In Northern Minnesota, 'Snow Farmers' Make Sure A Ski-Racing Tradition Endures

Cross-country skiers have raced in Vasaloppet in Mora, Minn., since 1973. But Mora has only had enough natural snow once in the last seven years to put on the full race.

Enter Don Olson.

He's 67, an engineer by day, and runs a 1,500-acre farm in the summer.

In the winter, he farms snow.

So, despite the trend of warmer winters and inconsistent snowfall, one of the country's oldest cross-country ski races will go on this weekend, thanks to Olson and the group of volunteers he calls the 'snow farmers.'