the inspiration for the athletes who had an opportunity to compete. Um, when you hold a World Cup, your host country is able to start extra athletes. So it gave up and coming athletes the opportunity to ski a World Cup race with their heroes in their home base area, where they were being cheered all the way around the course. Um, and the athletes who have been on the World Cup for years competing in Europe for the USA, have never experienced anything even close to what happened in Minnesota for them. So it was a really big win all the way around. I love what you're saying, Deb, about the impact. You know, what Claire was saying about the impact of an event and having these elite, famous athletes come and what that means for the community. But also, Deb, what you're saying about what having a community rally around an event does for the athletes. And I think that interplay is, is really neat in these these outdoor kind of sports. Right. It's not just, um, kind of a given that you will see these people. And I think when we think about kind of those more common arena sports, it is about kind of what the athletes, the elite athletes bring to that to, to raise the publicity. And so I love what you're talking about. It's a give and take, and it's as much about what the community brings to those athletes and the opportunities it creates for athletes, in addition to what those athletes bring to the the community and and inspiring youth. Yeah, I think that's a good point, Sarah. And I think one of the interesting things, too, is clear. You know, you all work with a lot of underserved communities and you want to create more access for outdoor recreation. And so how do you think events like this and then all the other work you're doing are really. Opening up the doors for maybe historically underserved communities and in the sport, but also just in general. Winter rec. Right. So one of the joys of our work is that we are connecting lots of different people, both to Nordic skiing and just to the outdoors. I mean, part of being able to operate out of Theodore Wirth Park, which is, you know, a park the size of Central Park in Minneapolis that spans our highest and lowest income neighborhoods and all kinds of diversity. Um, is being able to welcome folks into that space and introduce them or, you know, strengthen their knowledge, um, base of a sport. So with the World Cup, you know, we were really committed to making it free and accessible. Um, we did that with the help of the Cher Winter Foundation. But but allowing for just everyone to come in to the park and experience that, I think built on a lot of the work that we do every day in the park, which is anyone can come access this public park. We get equipment. We, you know, folks can be on equipment all the time. We provide transportation to our families and youth. We do everything that we can to decrease any barrier to participation. Um, and for cross-country skiing, it's it's been huge to develop relationships. People, you know, start to know the park. They know our staff, they become comfortable. And then something like the World Cup just elevates for everyone, you know, kind of the possibility of the sport. And then, you know, maintaining these ski trails in the heart of the city that are truly world class. Like when the athletes talked about their experience on our course, they really were genuinely impressed. And I think then our kids came out the next day and were like, I ski on, you know, I ski on the same course. Jesse skied on and I can go, you know, it just that kind of, um, modeling and experience just, I think, cracked the doors even more open for the communities we've been working with. Um, and that said, it's it's constant, deliberate and intentional, um, exposure and access so that, you know, these traditionally very white dominant activities and spaces, um, are opening up. Well. And just knowing the accessibility, I mean, how has it changed in the last 20, 30 years? I mean, since, for example, when Jesse first started, you know, what it was like then versus what you're seeing now and the expanded opportunities for people. Yeah. You know, I think Minnesota's always had a great ski culture. Um, I think partly because if you if you don't find a way to enjoy snow, it's going to be a very long winter in Minnesota. And and when you when you're excited about something like skiing I mean every year the first snow. I'm like a little kid, you know? Yay! It's snowing. We get to ski soon. And most skiers I know are like that. So it's it's it's a really important to have that available. And, um, you know, I think the biggest changes that I've seen is everything's grown. So when Jesse was young, there was the youth ski league. It's now an enormous program, the Minnesota Youth Ski League. There's multiple different youth programs. Um, the trails have grown. And I think a big thing that's changed, it's snowmaking. And, um, you know, the the Leopard Foundation was a real leader in bringing that to Minnesota. Um, because as we know, our winters are not as reliable as they used to be. And so that's that's been a real game changer for supporting everything from the youth programs where they