INSIDE… Drought Busting! Our Foreign Legion Great XC Resort Loops Groomers: Unsung Heroes Patrick Johnson: Biathlete How to Double Pole Properly Singing Far West Nordic’s Praises Far West Nordic Race Schedule …and more!
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FAR WEST NORDIC SKI AREA DISCOUNTS All Day Tickets at Half Day Rate Auburn Ski Club One Night Skiing Pass for Half Off Bear Valley XC $5 off Full Day Trail Pass Incline Meadows XC Donation Only Method Mt. Shasta Ski Park Donation Only Method Resort @Squaw Creek $5 Off Full Day Pass Rim Nordic 25% Discount off Trail Pass or Rental Royal Gorge XC Full Day Pass for Afternoon Rate Full Day Pass for Afternoon Rate Tahoe XC “Far West Fridays” Sandwich and Trail Pass $23 2 for 1 Pass for NEW Far West Nordic Members Tahoe Donner XC All Day Tickets at Half Day Rate Tamarack Lodge 20% Off Day Trail Pass
2 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
Valid Anytime: one pass per FW Card Night skiing Thurs/Fri thru early Feb. Valid Daily, Non-Holiday Only Valid Anytime Valid Anytime Valid Anytime Valid Anytime Valid Anytime Valid Anytime Valid any Friday, Non-Holiday Valid Anytime, One-time only Sunday-Friday, Non-Holiday Valid Anytime
Welcome to “Nordic News” 2016 “Anticipation....Anticipa-a-tion, it’s Making Me Wait....” Some of us of a (ahem) certain generation will certainly remember this 1971 hit by Carly Simon. Others might simply relate it to an overplayed ketchup commercial. And who knows if the younger generation has ever even heard of it? But the words ring true for many of us this year, as the anticipation of snow is overwhelming even the most jaded of our Nordic ski crowd. 3 years of a serious lack of the white stuff will do that to someone. In over 40 years of cross country skiing in the Sierra Nevada, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a winter as highly anticipated as this one. Economists might call it “pent-up demand for goods.” I just call it sick of the drought. Sure, all the hype about El Niño has certainly stoked the fire in the belly of California skiers, but there’s definitely more to it than that. We’ve been “missing” something for the past three years, something integral to our wintertime (and springtime) happiness, and dammit, we want it back! “I’m no prophet, I don’t know Nature’s Way,” she says in her song. But from the looks of things this Autumn, it certainly seems like we’re in for a good ride this winter. In early November, I posted a simple photo on Facebook of just some fresh snow and a couple of Nordic ski tracks in the Euer Valley. I’ve never seen an image get “liked” so many times so quickly. That’s what I call “pent-up demand.” I say, “bring it on!” This year’s Nordic News is an exciting one, and the fact that there’s snow on the ground (and great skiing at the resorts) certainly helps with one’s stoke. But we start off the magazine with a bit of a cautionary tale: an article by some of our Nordic “correspondents” on where the great skiing is nearby, if Mother Nature throws us another curve. And even if we don’t have a repeat of the “D” word, it’s always great to explore new and exciting venues for our chosen sport. Everybody has their favorite ski trail, right? But in talking things over with some experienced Nordic skiers, we realized that just one trail won’t cut the mustard — we need LOOPS to link up our favorite ski trails, and Nordic News has compiled one from each ski area from some of the most experienced skiers in the state. Next up, we check in with two of our most accomplished “ex” Junior racers, who have looked to other countries to continue their rise through the ski racing ranks. And another familiar face from our racing group, Patrick Johnson, extols the virtues of one of our fastest-rising niches in the Nordic world: Biathlon. And none of what we like to do on the tracks would be possible without the hardwork and dedication of our local groomers: folks like Bill Clark, Paul Petersen, and Glenn Jobe know the inside of a track-setting machine better than anyone. Nordic News wouldn’t be complete without an article to help make you a better skier, and Christina Mishica’s explanation of Double Poling techniques will help you do just that. Finally, our dedicated Nordic Administrator, Kelly McElravey will tell you just why you should join Far West Nordic, and how much it’s meant to her and her family, and JD Downing chimes in with a call to Masters racers to join in the fun this winter. So here’s to the anticipation – and the reality – of a great winter. “We can never know about the days to come, but we think about them anyway.” Mark Nadell, Nordic News Editor
Table
of
Contents
Drought Busting
