SANDPOINT — It hasn't been much of a winter, really.

But despite the lack of snow, Sandpoint Nordic Club officials said the season still sparkled with silver linings. Among them: the club's free school program and the return of SNC's Youth Race Team.

It would have been easy to write the season off, but instead SNC officials and members chose to look at the positives.

"It's been a bit of a heartbreak of a year, right?" Claude Goldberg, SNC executive director, said. "We always go into every winter just full of excitement and expectation. That it's going to be an awesome winter, and we plan and we don't do anything differently except expect snow."

Unfortunately, other than a few weeks in January and a week or two in February, when it was "absolute magic" on the region's Nordic trails, the season left many Nordic skiers disappointed.

It soon became clear that snow would be in short supply this winter, forcing the club to cancel youth league programs halfway through the season due to unsafe conditions. The club couldn't even go up to its backup spot at the Schweitzer roundabout.

At first, Goldberg said club members and officials shared those feelings. Then, she said she had a lightbulb moment.

"I was like, wait a moment, we're doing two amazing things this year that are still happening," she said.

The free school program, which introduces students from the third through eighth grades to Nordic skiing, continues to grow and inspire students across the region. While consistent snow didn't arrive until January — only for Mother Nature to change things up again in February — Goldberg said club officials adapted the program to focus on what was available.

Instead of skiing down the Nordic trails at Pine Street Woods, the students began hiking, exploring the forest and learning about the natural environment at Pine Street Woods — their community forest — ensuring the experience remained active, educational and deeply connected to place.

What began as a modest effort seven years ago has grown exponentially, club officials said. The club expects to serve more than 1,000 students this winter, fostering perseverance, confidence, curiosity and a lasting connection to the outdoors.

“Our staff and volunteers have shown incredible dedication,” said Rick Price, SNC’s school program coordinator. “Even in a challenging snow year, they are creating unforgettable experiences for local kids and ensuring access to healthy winter recreation.”

The numbers represent a 16% growth over the previous year, with a growing number of teachers asking if their classes can participate. Grants help fund the program, allowing the club to offer it at no charge to students.

"Our school program team is so creative. They're amazing," Goldberg said. "So I was like, oh my god, another silver lining. Like, all is not lost. We have a lot to celebrate. That program is incredible."

The joys found go beyond the ski trails, from friendships formed to a chance to see nature in a new way.

"This is especially true as they venture out on the frozen pond or start climbing around on the rocks by the crooked tree and become the one in their class to discover the caves, or as they climb to the top of a rock they were afraid to get on," Price wrote in a summary of the program shared by Goldberg. "One kid said this is like a video game where the kids are on an adventure."

Students can't wait to hit the trails and look forward to the program every year, even when there isn't a lot of snow.

The school program is not alone in shining bright this winter, Goldberg said.

While the winter did not bring a plethora of snow to North Idaho's mountains and ski trails, it did bring the return of the Sandpoint Nordic Club Youth Race Team. In its first year back, the team attracted 10 motivated athletes who have been training together since the fall through dryland workouts and early conditioning.

Their commitment is already paying off, Goldberg said. Team members have been traveling to regional races and delivering impressive performances, demonstrating both determination and sportsmanship while representing Sandpoint.

“The energy around the race team has been inspiring,” said Rebecca Dussault, race team coach and former U.S. Nordic Team Olympian. “These athletes have worked incredibly hard, and it’s been rewarding to see their progress translate into strong results on race day.”

The team's return is a deliberate step in strengthening the club’s youth development pathway — creating a natural progression for Youth Ski League participants, building skill and pursuing new challenges as it connects them to the local ski community.

"A winter like this reminds us that Nordic skiing is about more than snow,” Goldberg said. “It’s about resilience, community and creating opportunities for people — especially young skiers — to challenge themselves, grow in confidence and build a lifelong connection to the outdoors.”

Dussault didn't miss a beat, Goldberg said. As soon as it became clear that snow would be in short supply, she transitioned the team onto roller skis and put them through their paces through dryland training.

Strong community support and a determined commitment to youth have helped the spirit of Nordic skiing thrive during a year when others might have given up, Goldberg said. There is hope of someday adding a Nordic trail above 3,000 feet where the club can go during low-snow years that make its regular locations unusable.

"I think overall, our mission is affordability and accessibility in a sport that is lifelong — health benefits, mental health, personal happiness, like all those things," Goldberg said.

Between the growing school program and the success of the revamped race team, Goldberg said she realized the club has had success this year, just in a different way than she had expected.

"We're still doing really, really good work for the community and I’m hanging my hat on that this year, because that's what we got," she added before chuckling.

For more information about Sandpoint Nordic Club, its programs or volunteer opportunities, visit sandpointnordic.com or contact [email protected].

    Participants in the Sandpoint Nordic Club's school program pose for a photo. The free school program, which introduces students from the third through eighth grades to Nordic skiing, continues to grow and inspire students across the region
  

    Members of the Sandpoint Nordic Club's Youth Race Team pose for a photo. The team made its return this year and is already seeing success on the trails.