know they can get on snow every week. Now to the high school programs. Minnesota has the largest high school, um teams, the largest number of high school skiers in the whole country. Um, and they they need somewhere to ski. So I think the advent of snowmaking, um, now there's snowmaking in several of the Three Rivers parks. There's snow making at Battle Creek, snowmaking in Duluth. Um, that that's been a real game changer. And also, I think something that's really come about is the Minnesota Ski Pass. Um, the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association works with the DNR. Um, and that ski pass helps pay for the grooming that happens on public trails and state parks. And I you can see the improvement, um, in the ski trail maintenance and grooming that's happened because of the ski pass. Yeah. I'm really curious about both of your thoughts on the importance of, you know, those those public spaces and the public investments, not only in creating the space but in maintaining the space and and the role between, you know, individuals and a community and public entities and, um, organizations like Lafayette Foundation. I mean, what is that partnership? What's the secret sauce in that to make it all, all work? Well, you know, I think the Lovett is a great example of how private public partnerships can evolve to to make public space even more accessible. Um, so, you know, the little bit has operated out of Theodore Wirth Park in a, in a formal relationship with the Minneapolis Park and Rec board. And that really evolved around this snowmaking because, you know, the Loped had the volunteers and the will and the expertise, um, to really expand and strengthen that snowmaking and of course, a volunteer base that was very anxious to groom and design and make those trails like world class trails that they are. Um, and, you know, and wanted to maintain that commitment to access and to making public trails public. And so I do think as that relationship evolved and the Park board recognized that expertise, and they entered into a formal agreement and continue to steward the space. It's been a really successful model because as a small, smallish, but mighty nonprofit, we can be flexible and, you know, lean on our expertise in ways that, you know, larger systems maybe couldn't. And so we've really been able to work hand in hand with the park board, um, to better the skiing experience and, you know, mountain biking in the summer and other trail extensions. And I think we can see that in other public spaces where volunteers are grooming or entities or assisting and helping the maintenance and design of the trails. And it's a really wonderful story of how, like, the ski community came together, um, with, uh, with a public entity and said, not only do we want to make this better, we want to keep making it better for all, because the public lands are I mean, we groom the chain of lakes and Theodore Wirth and Columbia and Hiawatha Lake. Basically, if you ski in Minneapolis, you're skiing on a trail that a little bit maintains. Um, and that also is what makes the sport continue to grow, because if you can walk out of your house and hop on a trail or, you know, that's the secret sauce, so So we would love to see that modeled in other places in ways, because access to those trails is critical. And then developing the snowmaking, you know, you need the support of larger. It's very, um, it's a very expensive operation, I think Three Rivers and Battle Creek, these are all like partnerships with, you know, counties and, and established systems. So, um, it really is it takes the whole community to make this work in an accessible way. Well, and, Deb, do you see that kind of coming back around you when you see Jesse or kind of other skiers? Are they volunteering a lot of time in their communities and helping build those programs? Because I think certainly those programs got them to where they are. So are you seeing a lot of that kind of volunteer time and giving back to the community? Yes. Um, actually, the Saint Croix Valley, where we live, uh, when we moved here, we had no idea that it was a hotbed of wonderful Nordic skiers. And we weren't actually, we were just kind of recreational skiers ourselves. But, um, we got involved with the youth ski league, and, um, ended up by heavily involved with the Willow River branch and ended up, you know, having people come to volunteer to teach kids to ski, who ranged from people who had barely learned to ski themselves, to people who had skied at world junior level and everything in between. But what I've really found, and I know this community best, is that people literally move back after they go to college or start a career. They move back here because they want to be part of this community, and part of it is the ski community. And so the level of volunteer coaching that happens here, um, that is just unbelievable. Um, and the, the clubs and teams just have all the help they need because there are people willing to help others. And it it happens a lot on an informal basis too. So, you know, I have a friend who hadn't skied for 20 years and decided she wanted to ski this winter. So I took her out