Where to Go When California’s Dry . . pg. 4 Getting Loopy The Experts’ Favorite XC Ski Loops . . . pg. 8 Far West’s Foreign Legion Two Ex-Juniors Find Success Abroad pg. 12 by Annika Taylor and Russell Kennedy Taking A Shot Why You Should Try Biathlon . . . . . . pg. 14 by Patrick Johnson Groomers The XC Area’s Unsung Heroes . . . . . . pg. 16 by Bruce Culbertson Double Poling Increase your Speed and Power . . . . . pg. 18 by Christina Mishica Far West Nordic A Special Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 20 by Kelly McElravey Master Skiers Get Ready for Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 22 by J.D. Downing Cover Photo: Patrick Johnson at the 2015 U.S. Biathlon Nationals at Auburn Ski Club All Photos (unless otherwise Specified) by: Mark Nadell, www.macbethgraphics.com “Nordic News” is a yearly production of the Far West Nordic Ski Education Association. Copyright © 2016. Design/typesetting is by MacBeth Graphics of Truckee. Any submissions, questions, or corrections, contact: Mark Nadell, Editor • mark@macbethgraphics.com
Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 3
Drought Busting! Where to Ski When California Lets Us Down…
E
ven though the Sierra Nevada has been blanketed in November by a welcome—yet thin—layer of our favorite white stuff, our recent history has not been conducive to optimism in regards to consistent great skiing at our local resorts. And even though weather prognosticators are going crazy this year (EL NIÑO!, EL NIÑO!!!!!), it remains to be seen as to whether our homeland will bless us with enough snow to keep us happy from December through March on our trails.
So, as a community service, Nordic News has compiled a little list of some of our favorite getaways for when our snow just doesn’t cut the mustard. We’ve asked some of our members for their favorite places to go when the California Drought just gets to be too much for them. All of the areas listed can be reached by car in a day (although in the case of the Methow, an airplane might significantly help get you there). Remember: Your Mileage May Vary. Mt. Bachelor itself can be viewed from some of the trails at the Nordic Center.
Bend, Oregon
By Bruce Pauly Bachelor Nordic
Part of the Mt. Bachelor Resort. Right across the road from Mt. Bachelor Alpine, at 6,200 feet elevation, is Bachelor Nordic, less than 45 minutes from Bend, Oregon. It features a fully-equipped lodge with ski shop, rentals, lessons, cafe, and 2 wood-form waxing benches. Trail passes cost about $20. The grooming is supplied by Bachelor Alpine, and they do a great job on the trails for both skate and classic. The trail system itself is essentially concentric loops on undulating terrain, generally downhill from the start area, then uphill to get Mary ellen Benier enjoys some fresh skating at Mt. Bachelor Nordic, with the back. It’s always less windy and a spectacular Broken Top in the distance. few degrees cooler down in the trail system compared to up at the lodge/parking area. There’s a nice warm-up/training oval with great views of the Cascades. Typically there is plenty of snow and good conditions. Master guru and Bend resident John (“JD”) Downing, a former Far West Nordic Junior, often puts on impromptu workout sessions, time trials, etc. — check at the lodge to see what’s going on. The Bachelor ski season usually lasts from Thanksgiving to Memorial Day. Meisner Nordic
In addition to Mt. Bachelor, there are a couple of community-operated non-profit trail systems near Bend. Two-thirds of the way to Bachelor Nordic, at 5400’, Meisner is about 30 minutes from Bend. It has a rustic lodge and mini-cafe, but no waxing facilities. Trail passes are free but donations are encouraged. They now have a Piston-Bully “big-cat” grooming machine. It’s a pretty nice trail system, some of the trails are longer and relatively open so you don’t have the round-and round feeling you can get after a day or two
4 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
at Bachelor Nordic. Trails are generally less technical than at Bachelor Nordic, and well-suited for classic. With a lower elevation, the ski season usually lasts from Christmas through March: Options for getting to Bend are driving and flying.The round trip flight to/ from Redmond, OR costs more than a nice pair of classic skis with bindings, and then you still have to get to Bend (half-hour via some kind of ground transportation). So driving is cheapest, especially if you can carpool. It’s about a 9 hour drive from the Bay Area, about 8 hours from Tahoe.There is a snow shuttle that runs on an hourly schedule between Bend and Bachelor, it stops at Meisner if requested. Cheap motel lodging can be found in Bend on short notice during Winter (there’s no lodging up near the venues.) Bend is a great town for a stroll after an afternoon nap. In particular, visit the Mirror Pond park along the Deschutes River just west of downtown.There are great restaurants in Bend, and of course a multitude of brew pubs. Bend is a fun place to visit! That, along with the usually good and often excellent skiing can justify the long trip, especially if Far West has no snow. Bruce Pauly is one of most prolific Masters racers here in the Far West, and can be found at the start line of just about every important local event. He is also a frequent traveler to our close neighbor ski areas to the north.
