Winter Activities
The Patrol takes pride in doing all the training needed to be certified as a Nordic Ski Patrol.
Nordic Ski Skills
It is challenging in Western Iowa, but the patrol finds opportunities to train on cross-country skiing every winter. The patrol has certified ski instructors who take every opportunity to conduct training and practice ski skills. Part of the patrol’s efforts for teaching ski skills includes the use of “Nordic Flash Mobs”. When the snowfall is good, the call goes out, and the patrol meets at various locations to improve its ski skills.
Survival & Rescue Training
Winter always presents its own unique set of challenges, but this is especially true for people in the outdoors in those tough conditions. Loess Hills Nordic provides to its patrollers and the community specialized training for surviving and conducting a search and rescue in the winter environment.
Patrolling the Trails
When winter cooperates, the patrol conducts patrols on skis at the Nature Center. The patrol is starting to identify and maintain a system of cross-country ski trails. The goal is to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to learn cross-country skiing and enjoy Hitchcock in the winter.
Advanced Nordic Training
Advanced training in Colorado and Wyoming with other ski patrols in the Rocky Mountain Division is our goal. This training includes Nordic Skiing, Avalanche Clinics and Mountain Travel and Rescue training.
The Hitchcock 100
One annual event that the patrol supports every December is the Hitchcock 100 Endurance Race. This grueling, multi-day endurance race is held annually by the Greater Omaha Area Trail Runnersz (GOATz) at Hitchcock Nature Center. The patrol supports the GOATz and Hitchcock Nature Center staff by operating an Incident Command Post to coordinate the aid stations, foot patrols along the route, as well as first aid and evacuation of injured runners off the race course. The patrol is always looking for volunteers to assist in supporting the race in this challenging environment.