to Battle Creek, showed her the ropes, help your wax skis. And she did the Prince Hawken race at the Berkey this year and was thrilled and is now a lifelong skier. But that happens at all levels, you know, and and I see skiers doing it all the time. They're a very generous group. Know, I love to hear that. And I think, you know, to your point, too, about people coming back. I also love to hear that, you know, Explore Minnesota is working on getting people to move here. And I think one of the big questions we always get is, isn't it just cold there? But the answer is that we get outside, right? We we engage in our outdoor activities. Do you see when um, and maybe this is more of a question for Clare, but when you introduce young people to Nordic skiing, is there interest in even more beyond that or are you seeing kind of growth in other areas? You mentioned even mountain biking when there's not snow on the ground. So what does it look like when you see a youth getting into skiing for the first time, and how that kind of expands their horizons? It's it's wonderful because it, you know, not you know, cross-country skiing is amazing. It's not going to be everyone's jam. Like not every youth takes to it immediately. But what we have discovered is that and we work, um, you know, with kids pretty intensively so year round. And we really develop those relationships with them. And if skiing isn't the thing, it has definitely gotten them outside, disconnected from their devices, connected to one another. And then they're like, they're really into nature hiking or birding or fat tire biking or snowshoeing or just going, you know. Um, alpine. You know, uh, we have snowboarding at Theodore Wirth or tubing. Like, they start to love winter. And as we've been saying, if you're going to live here, you need to love winter, or you should, because it will enhance your life and experience. And we definitely see that with the kids. And I'd say a lot of our kids grow up with us and then go on to be our coaches, run the tubing hill, you know, be the people who help rent out the skis. So definitely it doesn't necessarily have to be that they hook on to cross-country skiing, but we want them to hook on to that experience of being outside in the winter. And then it's even easier to be outside in the summer, where again, it's mountain biking and things that are even, you know, more accessible in some ways because you really low barrier and a lot of people get involved in their community. Um, just to go back to the community activities again, um, there's a number of ski clubs across the state. Uh, and they do, you know, everything from basically supporting grooming of the trails to, um, to really creating a lot of activities, running races. Um, the clubs are pretty much always all volunteer, and they're really at the heart of a lot of the ski communities that operate around the state. Yeah. I think, um, I think this theme of, um, the, the community aspect of Nordic skiing. Right. Both that, um, community is important to create opportunities for Nordic skiing, but that also, um, Nordic skiing create helps create um, community too. I'm curious, um, what you guys have seen in, in Deb particularly, um, from your perspective over the time that Jesse has been skiing, just the the kind of business side of what it does for communities to from, you know, whether it's a tourism aspect and people coming in to enjoy skiing or, or watch events or, you know, this is a pretty, um, you can be an intensive, um, equipment based, um, sport if you're, uh, at a more elite level. Just curious how you've seen that aspect change over time as, as the popularity of the sport has grown, too. And we'll start with that. Clare. Maybe I'll let you, since the World Cup was such an obvious example of that. Well, I mean, I think over the last so, you know. This growth in the sport like has, you know, it has a ton to do with Jessie. I mean really like her rising star and the number of people that she inspired. Um, and then that coupled with Covid and people realizing that they wanted to be outside, you know, for the last couple of years. I mean, I would say ski shops, you know, we have several ski shops which are really prominent and have really stabilized during this time. We sell right out of Little Theater Worth Park. We sell over 10,000 ski passes a year. So that's been steadily increasing. And so for everybody who buys a ski pass, you have to imagine they're also, you know, getting equipment at some point likely. Right. Um, but they're also going out after they ski. I mean, the whole thing is an experience. Um, and so I do think it continues to have a really positive economic impact. And going back to the commitment to snowmaking, because with the climate, we can't depend on snow. I mean, our economy is going to shift because of this lack of natural snow, for better or worse. I mean, we're going to have to calibrate our winter recreation opportunities. Um, but the investment by local communities and snowmaking means we're going to keep these snow sports alive. And I think Minnesota's economy continues to strengthen because people continue to become invested in these sports. So, um, I