Diversify Your Offerings Woodstock Nordic/WAMBA Case Study
The Need How It All Began Woodstock Nordic Woodstock Inn looking to make a change in the leadership of the Nordic center Nick needed to make it a full time year round job Fat Bikes was part of the natural progression and the beginning of a MT Bike Program Opportunity Year Round Business, economic benefits WAMBA The Mt Bike riders needed trail to ride The group was starting to band together in search of new trails They knew nick and started the conversation
Early On Woodstock Nordic We knew Fat Biking was on the rise and many Nordic centers were thinking seriously about adding it The Woodstock Inn supported biking and was hoping to grow that activity as a meant to attract overnight guests It was another activity to offer to the community and one that could add incremental dollars to the bottom line WAMBA The Inns willingness to talk and embrace some of our ideas was refreshing We had an active cycling community of young professionals that was growing, along with an established riding community that had been operating under the radar for 30+ years -faced with the potential for some of our existing access to be lost, and increased riding pressure on existing trails, we knew we needed to get official. Establishing WAMBA was an effort to bring all the different camps together to work toward a common goal. We had a willingness to help develop new trails that we could ride Working with the Inn was a great organic growth step
The Execution Woodstock Nordic Did minimal research on the interaction of Fat Bikes and Cross Country Skiers, not much available (CCSAA working on this now) Purchased 12 fat bikes and a maintenance program Minimal staff training as we did not know what to do Learn under fire!! WAMBA Started communicating more with Nick about upcoming fat bike season Excitement growing within the riding ranks Fist snow, Nordic center open, tons of riders Beginning of the formation of WAMBA
The Reality Woodstock Nordic We weren t exactly sure what to expect Many non-skiers rented bikes as the local alpine areas were closed Snowshoeing was also strong Great energy from the cycling group when the skiing was not great WAMBA The cyclist knew the Nordic center was doing everything they could to groom and make a good experience for the cyclists We were able to educate our group on riding courtesy Very appreciative of how hard the Nordic center was working under some really difficult conditions This summer the cyclists are helping out on the trails and building single track Great relationship
The Challenge Community engagement very important Having an organized conduit between the Nordic center staff and the local cycling community is very important Fat biking is evolving quickly moving to single track, presents grooming challenges Communication key between skies/bikers/groomers
Events Events are great marketing tools Group rides now run year round, just on different equipment No drop community rides Races don t be afraid Helps build community and introduces your trails to non-locals building future incremental business Learn To
Economic Benefit to the Nordic Center Economic upside to Fat Biking Pass sales Incremental food and accessory sales Fat Bike Rentals New Clientele Helps create energy at your site that builds the Nordic Culture Almost anyone can ride a bike, not the same with cross country skiing
Best Practices Community Outreach Developing / Communicating the importance of trail conditions Bikes should stay off Nordic Trail until it is set up enough ( not fun to ride then anyway) Some conditions warrant studded tires - would be good to have the option for rental fleets on at least a few bikes. General rule of thumb - when the skiing is horrible, the fat biking is really good. Clearly letting bikers know when to yield to Nordic skiers (SKIERS HAVE NO BRAKES!) Don t touch the classic tracks. If using snowshoe trails for fat bikes - understand the limitations of what FBikes can climb/corner. Rollercoaster = Good, Interstate Highway = BAD Reaching out to local Mountain Bike chapters can be a win- win. Most bike chapters are in need of places to build trail, and ENJOY building it. This can be a huge source of volunteer
Contact Woodstock Nordic Nick Mahood nvm@woodstockinn.com http://www.woodstockinn.com/ WAMBA Seth Westbrook sethwestbro@gmail.com http://www.mtbwoodstock.com/