West Yellowstone - Ski Festival 2015

EVENTS SCHEDULE INSIDE!

CLINICS • RACES • DEMOS & MORE

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2 ▲ YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL 2015

table of contents

YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL

2015

3 ................ Schedule of Festival Events 7 ................ Yellowstone Ski Fest Races 8 ................ Using Clinics to Improve your Skills 9 ................ Events for everyone Special Edition: November 2015 The Yellowstone Ski Festival Guide is a special publication of the West Yellowstone News.

Contents copyright 2015 unless otherwise noted.

Cover photo by Jeremy Weber

Editor Jeremy Weber WYN Reporter Mike Moore Advertising MANAGER Denise Buchner Production DEsign Manager Jessica Ferreyra

MIKE MOORE/WYNEWS

WELCOME SKIERS!

Breakfast • Lunch • OPEN DAILY 7am - 3pm 406-646-1170 • 237 Firehole Ave. Find us on facebook.com/Euro-Cafe

Beer • Wine • Open for Dinner Nightly at 5pm 38 N. Canyon St. • 406-646-7660 • SerenityBistro.com

Yellowstone SKI FESTIVAL 2015 ▲ 3

schedule of events 2015

Tuesday, Nov. 24 8:00 a.m.

Bootcamp: The Studio, 125 Madison Avenue ($10 drop in) Class is limited to 8 people. Call 646-7744 to reserve a space.

8:30 a.m.

5-day and 2-day “Tune up” Clinics begin

9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Adaptive Nordic Biathlon Clinic Adaptive Nordic skiers - come learn to shoot with U.S. Paralympic Biathlon Coaching staff with precision air rifles for standing & sitting classes, or via Audio electronic rifle for those visually impaired skiers. Learn to shoot, then challenge yourself to shoot with a heart rate to simulate Biathlon competition. Meet at the Biathlon Range.

Pre-registration is required! This clinic is required for participants in the Wednesday Biathlon race.

10:30 a.m. -12 p.m.

“Try It” Biathlon Demo - $10.00 Open to all! Come try biathlon - basic instruction and equipment provided. * This clinic is required for participants in the Wednesday Novice Biathlon race. Pre-registration is required.

12:00 p.m.

Pilates with Anna ($10 drop-in) Holiday Inn

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Adaptive Cross Country Skiing Clinic Adaptive Nordic skiers are encouraged to join U.S. Paralympic Nordic Coaching staff for cross country skiing instruction during the West Yellowstone Ski Festival in all three classes: sitting, standing, and visually impaired. Learn classic & freestyle skiing techniques, along with downhill and turning techniques. Some Sit-ski equipment can be made available with 2-week advance notice. Meet at the Rendezvous Trailhead Building.

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wild Winter at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center -“Animal Tracks and Scat” ​ Meet at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center Theater to learn how to identify what animals leave behind, check out wildlife scare and tracks, and play some games to test your knowledge. All activities are free with paid admission. Admission prices are good for two consecutive days.

4:00 p.m.

Biathlon Coaches Meeting (Chamber of Commerce) open to all biathlon racers.

5:00 p.m.

Pilates with Anna, The Studio, 125 Madison Avenue

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Meet the members of the APU Elite Ski Team, presented by Borah Teamwear .Stop by and meet the members of the APU Ski team, one of the premier US nordic development programs! Plus receive a limited edition autographed poster and engage in Q+A with Elite Team Coach and APU Nordic Director, Erik Flora.

Festival schedule | continued on page 4

4 ▲ YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL 2015

schedule of events 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival WYSEF Fundraiser. Check out all the great backcountry movies for only $5

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

INDOOR EXPO OPEN

7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center presents: BIRDS OF PREY. See live raptors and learn all about these amazing birds at the Holiday Inn.

8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Waxing Made Simple Learn the basics of waxing Nordic skis, from when to use what color and what the hectic is klister and why do I need it?

8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Yellowstone Historic Center presents: The History of Skiing in the Yellowstone Region

Wednesday, Nov. 25 8:30 a.m.

5-day and 2-day “Tune Up” Clinics continue

8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

On-Snow Gear Demo (Demo Area-Rendezvous Ski Trails)

9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Biathlon Zero and Bib pick-up

10:00 a.m.

Biathlon Sprint Race (Rendezvous Ski Trails stadium/biathlon range)

10:00 a.m.

Pilates with Anna, The Studio, 125 Madison Avenue

11:00 a.m.

Novice Biathlon Race (approximate start time) ​*Novice athletes MUST attend the demo clinic on Tuesday to take part in race.

12:00 p.m.

