After much anticipation, the Mt Sopris Nordic Council (MSNC) is set to unveil its recently renovated grooming operations building at the Spring Gulch Trail System. Nearly five years in the making, the building’s update is part of MSNC’s capital improvement campaign to enhance operations and improve skiers’ experiences.
Situated just outside of Carbondale, Spring Gulch is known for its rustic feel and spectacular views. Nordic enthusiasts can roam over 28k of groomed terrain located on private land owned by the North Thompson Cattlemen’s Association and Crystal Springs Ranch. MSNC pays the lease, but visitors enjoy free skiing throughout the winter. It’s almost safe to say that Spring Gulch is the Valley’s beloved home for nordic skiing, and an estimated 20,000 annual visitors would probably agree.
Growth is often coupled with change, and time for reflection is needed. “We knew from community feedback that people wanted to see a higher level of grooming at Spring Gulch,” said Rachel Bachman Perkins, MSNC’s executive director. As a result, the capital campaign created the operations enhancement goal, which meant the outdated grooming building needed improvement.
“We now have three snowmobiles, a snowcat and four seasonal staff. It’s just a whole different scale of operation,” said Perkins. “We have definitely outgrown the capacity and utility of the building, and we were limited in what we could offer for grooming.”
Originally constructed in 1996 by a team of volunteers led by former MSNC board president Michael Hassig, the building’s basic structure included a tin roof and concrete roster block material. However, significant wear and tear started to accumulate. The cattle grazing on the land during the warmer months rubbed against the roster block and eroded the exterior; power, insulation and lighting were absent; the garage doors did not fully close and rodents often found their way inside. These issues created difficult working conditions, put the equipment at risk and left the 20-year-old snowcat, Cinnamon (generously donated by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails), outside.
“Last year, the goal was to use the snowcat more often,” said Dom Eymere, Spring Gulch’s head groomer. “We wanted to get it inside and available without having to preheat it in the cold temperatures. Having it enclosed, we can really work on it and maintain it. The key is to be able to do the daily maintenance to prevent any breakdowns so we’re always 100% ready.” With a $300,000 budget, the building is Spring Gulch’s most expensive project to date. “This is the most important investment we’re making right now in the trail system,” said Perkins. “It will sustain and enhance our grooming operations over the next 20 years.”
Breaking ground this past September, the project was led by Bruce Barth and the team at Red Brick Architecture, which offers both architect and contractor services. Barth, a longtime Spring Gulch skier, donated his time and expertise to design and build and navigate Pitkin County’s permitting process.
“I’ve been donating money for awhile, and it’s part of my retirement plan to groom up there,” laughed Barth. “I was happy to help before even knowing what the project was.”
Focusing on sustainable efficiency, the building now includes an additional 700 square feet for the snowcat, energy efficient windows and indoor lighting, insulation and small space heaters, a reinforced exterior, new garage doors and a solar-powered battery system that will power the snowcat’s engine block heater, radios and other small equipment.
Barth stayed true to MSNC’s scrappy and nimble reputation, by repurposing materials and welcoming community collaboration. Local organizations, such as Sunsense Solar and Crystal River Civil Engineering, provided nonprofit pricing, and Mike Uncapher of Western Vegetation Management, Andy Braudis of Terralink Structures and Kevin Passmore of ASIR Seismic Engineering offered extensive insight, all of which helped the project stay under budget.
“It is such a great community who have been involved over the years,” said Eymere. “There’s nothing better than nordic.”
The future at Spring Gulch
For local skiers, Spring Gulch is more than a destination, it’s a place to connect with each other and the land. MSNC’s capital improvement campaign goals reflect the community’s interest. While the construction of the grooming operations building covers the bulk of the operations enhancement goal, acquiring more equipment is still needed.
The second goal, created by the actuality of climate change and reduced snowpack, is to support the land’s climate resiliency. Already underway, the campaign has opened new terrain at higher elevation, opened the new Marion Gulch parking lot and coordinated vegetation management. Recent trail maintenance days focused on protecting the trails, removing oak and aspen to help regenerate the land and enhancing the cattle’s forage value. All debris was repurposed and spread in areas prone to mud.
The campaign’s proposed budget of $750,000 is nearly reached, with substantial help coming from Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, Backbone Media, the Town of Carbondale, the Villafranco and Osmia Families and private donors.
“We do a lot with a relatively small budget,” said Perkins. “That’s possibly because of how many people are willing to give time and services and just help us get to where we are today.”
Spring Gulch’s membership program is separate from the capital improvements campaign. Visit www.springgulch.org to become a member and learn more about the campaign.