Celebrating its 40th anniversary in December 2006, the Oregon Nordic Club—a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation—serves as an advocate for 12 cross country ski chapters across the state. Securing statewide liability insurance is one of the most important benefits offered to the chapters.

Oregon Nordic Club president Cassie Giddings describes the club's structure: "This form of organization was selected in order to legally protect individuals of the club and to provide a useable vehicle for carrying out the interests of a widely spread group of people. We have articles of incorporation and by-laws that govern our actions." While the club's mission broadly includes providing means for enjoying and promoting greater participation in outdoor recreation, its focus is on winter sports.

The board of directors meets three times a year to conduct the business of the club. Paperwork aside, the club hosts the annual John Craig Memorial Wilderness Ski Event, the second oldest ski race in Oregon. "The 30 km ski goes up and over McKenzie Pass near Sisters Oregon," describes Giddings. "The pass is closed in winter, and the chapters come together and volunteer to host the event for its end of season celebration."

The 12 chapters of the Oregon Nordic Club represent thousands of skiers across the state. Unique in programming and services offered, the common bond is an interest in promoting cross country skiing and winter sports. Chapters like Teacup in Mt. Hood, Tumalo Langlauf in Bend and Blue Mountain in the Meacham Divide manage grooming operations for hundreds of kilometers of trails. The larger chapters use websites, newsletters and activities calendars to keep members informed. Programs range from sponsoring races, holding ski schools, managing ski swaps and supporting high school racing teams.

Collectively, Oregon Nordic Club members work in cooperation with the United States Forest Service to maintain trails and stock numerous shelters with enough wood to last the winter. Giddings says, "The Forest Service, being under funded and under staffed, relies more and more on the kindness of others to maintain trails and shelters."

Teacup Nordic Club
Portland's Teacup Nordic Club started in 1979 when a group of skiers training for races on Mt. Hood got permission to set up some trails in the Teacup Lake area. By 1990, the trail network had expanded to 20 kilometers. The chapter pays most bills through a donation box at the trailhead. "We ask anyone who skis there to donate $5. Initially, the public didn't like the idea of paying," reports past president Mike Bogar. A publicity campaign explaining how the trail funds were used increased donations substantially. The club pays approximately $800 for grooming as well as special use permits, trail maps, firewood and outhouse upkeep and maintenance.

In 2001, the Teacup Club officers started talking with the Forest Service about building a new warming cabin. "In the past, a construction trailer served as a warming hut. We can get 10 feet of snow here, and sometimes the trailer would get buried. We would have to dig down to get to it," Bogar recalls. "It smelled, it was cramped and not a good place for gathering." The club, however, found the Forest Service receptive. "They were real good to work with," he explains. "They helped us with the permitting and engineering plans, but they weren't able to help us financially. We had to come up with the money on our own."

After the club raised almost $15,000 to convince people their commitment to the project was serious, club member Ray Garey donated $30,000 to the building fund. "We promised him we would have it built by 2005," says Bogar. Including the donation from Garey the club raised $115,000. The design of the wood structure had to accommodate heavy snow loads. Bogar adds, "The main floor is elevated 7 1/2 feet off the ground so we don't have to dig down to get in."

Heated by a wood stove, the 24 by 36-foot cabin is a crowded place on weekends where trails are groomed on Wednesdays and both weekend days. As many as 50 people fill the tables and benches built by club volunteers. Formally named after 82-year-old benefactor Ray Garey, the cabin will house a plaque honoring all of the individual donations that helped bring the project to fruition. As word spread about the new facility, membership in the club doubled.

At present, the Teacup chapter has 250 members representing approximately 400 adults and 150 kids. Seventy-five percent of the members live in Portland. Bogar says, "The majority are families; we have dozens of little kids running along every weekend." The Teacup Lake trails are located 65 miles from Portland, but many members travel both weekend days to ski the trails.

Central Oregon Nordic Club
The Central Oregon Nordic Club offers an example of the diversity in the Oregon Nordic Club network. Ranging in age from 40 – 80, the 100 members the CONC share a deep passion for backcountry skiing. Club president Linda Frost notes that recruiting new members doesn't rank high on the club's activities. "We don't aggressively go after new members," she says. "We prefer to have them come in a few at a time so they understand what we are about." Interested people with limited skills are directed to lessons with the region's parks and recreation department and ski resorts.

Frost organizes tours every Wednesday and Sunday mornings. Ranging in size from five to 30, the skiers often break off in small groups. "The advantage of going with a group is you know your comfort level and know that other people will be carrying safety gear," offers Frost.

The diversity in ages is reflected in the equipment used. Frost uses bamboo poles and brand new short fat skis. "It's a real mix of stuff. Whatever you are comfortable with. Most people have several sets of equipment to accommodate the weather.

We can have ice or two feet of powder," explains Frost.

Formed in the late 1970s, the CONC is one of two cross country ski clubs in Bend, Oregon. "Some of our members belong to both groups. It's just a difference in emphasis," says Frost.

Members pay $15 annual dues per year per family. Most of the club's income comes from a ski swap held each fall. Frost explains, "We buy the high school trophies, fund a few high school races and buy equipment to maintain trails." Long before members step into their telemark boots, backcountry skis or snowshoes on a perfect winter day, they spend summers getting the trails ready for winter use. "We go out and clear the trails every fall, put up markers and chop wood to stock all the shelters to make sure it will last through the winter. It's so nice to get into that shelter after you've been skiing for a couple of hours and start a small fire," describes Frost.

Members of the CONC ski from Thanksgiving to May on local trails. Organized trips to Crater Lake, Patagonia and British Columbia satisfy club members' interest in skiing off the groomed trails.

The members stay connected year round, hiking together during the off-season. "Bend is on the edge of the desert and the Cascade Mountains. In 30 minutes, we can be out in the desert or at the top of the mountain. It's wonderful," Frost says…but then adds, "Don't tell anybody, we've got too many people."