UTAH
By Gustavo Johnson
Similar in distance to Bend from the Tahoe area are the variety of Utah resorts, generally about 8-9 hours away on Interstate 80. Best known for its alpine resorts and champagne powder, Utah does boast quite a few Nordic areas, and they are all quite accessible for our California brethren. Not quite as developed as our Sierra Nevada resorts, the Utah areas nonetheless provide some great options for Nordic skiing. Mountain Dell
Mountain Dell is a golf course during the summer, and a volunteer groomed ski area with around 10km of trails during the winter. Located just off of the I-80 corridor, it is the most accessible ski area from Salt Lake City. Trail fees are $7 per day and they average 90 days of groomed skiing per year. If you’re looking for a sight of the ski culture in Utah, show up on
a Thursday evening during January to see hundreds of juniors andTuscano adults Ambrose cruises fresh snow from The Utah Nordic Alliance’s (TUNA) recreation and competition ski at Soldier Hollow programs playing games and skiing with their friends. in the mist of a Soldier Hollow
January morning.
Soldier Hollow, in Midway, Utah is the site of the cross-country and biathlon events at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. It boasts some of the best grooming and most unique terrain in the Wasatch. They have snowmaking capabilities and are usually open starting in early December. Housing near the venue is available at the Zermatt Resort, or on sites such as VRBO and AirBnB. With steep hills and over 30km of trails, you can ski all day imagining yourself chasing down Olympians. Who knows, maybe the guy or gal you’re skiing behind might just be one? Millcreek Canyon
Millcreek Canyon is the hidden gem of the Wasatch when it comes to finding snow close to Salt Lake City. This out and back ski trail climbs 1000 feet in 8 kilometers to a yurt (which can be reserved for overnight stays). “Trail fees” are $3 per car to get in and out of the canyon, and it is a perfect place to go tour if you’re looking to bring your dog with you. The steep, narrow canyon walls of Millcreek keep a cool micro-climate, and often the snow holds out longer than other places of similar altitude in the Wasatch. After your ski you can stop by the Wing Coop in the Olympus Hill Shopping Center for a beer and some wings. White Pine Touring
For those of you who like to mix your pleasures, and do both Nordic and
Alpine skiing on a trip, you can combine those treats easily in Park City, a close drive up the hill from Salt Lake. White Pine operates a 20+ kilometer set of trails in the heart of Park City on the golf course. Lots of lodging and eateries abound nearby, and you can even test your courage on the Utah Olympic Park Bobsled track. Gus Johnson grew up in the Salt Lake City area, and learned to ski at many of the areas listed here. After a stint on the UNR Nordic Team and the Far West Nordic Elite Team, Gus has settled into being one of our top coaches and runs the Auburn Ski Club Nordic program.
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO By June Lane and Ralph Johnson
The Sun Valley area has had snow for Nordic skiing for the last thirty seasons, so it’s a good bet if you need to search out some good snow conditions, or if you just want a change of pace for a vacation or special event such as the Boulder Mountain Tour. Getting to the Ketchum/Sun Valley area is a relatively easy nine hour drive from the Truckee area, or alternatively there are two flights a day from the Bay Area or Reno, straight to the Sun Valley Airport in Hailey, 15 minutes from downtown Ketchum.
Sun Valley boasts some of the best grooming and trails in the country. Photo courtesy of June Lane & Ralph Johnson.