Pilates with Anna ($10 drop-in) Holiday Inn

12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

USSA Level 100 Coaches Clinic with US Ski Team Development Coach Bryan Fish: This clinic is for coaches and will focus on skill development for junior skiers. The clinic will begin with classic technique and switch to skate technique. This clinic will meet outside the Rendezvous trailhead building. Open to 30 participants.

Pre-registration required.

Yellowstone SKI FESTIVAL 2015 ▲ 5

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Junior XC Clinic with US Ski Team Development Coach Bryan Fish: This clinic is for junior skiers ages 6-16. Skiers can come on either skate or classic equipment. This clinic will meet at the stadium/biathlon range area. Open to 60 participants. Pre-registration required.

1200 p.m.

Pilates with Anna at the Holiday Inn ($10 drop-in)

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wild Winter at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center -- “Scavenger Hunt” Participate in a scavenger hunt around the Center and win a prize! All activities are free with paid admission.

Admission prices are good for two consecutive days.

2015 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wild Winter at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center -- “Wildlife Olympics” Come test your skills with that of wildlife and see how you compare! All activities are free with paid admission. Admission prices are good for two consecutive days.

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Apres Ski (Demo Area-Rendezvous Ski Trails) ​Meet your friends and unwind after a long day on the snow with some music, fire pit, and beverages for those of age. Hot drinks and sledding for kids of all ages.

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Whiskers, Whiskey, and Wax (Holiday Inn)

5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Branch Beer Bash: Micro and craft beer tasting ​Sample Montana’s best craft beers with unlimited tastings for $10 from 5 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, November 25 at the Branch Restaurant in the Holiday Inn. Price includes a glass of your favorite brew.

Souvenir pint glasses and t-shirts also available for purchase.

5:30 p.m.

SuperTour Coaches Meeting Chamber of Commerce, Yellowstone Avenue

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Spandex Not Required! ​How to dress for Nordic skiing for the non-race focused athlete, presented by Freeheel & Wheel 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 27 8:30 a.m.

1-day Classic ski Clinics begin. 3-day, Skate and 5-Day Clinics continue

8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

On-Snow Gear Demo Demo Area-Rendezvous Ski Trails

9:00 a.m.

SuperTour Freestyle Sprint race (Rendezvous Ski Trails stadium/biathlon range)

12:00 p.m.

Pilates with Anna, The Studio, 125 Madison Avenue, ($10 drop-in)

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wild Winter at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center -- “Owl Pellets” Meet at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center Theater to discover learn what owls eat and dissect some pellets.

All activities are free with paid admission. Admission prices are good for two consecutive days. ​​

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Apres Ski & S’Mores (Demo Area-Rendezvous Ski Trails) Meet your friends and unwind after a long day on the snow with some music, fire pit, and beverages for those of age. Hot drinks and sledding for kids of all ages.

Bring the kids, big and small, to roast marshmallows, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy a favorite dessert. Free fun!

4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Women Wine and Waxing. All women interested in learning about waxing are welcome. SWIX wax guru Jack Hart will give a short and informative clinic followed by time to wax your own skis! ​

5:30 p.m.

SuperTour Coaches Meeting Chamber of Commerce, Yellowstone Avenue

INDOOR EXPO OPEN

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Bryan Fish U.S. Ski Team Development Coach: ​Topic: Strides of Success - Key components of successful Cross Country Skiing.

8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Swix Wax Clinic

9 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Fashion Show See the latest in style from Bjorn Daehlie, Patagonia, Podiumwear, Mt Borah, and more!

Thursday, Nov. 26 8:30 a.m.

3-day and Skate ski Clinics begin.

5-day clinic continues.

8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

On-Snow Gear Demo Demo Area-Rendezvous Ski Trails

6 ▲ YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL 2015

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Presentation, Gregory Rhodes, PhD. ​Topic: Sports Nutrition - Matching your Nutrition to your Specific Training Needs

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

TOKO Wax Clinic

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Indoor Expo Open. Last Night!

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Keynote speaker Peter Ashley, followed by the WYSEF Raffle

Saturday, Nov. 27 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

On-Snow Gear Demo. Demo Area-Rendezvous Ski Trails

8:30 a.m.

Skate ski Clinic Begins.

3-day, 5-day, Classic clinics continue

9:00 a.m.

SuperTour Freestyle Race Start ​(Rendezvous Ski Trails stadium/biathlon range)

12:00 p.m.

Approximate start of WYSEF/NNF Masters Race 5K Freestyle ​(Rendezvous Ski Trails stadium/biathlon range)

1:00 p.m.

Approximate start of WYSEF Juniors Race 5K Freestyle ​(Rendezvous Ski Trails stadium/biathlon range)

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wild Winter at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center -- “Produce a Predator” Meet at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center Theater to learn about predators and their adaptations, then produce your own predator with its own unique adaptation. All activities are free with paid admission. Admission prices are good for two consecutive days. ​

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Yellowstone Ski Festival Social Finish off a week of skiing with a nice drink and even nicer company. Stay to cheer on the winners of the week’s races.

