Roman Schinas of Rangeley is pictured with the $1,000 kayak raffled off by the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center this summer as a fundraiser for the cross country ski club. Schinas was the raffle winner.

Rangeley youngster wins kayak raffle

RANGELEY – Roman Schinas of Rangeley is the winner of the $1,000 kayak raffled off by the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center this summer as a fundraiser for the Cross Country Ski Club.

A total of 500 tickets were sold. Jeff Foltz, Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club president, drew the winning ticket at the Saddleback Challenge Mountain Bike Race on Sept. 2.

The trails systems raffle will enable the club to maintain the same prices as last year for its day and season Nordic ski passes. According to Foltz, it is a top priority of the club to keep the prices as low as possible, thereby encouraging increased participation of the trail system by the local community.

The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center has an ambitious agenda for the coming year. The ski club will repeat its successful early season training camp from Dec. 6 to 9. Last year 30 participants, ranging from novice to elite master skiers, worked with six professional coaches for four days to perfect their styles and learn new techniques.

The club will also host its nationally recognized Loppet Race in March 2008. Plans are in the works to reclaim many of the old Saddleback trails, enhancing the current 40-mile trail system. Several of the trails have an elevation of 2,700 feet.

The trails, starting at the yurt at 524 Saddleback Mountain Road, are accessible for hiking and biking at no charge during the non-snow season. However, donations are accepted. Trail maps are available at the information kiosk at the yurt.

The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center is the home of the Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club, a nonprofit organization. For more information, go to www.rangeleyxcski.com.