How have you seen the sport of cross country skiing change over the past two decades? Is it growing in popularity? Organization?

Bill McKibben, a local masters racer, writes:
Nordic skiing appears to be booming in Vermont. Look at MUHS, with more than 40 kids on the ski team--it's a considerably bigger deal than alpine at the high school at the moment. There's a strong Bill Koch League, and we have lots of masters skiers all around New England. In fact, it's strong all across the country--our racers are doing better on the international circuit than anytime since the days of Bill Koch. The only thing holding it back is the sporadic weather. Unlike alpine, Nordic skiing depends pretty strongly on nature (though that's starting to change with more Nordic areas installing snowmaking). But when we get a good snow year like this one, the scene up at Breadloaf or Blueberry Hill is incredible--the parking lot just fills up. (And at Breadloaf the skiers just pile out of the ACTR bus).

Bruce Ingersoll, co-coach of the Frost Mountain Nordic Bill Koch League, writes:
I do think Nordic skiing has changed, or at least benefited from trends in the fitness world. I ski, and always have because it is an outstanding workout. Nothing beats an hour of classic skiing for an all body workout that is easy on my aging joints. Those are two of the big reasons it beats Alpine skiing - plus it is less expensive. The fitness piece is also why I think it has grown and will continue to grow if we have solid winters and folks who can work with very little snow as they are grooming. Obviously the other big change I have witnessed in my career is the growth of skate skiing which is immensely appealing to folks because of the speed and the dynamic movements - it really is fun.

Andrew Gardner, head coach of the Middlebury College Nordic Team, writes:
On the racing scene it's faster. More spectator driven. It has suffered the same ills as other high profile sports: doping, odd formats to increase interest, etc. But the largest scene change is the variety of folks that are winning and the incredibly tight level of competition. Racing is ratcheted up to a super high level. The most tragic change is likely the decrease in snow reliability. It is changing the look and feel of racing. Skiers are more resilient than ever. Is it growing in popularity? You see a huge bump in racing. There are more folks racing now than ever. US Nationals, which is open, draws well over four hundred skiers and all but a few of those are really good skiers. On the slower side, you see a decrease in skiing: There aren't as many folks just recreating as in the past- this has to change. Hopefully, Frost Mountain will draw folks in.

Tim Reynolds, captain of the Middlebury College Nordic Team, writes:
To be honest the biggest change I've noticed has been more in the past five years, and that has been the reliability of winter. Snow is becoming less and less reliable. This has resounding implications for winter lovers. Is it Growing in Popularity? Seems high school skiing is booming. Locally, there are more kids skiing in Addison County than there ever have been. From junior high and high school racing down to the fleets of school buses that seem to roll daily up to Breadloaf, cross country skiing certainly has some culture here. Nationally as well, I think skiing enjoys almost hysteric popularity in its little niches across the snow belt. Some communities are nuts about it, some haven't heard about it.

Chas Lyons, head coach of the MUHS Nordic Team, writes:
The sport of Nordic skiing has grown over my lifetime. On the National racing level America is progressing very well putting athletes on international podiums. The interest by the general public is growing also. People like to follow healthy shining examples. The Baby Boomer generation is getting to the point of more recreation than work. They were part of the first real XC boom revolving around the Bill Koch era. They in turn have raised their children with a love of XC skiing and those children are passing love and enthusiasm onto the next generations. The passion of the skiers, especially those skiers who are parents, are joining together to ensure every possible opportunity is available to children and people alike to pursue Nordic skiing. These clubs, teams, and mentorships are blossoming all over the country and especially in our backyard. They will continue to foster new passions for those who join in.