“What is it that distinguishes Nordic Group from other consulting groups? I believe it is your ability to be thoroughly professional experts in your field and real people at the same time. No pretenses here, only seasoned experts. John Frado’s hands-on approach has provided us with creative ideas soundly based on current technical and market considerations.”
Gary Schiff, Director of Planning
Heritage Greylock, MA

“We have been working with Jonathan Wiesel of Nordic Group International on a complex recreation/real estate project, and we're impressed by his professionalism, pragmatism, and sense of humor. Nordic Group demonstrates a wide-ranging knowledge of trail-based recreation as well as planning issues.”
Dick Prugh, Co-owner
Prugh & Lenon Architects, MT

“Nordic Group International did a super job of showing us how to turn a historic summer lodge in National Forest land into a virtually year-around resort and Nordic center. Your master planning concepts and presentations were excellent, attractive, and very professional. John Frado’s understanding of how to work with the various governments and regulating agencies was impressive and essential. We thank you!”
Gaylord and Joy Staveley, Owners
Canyoneers, AZ

“Nordic Group's recreation facility designs reflect the firm's sensitivity for the natural environment and their experience in every aspect of recreation area development and operations.”
Gary Briere, Project Manager
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, MA

“I have confidence in Nordic Group International’s professional skills, creative ‘imagineering,’ knowledge of the industry and their ability to develop a useful product. They worked well with my management staff and assured ‘ownership’ by involving them in the planning process. They produced a blueprint for the future that has helped guide us through some very challenging growth.”
Bob Schaap, President
Lone Mountain Ranch, MT

“John Frado’s personal and professional commitment to the success of our project cannot be over emphasized. He was a key member of the team that made Great Glen Trails a reality and a new industry standard for a trails-based recreation business. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that John’s personality, sense of humor, and innate leadership earned him the highest respect from our employees.”
Scott Philbrook, Vice President/General Manager, Trails Division
Mountain Washington Summit Road Company, NH

“Nordic Group's Galena Lodge presentation is a tremendous example of how to develop a project and then persuade the environmental community to buy in. John Frado spoke of trails as an ‘art form’ and included concepts and ideas that ‘normal’ developers would have left out. Because you are very environmentally concerned yourself, you were able to address the concerns of those in the community who are environmentally aware and deeply motivated.”
Office of Idaho’s U.S. Senator James McClure
Washington, D.C.

“Working with NGI brought a level of creativity and candor to our project that was unexpected. John and Jonathan are honest, funny, smart, and most importantly, great teachers. I have become better at my job through working with them, and was impressed by their ability to accept a challenge.”
Simon Trautman
Planning and Development
Moonlight Basin, MT

“Jonathan's perspective about what a cross-country skiing and outdoor recreation resort can be has helped me, a novice at owning a cross-country ski center, tremendously. Being able to tap his experience with all the resorts he has seen, has helped me make all kinds of decisions and make them more confidently... He brings so much to the table from so many different points of view: operator, marketer, customer, owner.”
Peter Foley, Owner
Viking Nordic Center, VT

“Thanks for your stellar initial assessment of Nordic skiing here in Crested Butte. Your report included excellent recommendations and great ideas for improving our operations and product.”
Keith Bauer, Executive Director
Crested Butte Nordic Center, CO

“Jonathan Wiesel is unique in the Nordic community in that he approaches what is needed from the user's viewpoint. With his guidance, Tamarack is planning a comprehensive Nordic facility with a varied trail network that will appeal to all levels of skiers but especially to the destination Nordic enthusiast. He is a thorough planner who meets deadlines and understands budgetary constraints. Jonathan truly understands the facilities and services that appeal to the broad based Nordic market. He is able to differentiate between the needs of the recreational and competitive markets and to identify what is commercially viable.”
David Scott, Vice President
Tamarack Resort, ID

“Teton Ridge Ranch had the good fortune to employ Nordic Group International to upgrade our homemade cross country ski operation as a revenue enhancer for our very successful summer guest ranch. Our fortunes doubled in that we had the opportunity to work with Jon Wiesel, as engaging a persona as a non-Nordic skier could wish for. Jon designed our trails from scratch and has returned to supervise their construction during the summer. He named many of the runs and we followed his suggestions for signage. He provided the job description for our guide-instructor and helped in the final selection of the individual we hired. In addition he guided us through the facts and figures which would be most useful in our operation and pricing. Our first year exceeded our objectives and we fully expect to turn a healthy profit in the future.”
Albert Tilt, Co-owner/General Manager
Teton Ridge Ranch, ID

“John and Jonathan, thank you for addressing our concerns in such great depth. The valuable information and advice you have provided will certainly be incorporated into the resort Development Plan.”
David Marsh, President
Mt. Bachelor Ski & Summer Resort, OR

“The area’s trail network was designed by the Robert Trent Jones of cross-country, Jonathan Wiesel. This is the kind of ski operation we desperately need near major metropolitan areas.”
Casey Sheahan, Editor
Ski Business Magazine, NY

“Having a marketing plan from NGI has moved us from scheming and dreaming to strategic action. Developing the plan with Jonathan has allowed us to get more thoughtful and focused about our marketing goals (not to mention our mission!), and now we are confidently working our way through a clear action plan, building relationships and economic growth with less energy expended. The resources and contacts that Jonathan provided us with, based on our unique marketing goals, will be indispensable as we move forward.”
Danica Kaufman, Development Director
Methow Valley Sport Trails Association, WA

“Based on our experience, Nordic Group International is superbly qualified to market winter recreation – not just cross-country or alpine skiing but the whole gamut of snow-related entertainment. They combine practical background in resort operations with an ability to network with every element of the travel industry.”
Bill Bryan, Co-owner
Off The Beaten Path, MT

“It was great to have this information coming from someone who understands our quirky [guest ranch] industry. So many PR and marketing seminars haven't taken the time to research how it would relate to this specific group of people.”
Yancey Atterburn, General Manager
Lone Mountain Ranch, MT

“Nordic Group provided a detailed, honest assessment based on a wealth of unique industry experience. Their analysis helped provide a focused direction for our winter marketing efforts and helped us refine our operational strategy to improve our appeal to the Nordic community.”
David Brock, General Manager
Jackson Fork Lodge, WY

“The cross country ski familiarization tour was a success, and thanks to your assistance, it looks like we will see a long string of articles as a result over the next few years! The writers were able to participate in cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowcoaching, wildlife viewing, and hot springs soaking. I will forward copies of stories as they appear, which could be spread over a period of up to three years. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you again.”
Margaret Karas, Administrator
Yellowstone Country tourism region, MT