think that the rising and continued interest and what we saw with the World Cup, I mean, 40,000 people wanting to come watch a ski race and not just watch it, but then try it. Um, I think it's just going to continue to have, um, that kind of impact. The more and more we, we continue to raise the visibility of the sport as both an elite competition, but also just that, you know, once you outfit your whole family, that's a that's an investment. Yeah. Yeah. And and skiers do travel to ski and um, as we saw with the World Cup, I mean, people came from all over the country and internationally to see those races. They filled up hotels, they ate at restaurants. Um, and even smaller local ski races have an impact on their economies. Um, you know, the more, um, Minnesota races, the Bemidji races, um, people travel, they stay, they need lodging, they need food. Um, and uh, and then of course, they are um, also spending on, you know, their equipment and their wax and, um, you know, and yeah, then they go out with their friends afterwards. So it's even when you're skiing locally, it's pretty much a tradition, uh, you know, end up at the coffee shop or the brewery or somewhere. So, um, there's very definitely a positive impact on the economy. Well, and we skiers will chase the snow, too, right? So I've taken my state park pass all over the state when they're I'm the opposite of everyone else. I see them all in the winter and try to, you know, ski all the trails when there isn't snow, you know. So I think it does. People travel even within the state to ski. Mhm. And I'm glad you experience our fabulous Minnesota state parks in the winter because um, they're different places right. In the winter than, than in other seasons. And that is what we hope people will do, is explore them throughout the year to experience those seasonal differences. And what, what unique opportunities are offered at different times a year. So as a, uh, have I have skied before, but I'm not a frequent Nordic skier. So what? You know, in terms of people getting started, clearly we've kind of demonstrated you can do it at any age and it's really accessible. But what are some ways that people can get more into Nordic skiing or get started for the first time? What are some suggestions for kind of getting out there? Because it can feel intimidating. Uh, you know, getting out on skis and being afraid to fall. Although I don't, you know, you were wearing the right clothing. It shouldn't be an issue. Right. But what are some ideas that you have for that? Either one of you. Well, Jeff, do you want to take that or. Well, I know the Lopate does a great job of that, so why don't you start there? Well, a lot of what you do, I think. Well, it's a little bitter. I mean, I just always encourage, especially, you know, if you're a family to go, you know, before, you know, don't be intimidated. Go come to the Lopez or go to a Three Rivers Park or somewhere where there's rental equipment and get out, you know, get some rental equipment so you can try it. Take a lesson. We have great lessons, but so do other places. You know, you can do a group family lesson or you can just, um, you know, take, uh, take a private lesson, but, you know, get a friend or an instructor to kind of go with you, just like Deb was saying when she took her friend to Battle Creek Lake. You know, I really I highly encourage people to make it a community event, but go try some equipment. It is fairly inexpensive to go rent equipment and take a little lesson or take a friend out on the trails. Um, and you know, knowing how to dress is huge. Just dressing and layers. And probably anybody listening to this has what they need to dress in, in their closet, you know, um, and just make sure that you're layered and ready because I think the biggest surprise for everyone is always that you get much warmer when you're cross-country skiing than you think you're going to get. You're going to be hot, not cold. More than the more likely than not. Um, so, you know, just doing a little bit of research around dressing appropriately, but definitely just going out as a group and giving it a try or taking a lesson. The little bit has great lessons. Three rivers has lessons. Signing your kid up for the Minnesota Youth Ski League. They have a wonderful program that is very accessible for youth to learn. So, um, even though it does take a little bit of equipment and a little will to get out into the cold lake, those two things are easy to they're easy barriers to overcome, um, especially in Minneapolis or Stillwater, some of these areas where we have, you know, a lot of different opportunities to rent or just come experience. We also, like Three Rivers, have many free days during the winter where you can just come rent for free and try it out and get on the trails a little bit. So. Yeah, I did too, that, um, in the years that we were involved with the Minnesota Youth Ski League. A whole lot of parents learned how to ski along with their four and five year olds because we, uh, in our club, required the parents to come out with them, even if they weren't on skis. And so they eventually decided they wanted to ski, too. And, uh, they