LESSON & CLINIC RESERVATIONS
Lessons
90-minute skate or classic ski lessons are held Sundays through Fridays at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.
90-minute skate or classic skiing lessons are offered at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, and 1:30 on Saturdays.
Skate and classic are two different forms of cross-country skiing. This is not a downhill ski area and our lessons will not prepare you to downhill ski. Downhill ski equipment will not be suitable for cross country skiing. We offer rentals of appropriate cross country skiing gear if you wish to try skate or classic skiing.
Please read our blog post on the differences between the two techniques if you are unsure which type of lesson you would like to take.
ClinicS
Our 2-hour clinics cost $30 with a season pass to the Durango Nordic Center and $35 without.
Please note that because the Durango Nordic Center is not affiliated with Purgatory Resort, only season pass holders to the Durango Nordic Center are eligible for the pass discount.
Instructors
Helen Low has worked at the Durango Nordic Center for 28 years. She started as a volunteer and then as an instructor and now this is her 17th year as the Chick in Charge! She has a Masters in Outdoor Education and worked for Outward Bound for 11 years.
Helen is originally from the Isle of Wight which is off the South coast of England, but she has now made Durango her home. In the summertime Helen is a river guide on the beautiful Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.
2025 will be Miki Harder’s 35th Year at the Nordic Center (whoop!). She got to Durango in 1985 for college, and after graduating in 1990 with an art/ biology degree, discovered the Nordic Center. Starting as a volunteer, and then piloting the first years of our Nordic Snowburners Youth program, she got promoted to instructor.
She’s been cross country skiing since she was knee high to a bug and LOVES sharing the joy and excitement that can be found with a pair of skinny skis on your feet.
When not skiing ( or hiking or riding bikes or playing in the river) Miki is a full time artist, making her way through life and love with oil paintings, illustrations and bronze sculpture (mostly of birds).
Sabina Kuss has been Nordic Skiing for 45 years. She and her husband raised their son, Sepp, on these same Durango Nordic trails, first carrying him and then teaching him to ski and later race. Sabina also raced competitively as a World Master skier in the US, Canada and Finland.
Sabina enjoyed many energetic years teaching elementary education in Cortez and Durango. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast throughout our four seasons. Her indoor passion is oil painting and practicing the Ukulele with a tone deaf ear!!
Donna Thormalen
Donna grew up in Colorado skiing Telluride as a young girl. She has been Nordic skiing for over 30 years. While competing throughout the last few decades, her love for skiing and the outdoors has been the driving force for being on skis!
Donna taught math at DHS for 28 years and is excited to be involved in one of her biggest passions in retirement—teaching and sharing her passion for nordic skiing.
Testimonials
“We absolutely LOVED our experience. Helen was the most wonderful and encouraging teacher. We all learned a ton and enjoyed it that much more with her help. We had planned to return later that afternoon but sadly the four kids were across the street at ski school and needed lots of time and attention, and we weren’t able to come back. We are already planning next year’s trip to the area and will definitely return to the Nordic Center. Thanks again for your help and wonderful staff!”
Amy Moody
