Proctor Ski Area at night.

Earlier this month, Proctor Academy opened its new Nordic Center featuring an expanded trail system with snowmaking capability. The trails are also currently undergoing the FIS homologation certification process to host races in the future.

Proctor Ski Area, the school’s privately owned and operated alpine and Nordic training facility, was recognized last winter by Ski Magazine’s prestigious Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence. This most recent enhancement to the Nordic trails at the Proctor Ski Area continues the academy’s tradition of capital projects focused on environmental sustainability.

Beginning in the early summer, trail design by nationally-renowned designer John Morton showcased the scope of work involved in this significant trail enhancement project. Morton’s expertise designing trail systems has brought him to some of the nation’s leading Nordic centers, including Middlebury College’s Rikert Nordic Center and the Jackson Ski Touring Center in Jackson, N.H. His efforts designing an efficient trail system were critical as sustainable timber harvesting under the management of Proctor’s Woodland Manager, David Pilla, took place to allow proper trail width for FIS homologation (certification in process).

As with any forestry project on Proctor’s campus, the harvested trees were fully utilized both internally for firewood and sold as lumber on the open market.

Snowmaking on the Nordic trails.

The added trail width of 20 feet on downhills and flat sections of trail, and 30 feet required of climbs on the 2.5 km homologated loop, allows ample room for three side-by-side racers to ski an incline simultaneously. In addition to the added trail width and grading, the project installed snowmaking on a 1.4 km homologated sprint loop.

With the enhanced trail width and snow-making, Proctor Ski Area’s crew will now be able to access the entire Nordic loop with its new Prinoth BR 350 groomer. The trail system will also allow all levels of Nordic races to take place at the Proctor Ski Area, including internationally scored competitions.

The Nordic trails are open to the public for the same nominal $5 fee charged prior to the recent trail improvements. If visiting the Proctor Ski Area to use the Nordic Center, please check in at Yarrow’s Lodge before accessing the trail network.

Release courtesy of Proctor Academy