ended up all doing it. Um, another thing we have here is we have an incredible resource in the Midwest. It's called Skinny ski.com. It's a website that is devoted to all things cross-country skiing. It's run by Bruce Edelman, and on the Skinny ski website, um, trails are listed, people put in trail reports so you can see where to go ski. They people will tell you how hard or easy it is to ski there, whether it's icy or nice conditions. They do um, also show you know where you can purchase things. They have ski shops, they show rental information, they show some club information and lessons. So it's a great place to get started. If you want to just kind of learn something about cross-country skiing, you can go to skinny.com and and find out, you know what, what is going on and where are things at. It's kind of one good central resource. Um, and then the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association, uh, MSR also has a website that lists clubs, member clubs. So it's another place where people could check out a club and find out what they're offering. Some of them offer lessons or they can direct you where to go. Um, how to get started, especially in a smaller community. I think that's a great resource where you don't have quite as many options as you do in the metro area. Um, and you'll just meet people who are interested in skiing, and they might just say, come on out with me on Saturday and I'll show you how to do it. So I think that's important to I mean, and we talked about this earlier, kind of how welcoming the the community of Nordic skiers is. And I know I, I have found that too, um, you know, in my experience and, um, my husband was the only one in our family who had never skied. And my son and I took him out to Three Rivers last year for his first ski. And, you know, you get, I think, as an adult, Lauren, this is probably part of what you were getting at in your question to as an adult who's never skied right, am I going to be intimidated? Am I going to be embarrassed when I fall? And and the answer is no. People are really, um, welcoming. They're very tolerant. They're really helpful with advice when you're out there on the course. And so we talk a lot about, you know, getting youth involved. But it's something you can learn as an adult too. And I think feel like you have the support of other skiers in it. You know, an interesting effect of the World Cup that I certainly wasn't expecting was that a number of of adults I know who had not tried skiing before said I was inspired to start skiing by seeing these races. It just it's it's looks like such a cool thing to do and I want to try it. So, um, you know, it does all kind of work together. You know, the whole the whole system from top to bottom. Well, and I think it's interesting that it can be both an individual sport as well as kind of a group gathering. right? You don't necessarily have to be out on your own, and I think that's what makes it more approachable and even to the point that you were making clear that we're almost solely talking about Twin Cities, but the fact that you can go to a golf course and go cross-country skiing in the middle of the winter, or you can go up north and you can be kind of in the woods. I mean, it's just so many different options. And I think that's what makes it really fun and engaging for people who maybe want to try a winter sport but don't really know which one is the best one to start with. This is a great opportunity. Yeah, absolutely. And it's like Deb said, if you can walk, you can ski. And it's really true. And, you know, even if you are in the city when you're at Theo or you're at Battle Creek, you don't know you're in the city. Like you get a little respite from the city. Just, you know, there are days maybe where you do want to be alone or days when I'm out, um, on the trails where you don't know you're in the city until you crest the hill and see the skyline, and then you're like, oh, yeah, I'm having this complete, natural like experience in the city. And I just, I can't encourage people enough to try that because that is the best medicine. And as someone who grew up in Louisiana and did not learn to ski until I was an adult, I can definitely say you can do it and it will make you happy for the rest of your life. And the one thing we didn't mention yet, but I know several of us have dogs as family members is that there is a sport called ski during which is absolutely fun. And basically there's a harness for your dog and a stretchy rope and you go out with the dog. I was doing that yesterday out in the new snow that we had with my dog, and we both had a great time. And, um, it's just another option for people to get out on their skis and, and bring the family pet along to and have some fun. It sounds like we we could start promoting this as an antidote to the winter blues, right? Yeah. When it's feeling a little dreary, maybe in winter you can get out on your skis and feel like you're on vacation, even if you haven't left your home city. Mhm. Exactly. Yeah, I don't know. My dog is a Yorkshire terrier so I might need a different dog to take out skewering but you know. Well we'll see. Actually I've seen a