jhancock@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - Eddie Glines got his first taste of cross-country skiing last winter and took his family for the first time in December. On Saturday, he decided to bring his family up to the East Mink Creek Nordic Center and take advantage of free use of the trails.

"It only takes about half an hour to learn enough to get going," Glines said. "It's beautiful out here today. Not too windy."

Glines, planning to take full advantage of the day, was removing his skis at about 2 p.m. but had no intention of leaving the Nordic Center just yet.

"I didn't want to get too tired out, so we're going to do some snowshoeing right now," he said.

Lance Clark, Pocatello's outdoor programmer, said about 300 people were expected to take advantage of the Nordic Center's fifth annual "ski for free" day. He said about 65 to 75 people hit the trails on a typical Saturday, and that a high percentage of those people coming out for the free ski day are not regular patrons.

"It's the busiest day of the year for us, but most of the regulars stay away," Clark said. "It's usually a whole different crowd."

Not only was use of the trails free, but equipment rental as well, making the day an affordable one for the entire family to come out.

"A lot of big families take advantage of the day," Clark said. "It's hard to say if we get a lot of new regulars out of this, but it does drum up some additional business."

One of the new projects Clark was able to show off on Saturday, especially to those timid skiers, is the center's new Creekside Trail, which was created for beginning skiers.

"In the past, beginners have been intimidated by our advanced trails," he said. "We probably had a grand total of half a mile of true beginner trail, but now we have about three miles."

The Nordic Center is located less than 10 miles south of Pocatello and has about 20 miles of groomed trails, a sled hill and a warming hut. During normal operations, rental equipment is available on site Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Prices are $8 to $12 for rentals, $3 to $6 for day trail passes and $3 for snowshoe parking. Lessons are also available.

Snow depth at the Nordic Center is currently about 14 inches at the base and about 2 feet at the top.

"It's probably an average snow year," Clark said.