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Yellowstone Ski Festival Awards Ceremony Join us as we honor all the athletes who earned medals (and prize money!) throughout the week.

Medals will be handed out to the top finishers of the Biathlon, SuperTour, Masters, and Junior races.

Sunday, Nov. 28 Enjoy skiing on your own or have a safe trip home! Thank you for coming!

Welcome To West Yellowstone Skiers!

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WARM UP & WORK OUT AT THE FITNESS CENTER Open Daily 5:30am-10:00pm Daily & Weekly Passes Available Sign-Up Inside the Homeroom

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Fitness Center & Homeroom

121 Madison Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406.646.7621 • Homeroom Hours 10am - 6pm Daily

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Located at the corner of Canyon St & Yellowstone Ave Across the Street from the Visitor Center 406-646-9300 • www.eagles-store.com

Yellowstone SKI FESTIVAL 2015 ▲ 7

JEREMY WEBER/WYNEWS

Multiple ski races highlight annual Yellowstone Festival

By MIKE MOORE West Yellowstone News

C

onsistent earlyseason snow in West Yellowstone makes for some of the best fall skiing conditions around. Skiers both novice and advanced travel from around the country to partake in the annual Yellowstone Ski Festival and the various races the event holds each year.

The festival begins on Tuesday, Nov. 24 and one of the first events is the “Try It” biathlon demonstration from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

The demonstration is for all novice biathletes, who must attend in order to participate in the actual race on

Wednesday, Nov. 25.

According to Chief of Competition Travis Hansen, consistent early snowpack is the key for the annual festival.

Hansen says the biathlon races at the festival have increased in popularity every year. The biathlon races began as an opportunity for a few visiting biathlon teams have an extra race early in the season, but has become a much larger since. Now they teach newcomers to the sport, which has helped it grow over the years.

The Altius Handcrafted Firearms/West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation Biathlon Race on Wednesday,

Nov. 25. The race will be held out at the biathlon range and stadium area of Rendezvous Ski Trails, and will begin at 10 a.m. with the Biathlon Sprint Start. At 11 a.m., the novice biathlon clinic and stat will begin at the same location.

On Friday, Nov. 27, the USSA SuperTour Freestyle Sprint race will kick off with a qualifier round at 9 a.m. with heats beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Skiers will race on a 1.3-km course with the freestyle technique. The race is open to all skiers, with competitive skiers looking to earn points while non-competitive skiers can test their skills against the sport’s top athletes.

On Saturday, the USSA

SuperTour Freestyle Race will begin out at the Rendezvous Ski Trails at 9 a.m. The race will feature a 15-km race for men and a 10-km race for women. This race is also open to all skiers.

Later on Saturday there will be a WYSEF/NNF Masters Race, which will kick off at 12:00 p.m. at the Rendezvous Ski Trails. The race will be a 5-km freestyle race with 15-second interval starts. The race is for all master skiers, aged 30 and older. At 1 p.m., a WYSEF Juniors Race will be held for skiers. The low-key race includes no scoring, as it is a simply a fun race to kick off the season.

Hansen says the trails are

in good shape with the help of early-season snowfall in town.

“The trails are nice and firm,” he said. “If we get a little more snow on top skiers can use their race skis,” he said.

During Trail Day, volunteers helped clear the trails of debris to make them ready for low-snow conditions, which will make a big difference.

Hansen thanks all of the volunteers for helping out with the Yellowstone Ski Festival races, as many don’t have cross-country skiing experience, but simply want to help make the races go smoothly.

8 ▲ YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL 2015

Clinics help skiers improve techniques during festival

By MIKE MOORE West Yellowstone News

S

kiers attending the annual Yellowstone Ski Festival also have the opportunity to attend clinics covering a wide variety of skill levels and techniques needed to become a better skier. Clinics offered this year will include masters and adult clinics, along with clinics for children.

West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation president Drew Barney says they expect between 150 and 200 participants to take clinic courses at the upcoming festival. He says most of the clinics are for intermediate skiers, however, courses are provided for a wide range of skill levels

for skiers of all ages.

“Our target is to deal more with intermediate skiers who want to get better,” he said.

Masters and adult clinics include a five-day skate and classic technique for performance clinic from Tuesday, Nov. 24 through Saturday, Nov. 28. The clinic is open to all levels of skiers who want to become more efficient in both classic and skate techniques and want a lot of on-snow time with coaches.

There will also be a threeday skate and classic technique for performance clinic that will run from Thursday, Nov. 26 through Saturday, Nov. 28.