pair of wiener dogs out there. I've seen corgis. The whole nine yards round. Yeah. Love it. Skiing. I mean, I think one of the the big things here that I'm hearing is just how important the community is. And maybe it's what is kind of the outlook. What are you all seeing as is the growth opportunities in Nordic skiing. Well, you know, we focused a lot on the accessibility. But you know there's also there is the growth of the US ski team and the growth of our high school teams. And, you know, the Loped, along with the Berkey Foundation, supports a pro ski team that practices in the Twin Cities. And we've now seen the US ski team in particular this season have one of their best seasons ever. And I think, you know, it's lovely to watch the sport continue to grow and develop, particularly in the US. And I mean obviously again, Jesse's. Then the person to kind of continue to to promote that development and embody it. But I think it's really wonderful to think about people seeing themselves as that, as a potential. Uh, you know, I, I'm going to say career path. I know it's I know it's a difficult career path, like any professional sport. But, you know, I would love to keep seeing kids dreaming of being pro cross-country skiers because it's like any sport. Um, I think if you're, um, able to compete at that level, it's a really exciting experience. And and we have a lot of high schoolers right now who are seeing that and seeing that path even more clearly as the US ski team develops, and Minnesota's definitely a big feeder for that. We saw a lot of Minnesota athletes competing at the World Cup, and so I think continuing to get events like the World Cup here in the US and spreading that love from the Midwest out, I think will continue to strengthen the sport because like basketball or football, where it's very popular and people see it in the mainstream a lot. The more and more we can push cross-country skiing into the mainstream, I think the more and more we'll see it grow, because it it is it is still a bit of a niche sport. I mean, you can't turn on NBC every day and see, you know, um, see a World Cup. But I do feel like, uh, as it, as the profile continues to grow and we continue to have people like Jesse to cheer on or Gus Schumacher or others who are, you know, coming up and being, um. Role models for so many of us. I just think that's an exciting thing that's happening right now. And Minnesota is clearly because of Jesse and so many other skiers coming out of the Midwest and our our deep history and commitment to cross country skiing. I just I think it's an exciting time for cross-country skiing in the US. Yeah, I, I totally agree with Claire and, and with the fact that that whole ecosystem that produces those top athletes, it starts with the youth ski league groups and then the high school groups and the community groups and and in all, they all support each other. And when those kids are dreaming big, having that community behind them, um, is huge. You know, I know Jesse still carries onto the World Cup, you know, the belief of, well, a lot of people now. But it really started with her Saint Croix Valley community that supported her and said, we believe you can do it when she needed some help to get going, they were there. And and that belief in her abilities to go far means so much. And it's it's something that I think Minnesota's particularly good at providing. And, um, it really makes a difference. So I just, I want to ask because I'm curious, I, I hear you both give a very positive outlook for the future of Nordic skiing. And, Claire, a few minutes ago, you mentioned the topic of climate change. And obviously, you know, we experienced a very strange winter in Minnesota this year. And yet despite that, we were able to still hold that World Cup event. So, I mean, you mentioned snowmaking as being one critical thing, but I'm I'm just curious about how the two of you reconcile what we are seeing with a changing climate and a scenario that might well leave some people to believe. Nordic skiing is something we're going to look behind at, not something we're going to look forward to. And yet, you know, I hear the two of you having this very positive outlook. How do you help Minnesotans reconcile that? Well, I think we need to continue to promote. And this winter was very difficult for us because we were, you know, it was difficult because it was rarely cold enough to make snow. And then it wasn't snowing, but we could make snow. And we did have winter at Wirth consistently. But what we found was not that many people coming out to experience it, because if you looked out your window, you did not think winter was happening. So I feel like it's really incumbent on all of us who are cheerleaders for the sport. Um, to really keep making it known that even in a winter like this winter, you could have come and taken a lesson. You can come experience the trails, you can get out, um, in these venues where there's snow making. And we're going to have to really socialize that, because I do think in ten years it's going to be harder and harder to find a natural trail right outside your door. Now, that's not to say it won't happen, but I