The Nordic ski trails are located the entire length of the Wood River Valley from just north of Ketchum, 32 kilometers up to Galena Lodge. Along the way up the Wood River Valley there are various loops that can be accessed, such as Billy’s Bridge and Prairie Creek as well as the trail system at Galena Lodge, offering lessons, rentals and fabulous food. There are also Yurts that may be rented for overnight stays. Most of the trails are groomed
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Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 5
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NORTH AMERICA’S L ARGEST CROSS COUNTRY RESORT
200km of groomed trails, seamlessly integrated with the Village at Sugar Bowl, atop majestic Donner Summit. The iconic Lodge at Sugar Bowl offers comfortable ski-in/ski-out accommodations just steps from the trails. Plan your getaway today. For more info, visit royalgorge.com 200KM TRAIL SYSTEM
6 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
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daily, and the Blaine County website http://wintertrailink.bcrd.org/ updates every morning with the latest information. The trails offer spectacular skiing with incredibly great snow conditions and world class grooming. Prairie Loop is perhaps one of the finest classic loops around since the sun exposure is such that you can start and end with blue wax. Billy’s Bridge sits directly under the Boulder Mountains is hilly with some challenging figure eight loops. Galena’s trails are lots of up and down so plenty of fun skiing to be had there. The cost to Nordic ski is very nominal at $17 per day or $45 for a three-day pass and can be purchased at the SNRA Headquarters five miles north of Ketchum or at several major trailheads along the way. The price includes all of the trails up the valley and as well as those at Galena. Sun Valley Nordic, located right in town, has some beautiful amenities which includes the most beautiful Nordic center, however, the last couple of drier-than-normal years have given this facility a real challenge. On a good year, the skiing is fabulous, with some nice variable terrain over 40 kilometers. Sun Valley Nordic also offers lessons and rentals.Their daily pass is $22. and $17 for seniors. For accommodation there are many condos for the entire Sun Valley area available through VRBO as well as a variety of hotels, and there are some great choices for both culinary and night life in both Ketchum and Hailey (just 15 minutes south). If you are looking for a special event then the Boulder Mountain Tour week is surely one to put on your bucket list. The week offers events everyday from skiing the rails, to Sprints in town, Banff Film Festival and a bargain $49 trail pass for the whole week. The BMT is one of the premier ski races in the country and is a 35 kilometer point to point race on some of the finest grooming you’ll find anywhere. The race is very well organized and boasts plenty of competition. The snow conditions in the area tend to be drier so the classic skiing is excellent most of the time.The backcountry skiing brings people from all over, and if you are so inclined, Helicopter Tours are up and away everyday. The alpine area at Mt. Baldy begins making snow early as soon as the cooler temperatures allow, and since they have had snowmaking, they have been open by Thanksgiving for the last number of years. The season begins right before Thanksgiving and ends late April. For the diehards in the Spring there is plenty of crust-cruising out in the Sawtooth Valley near Stanley, limited only by how far you want to go! For years, June and Ralph cruised the trails of Far West’s Nordic resorts, but after many trips to Idaho, the lure of the Sawtooths was just too much. They have now relocated to the Sun Valley area, where they’ve been teasing their Facebook friends for the past three years with photos of great skiing and snow.
METHOW VALLEY, WASHINGTON By Ambrose Tuscano
For 3 years, my family has escaped the sad ski conditions in Tahoe by flying to Seattle with our Nordic ski gear and then driving the four and a half hours east and north to the Methow Valley.
From our very first day on skis in Methow we were blown away by the possibilities afforded by the trail system there. The cornerstone of the trail system is something called the Methow Community Trail that winds through the Methow Valley from the town of Winthrop to the hamlet of Mazama. The trail is roughly 30k long and gains a mere 300 feet of elevation along its length. As you ski up the valley, the walls on either side grow in height and beauty until, just past Mazama, you gain views of the Goat Wall, a sheer granite outcrop rising 2000 feet above the valley floor. One bonus of the Community Trail is the many trailheads and businesses along its route, offering the tired, hungry skier ample options to fuel up or retire to a comfortable bed for recovery within a stone’s throw of the trail. As extensive and central as the Community Trail is, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Methow has incredible options for the more adventurous skier, too. The Sun Mountain Trail System, sitting high above Winthrop on the west side of the valley, has a lovely array of mostly intermediate trails that wind through beautiful pine forests. These trails are enough to satisfy most Nordic skiers for a day, warranting the short drive up to the Sun Mountain Trailhead, but for those who want more, getting dropped off at Sun Mountain and skiing the Winthrop Trail back down to town is a tremendous experience, and makes for a satisfying point-to-point journey. Of course, as we learned on our first trip to Methow, the point-to-point skiing opportunities are really what define the trail system and make it so special. While Sun Mountain is part of this, as is the Community Trail, the really impressive point-to-point options all make use of the Rendezvous Trail System, the most advanced trail system in Methow, sitting athwart the mountains on the east side of the valley. Beginning at the Cub Creek Trailhead, a 12-mile drive outside of Winthrop, skiers can enjoy a looping climb and descent back to Cub Creek, a single or multi-day hut overnight experience, or one of two possible point-to-point skis that connect back to the Methow Valley. Methow Logistics
While the Methow does not receive nearly as much snow as the Sierra typically do, their trails are optimized for low-snow grooming. Less than a foot of packed snow can be plenty to ski on. Methow grooms exclusively with narrower snow cats. Some main trails in the system are groomed double-wide, creating the same trail width I’m used to seeing in so many local ski areas, but probably 85% of their trails are narrower and are some of my favorites, winding through forests and feeling more like single-track mountain biking, as opposed to riding on a dirt road.
