Skiers hope to take over golf course in winter

A fledgling Denver Nordic ski group is aiming to develop a free, groomed, cross-country ski track through the old-growth trees of south Denver's Wellshire golf course by this winter.

Late last year, the group began e-mailing Scott Rethlake, the city of Denver's director of golf, floating the idea of skiing on city-owned courses in the snowy windows of golf season. Typically, Wellshire sees about 40 days a year when snow deters golf. The Denver Nordic Ski Association envisions skiing at Wellshire on those days, maybe 20 to 40 days per winter.

Skiers already rally at Wellshire whenever the snow is good. But they tend to skate amok, Rethlake said.

Read more about plans to create organized skiing at the golf course this winter.