think we have to continue to promote that we can make snow, that we can provide these opportunities. That's one way you're going to go experience winter. It's going to look a little different. But we're going to make winter. We're going to make winter happen. And I think we showed this year I mean obviously we got the miracle snow that, you know, happened the day before and was a Valentine's Day gift. And but we could have held the race. Even if that snow had not happened, it wouldn't have been as pretty, but it would have happened. And I think, you know, it's just not on everyone's radar that snow making happens or that it can happen for cross-country skiing. I think we're all really socialized to think, well, I can go out west and ski on a mountain no matter what because they're going to make snow. So we just have to keep socializing that with folks that you can cross-country ski. We make snow. They're beautiful loops. They're curated to be beautiful with beginner and advanced opportunities. Um, and I just think all of us are going to have to keep promoting winter. And as we, you know, it also has its own impact on the climate because it's a lot of water, it's a lot of energy. But I think the trade off is that we keep getting to experience winter as a community. Um, and so it's going to look different. I mean, our world is going to look different. We know that. But, um, I think what the Midwest has built up is a community committed to that experience. And we'll continue to expand snowmaking in areas where it makes sense and and promote it to folks. And Deb, I don't. I don't know what else you're thinking along those lines. I feel like for those of us who love winter, we're going to keep promoting it. But it's going to be it's a challenge. I mean, this we we were on the cusp of having, you know, I thought we might have to cancel that. The World Cup at one point. You know, in the lead up it was pretty heartbreaking. Yeah. I um yeah, I, I agree that that, you know, we're we're we are looking ahead because, um, folks like the Lopez Foundation are, are looking seriously at, at what is possible, what is likely to come in the future and, and making plans that encompass being able to continue our time on snow even with that. And and the other fact is Claire mentioned earlier that, you know, Minnesota is a large state. There's a number of microclimates, and when there isn't snow in one place, there often isn't another. It's a great opportunity to travel for a few hours, experience a whole different part of the state, maybe spend the weekend. We have some of our greatest family memories of little weekend road trips, chasing snow, um, you know, and got to visit a lot of parts of the state that we hadn't been to. So let's go to a site like Skinny Ski Com and see where there is snow. There's probably, Um, last winter was the exception, but most winters there is no somewhere. So there's always an opportunity to go somewhere and and go enjoy it. I love that that's a great plug for snow tourism because we are definitely we're trying to own winter in Minnesota. Uh, whether it wants to show up or not. Right. So we're we're happy to hear that people are kind of pushing folks in that direction. Um, any big news on the horizon? I know, um, we've got an Olympics in a few years coming up, so not quite yet, but anything else to share about Jesse or even the low bit? What are we? What are we seeing coming up? You know, for Jesse, I, I think, um, she was so energized by the opportunity to race in Minnesota. It was really her career dream, and she has said it meant more to her than her Olympic medals. Being able to race here in her home course, and she's definitely planning on racing for at least a couple more years through the next Olympics. Um, she's seeing, as Claire mentioned, more and more up and coming teammates ready to be on those medal stands with her. Um, I think I was amazed by how many people I met at the World Cup races who have been following cross-country ski racing, who knew the athletes who were online watching the races on the weekends. So my thought is keep, keep watching, keep enjoying, keep getting excited and energized by what's going on, um, around the world as well as in Minnesota and across the US. I love that. Yeah. One thing that we really tried to do in the lead up to the World Cup was, you know, really promote the other athletes, including the US ski team. But just so people would be ready and familiar with the skiers. And I think we too were taken by surprise by the crowds, knowing so many of the international skiers and cheering for them. And, um, and I think we will also continue to kind of keep pushing out, you know, the World Cup schedules and praising the folks who are getting podiums and just, you know, continuing to generate interest in the sport. And then, of course, locally, um, we are continuing to, you know, try to leverage the momentum of this amazing collective joy experience that happened in the park where, you know, um, the sport was elevated. That feeling of community and being outside in the winter was elevated and really, you know, hoping that next year that really we see that translate into more people