New this year is the threeday skate and classic training

camp for master racers, which was a five-day clinic in the past. The clinic will run from Thursday, Nov. 26 through Saturday, Nov. 28 and will be a true training camp for intermediate to expert master racers.

The clinic will cover training and techniques to prepare for a successful racing season.

Olympians Erich Wilbrecht and Jon Engen will lead the clinic, along with collegiate All-American Amy Caldwell and additional coaches.

A two-day skate and classic tune up will run from Tuesday, Nov. 24 through Wednesday, Nov. 25. The clinic is open to all levels of skiers who want to improve their classic and skate techniques.

Skiers can refine their skills in both two-day and oneday skate technique clinics.

The two-day clinic will be held from Thursday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Nov. 27, while a pair of one-day clinics will be held on Thursday Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 28.

Other clinics for adults include one-day classic, skate or touring technique courses on Friday, Nov. 27.

Clinics are also offered for youngsters coming along to the festival. A junior clinic cross-country fun-damentals clinic for children age 10-14 will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the festival week. The clinic is for children who have some expe-

rience on skis and the focus of the gathering will be skill development. Classic skiing will be held in the morning while skate skiing will occur in the afternoon. The junior clinics will meet at the Holiday Inn at the same time as the adult clinics.

On Thursday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon there will be a junior cross-country clinic with U.S. Ski Team Development coach Bryan Fish. The clinic is for skiers ages 6-16 and they can choose between either classic or skate equipment. The event will meet at the biathlon range area.

For additional clinic information, visit www.skirunbikemt. com.

Yellowstone SKI FESTIVAL 2015 ▲ 9

Yellowstone Ski Festival offers something for everyone

By JEREMY WEBER West Yellowstone News

V

isitors to the Yellowstone Ski Festival to not necessarily have to take to the trails to have good time as several exciting events will be taking place around town.

For those who want to check out the newest ski equipment, the Ski Festival will once again be hosing on-snow demos from several top manufactures., including Alpina, Atomic, Fast Wax, Fischer, Madshus, Rossignol, Salomon, Swix, and Yoko.

“We wanted to give the manufactures the opportunity to display their new equipment each season because Ski Fest gives people their first opportunity to see the new stuff for the first time,” organizer Kelli Hart said. “The on-snow demonstrations are a great opportunity for

skiers to try out the new equipment for this year and decide what they like before they spend a lot of money,” Hart said. “All equipment, be it skis or boots, will work differently for different people and this is a chance to find the best fit for each person.

The expo is a great chance to vendors to talk to people after they have tried out their equipment during the on-snow demonstration. It is also a good way to keep up with what is going on in the industry.”

According to Hart, the demos became part of the festival nearly 20 years ago.

“The Festival started out as an early-season camp for people who wanted to train and get their first on-snow experience of the season on groomed trails.

Initially, it was the U.S. Ski Team, the U.S. Biathlon Team and a few other teams from around

the region that were coming here to utilize our groomed trails. The, the manufactures all started coming because they had their own teams,” she said.

According to West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation Director Moira Dow, the demos have always been a popular event.

“The skiers have always loved the demos. We have always tried to make the demo area into more of a party atmosphere,” she said. “We try to draw as many people in as we can, and that keeps the manufactures pretty happy. It’s also great for local residents because they can come out and check out all of the new equipment without actually having to go out on the trails.”

Along with the equipment demos, there will be several other events going on off the ski

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trails during the festival.

For those who want to see the newest equipment without braving the cold, there will be an indoor expo from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday featuring equipment from Rossignol, Alpina, Salomon, Fischer, TOKO, Atomic, Fast Wax, Bjorn Daehlie, Madshus, BeFast Headwear, Swix, Yoko, the National Nordic Foundation, Mt. Borah, Cirrus Aircraft, Podiumwear and more.

The Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival will take place from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Tuesday evening and a presentation n on the history of skiing in the Yellowstone area (sponsored by the Yellowstone Historic Center) will follow from 8:009:00 p.m.

Events geared toward novice skiers include a basic waxing clinic, along with a clinic on

how to dress for Nordic skiing for non-race focused athletes, which will be presented

by Freeheel and Wheel on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center will be putting on several interesting presentations during the festival, including Animal Tracks and Scat, Birds of Prey, Wildlife Olympics and a scavenger hunt (and more!).

The Holiday Inn Conference Center, which is the corporate sponsor for the event, will hold a Branch Beer Bash featuring micro and craft beer tasting from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

From 9:00-10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, the town will host what Hart says is the world’s only Nordic Gear Fashion Show.

Also, don’t miss keynote speaker Peter Ashley from 7:009:00 p.m. Friday evening.

10 â–˛ YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL 2015

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Yellowstone SKI FESTIVAL 2015 ▲ 11

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