Snowflake Nordic: Snowflake Kidski, previously Minnesota Youth Ski League, ski instruction for children 4-14 y/o. Usually full by mid-Nov. Have a few openings for high level skiers looking to refine skating and classical technique; otherwise keep in mind for next year. Meets 8 consecutive Sundays from 2-3:30 pm early January to February. Contact Robin Piper Downs at 728-5119. Snowflake Ski School: Private and group lessons available - call for appointment once the snow flies at 726-1550, or 722-7726. Sara Kylander-Johnson, former NCAA All-American, Instructor. Instruction in classic and skating technique, beginner to advanced.

Spirit Mountain: Ski Instruction through Community Education. Beginners and intermediates. Classical and Skating. Call 733-2171 for information. Nordic Spirit Youth Ski League: call Spirit Mountain for details.

something I love to do."

    Cyclocross.  It's the sport that people love to hate.  I highly suggest
that everyone try a cross race at least once in their life.  Looking from the
outside in, it may not look like much fun. But it is just like watching the
peleaton in the Tour De France. At first it looks like nothing, but once you
learn what is going on, it is a thing of beauty.  Cross is the same way.
Watching a true cross racer dismount, hurdle and remount is a thing of
beauty. Have you ever watched someone get on and off their bike with ease?
Are you capable of doing it yourself? Cross is a way of learning those skills
and enhancing your riding performance.   Think of all the times on a Tuesday
night ride that you have fallen, or not been able to ride that huge log
across the trail or not make it up that short steep hill in the singletrack.
Cyclocross teaches you the skills to become a better rider. Sure it hurts,
but for as much as it hurts, it will help. So next fall when the weather gets
colder and the nights get shorter, don't put the bike away. Come out and
cross.

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The lady next door asked me what I was doing.  I replied that I was training.
Training for what she said. I said "CYCLOCROSS". Cyclocross, what's that she
asked?  I explained that cyclocross is the hardest form of cycling there is. 
I explained that the courses are about a mile long or so, and throughout the
course there are barriers that you have to dismount and run over them while
carrying your bike. I also explained that on the courses they have barriers
upon the hills so you have to dismount and carry your bike on your shoulder. 
"Isn't that hard," she asked. With a sick grin on my face I said, "yeah, it
hurts like hell." She then asked about my friend who had the hose and the
bell. I said that people bring cowbells and ring them at races and the water
was to simulate conditions of a cross race.  Cold, wet and muddy.  She then
asked me "Why do you do it"?  I looked at my mud-covered bike and body, and
sat there and thought for a minute.  "I guess no matter how dirty I get, how
much it hurts, how far I have to travel, how much money I have to spend, how
cold it gets, I have a need inside which needs to be fulfilled. And it is