coming out and trying it. You know, one thing about the low snow winter was right after the World Cup. It was like, ah, I want everybody to come back and try it. So we're going to keep, you know, raising that profile so that folks are ready next winter to come right back out and remember all that joy they experienced at the World Cup. And and then, of course, we have citizen races every year and we do the luminary and just lots of opportunity for people to keep experiencing it. And we will. You know, I can say with a lot of confidence we will continue to, you know, bring it back and just make the World Cup a part of our fabric, hopefully. Um, and I think the more that happens, just the more excitement will be generated around the sport. Well, it's just so cool to see Minnesota on the map, on the world stage. And you know, for a winter sport, I think it's awesome to I mean, there are obviously a lot, as you guys have both pointed out, um, of skiers that are known to people. But I think it's amazing that, you know, the athlete that has done the most for this sport in recent history is from Minnesota and is a woman too, right? So often the women are leaders for women athletes, but Jesse is a leader for all Nordic skiers, too. And I, I just think, um, it's it's so special. Uh, and so, you know, thank you for, for all of the work that Jessie has done and Deb and Clare that that you do. Um, I am hoping to that maybe, uh, each of you will share a secret ski spot. Is there a favorite place that, you know, Sauternes might not, uh, might not be the first place they they think about that that you want to share with us here. So Lauren and I can get out our skis and go try it. Oh, boy. Well, um, I'll tell you one that, um, that we've skied a lot and really enjoy is, um, will be William O'Brien State Park. Um, in just, uh, north of Stillwater, uh, by Marina and Saint Croix. Um. Lovely spot, nice little shelter that you can plug in your crock pot full of chili or whatever, and then go ski for a few hours, see some wildlife, and then come back and relax in the shelter. That's a great day in my book. Oh, I just like all the places. But you know, if you want to go further north, I think the pincushion trails are some of my favorite trails to ski you can. I always see a wolf out there? But then Lake Moriah, like that little shelter at Lake Moriah, is like one of my favorite getaways, just right outside the cities. And then, you know, Maple log in, Detroit Lakes. You talk about there can be no snow all the way to when you get there, you turn the corner and it's like, what Shangri-La. So I just another I you know, Deb's done a great job of promoting Bruce's skinny ski, but skinny ski will tell you all the great places and where the snow is, so definitely check that out. But there's so many beautiful spots in this state to to go experience. You can't go wrong is what I'm hearing. But a state park is always a great spot. Exactly. Nice plug. Sarah. Well, thank you to so much for joining us on our podcast. We are really excited to be able to talk more about Nordic skiing and get the word out. And we really hope that next year it, you know, gets even bigger, especially after the World Cup, and we hope the World Cup comes back. That would be incredible. So thank you for joining us. We so appreciate it. Um, and we hopefully we'll have you back on. Maybe we can have Sarah and I do some live skiing and we'll record that for the podcast. Yes. All right, let's do it. I'm in. It sounds Wow, it was so inspiring to chat with Deb and Claire about everything Nordic skiing in the state of Minnesota. Absolutely. You know, it's just it's so amazing to see how Nordic skiing has touched their lives and how they've used it to create positive change in our Minnesota communities. And devastated about raising an Olympic champion really highlights the importance of family support in the community in which you're doing that sport and how you're raising your kids to be kind of active in that space. Yeah, and Claire's work with the Lapierre Foundation shows just how much the impact that Nordic skiing can have on building a strong and inclusive community, and that it's not just a sport, it really is a way of life. Yeah, I think one of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that anyone can get involved in Nordic skiing like me, with limited experience or regardless of their background. Yeah, that's so true. I was a Nordic skier in high school and I haven't ski for a long time, but I got back on my skis last year and, uh, pulled my husband in with our son, who is a is a high school skier. And so whether you're looking for a new way to stay active, a way to connect with nature and meet new people, Nordic skiing really has something to offer for everyone. And you know, we hope this episode has inspired you to give Nordic skiing and try. Whether it's in northern Minnesota or it's in the Twin Cities itself, it's a really great way to get involved in this incredible community. And if you enjoyed this show, be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with Nordic Skiing in Minnesota. Thanks for tuning in and we'll see you next time on Explore Minnesota more.