Meg Seifert enjoys one of the incredible vistas found in the Methow Valley. Photo by Ambrose Tuscano.
Getting to Methow is quite easy: you can fly directly from Reno (or the Bay Area) to Seattle. It’s also possible to fly into Spokane. The driving time is about an hour shorter from Spokane, but there are no direct flights there. Once you arrive in Methow, there are plenty of lodging options, ranging from hotels to lodges to cabins to condos and single-family homes and spread all along the valley. Trail passes must be purchased from Methow Trails for the number of days you plan to ski, either at the Methow Trails office in Winthrop, or at a number of businesses in the valley. Ambrose is an instructor at the Sugar Bowl Academy, and helps to coach their strong team of Junior Nordic athletes. His wife, Megan Seifert, is the Race Director at Auburn Ski Club, and the two of them have made frequent trips to the Methow Valley in recent years.
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Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 7
Getting “Loopy” Our Top XC Skiers List their Favorite XC Loops
The Sierra Nevada is blessed with some of the finest cross country skiing in the country—even the world. With six major Nordic centers, and a variety of other, smaller ones, Nordic enthusiasts have a multitude of options to choose from. And everyone has their favorite trail, but for a truly epic experience, you need to explore a full 2-3 hour loop of ski trails. But what are the best? We asked 6 Far West experts about their favorite loops at their home ski resorts, and this is what they came up with…
ROYAL GORGE by Jeff Schloss
One of my favorite loops at “The Gorge” starts at the quieter Van Norden trailhead, but you can also access it from Summit Station or the Sugar Bowl trailheads if you prefer. Starting at Van Norden, take the Broadway Trail heading east around the flat Van Norden Meadow. The snow is almost always remarkable in this section because the cold air sinks into the meadow from the high ridges and it keeps it perfect all morn-
ing long. Then connect on to Telegraph Trail and follow a series of fun rolling hills west to Timberline and then Switchback trail. Once you get to Switchback you have skied about 7.5K of fairly easy skiing. If you are tired you can call it a day here and head back to your car on the flatter Bill Patterson Loop. But for the full adventure stay on Switchback up to Claim Jumper and start climbing up into Bogus Basin. There are several different ways up but I prefer Claim Jumper because it is the least steep of the trails up. From the top of Claim Jumper turn right on the Bogus Basin trail to the welcoming sight of the Bogus Basin Hut. From there, turn left and start the steep climb up the Razorback trail. From the west end of Razorback you should definitely take the ½ kilometer out-and-back trip up to the top of Lola’s lookout. Here you can look down into the 4000 foot deep Royal Gorge of the American River to your South and then turn around and see the Sierra Crest stretching from Sugar Bowl across to Squaw Valley and beyond. From Lola’s Lookout, stay along Razorback, where a short climb will lead to downhill (often steep!) terrain, but stop enough to enjoy the amazing views along the ridge. At the bottom of Razorback, stay to the right and head over to the aptly-
8 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
The Razorback Trail at Royal Gorge boasts some of the best views of any cross country ski area in the world!
named Nosedive trail, where still have 500 feet more to descend down to the valley. I think the name says it all! Enjoy the rush down and then finish with an easy cruise back on Broadway to your car. This a big loop of about 25 kilometers of skiing with lots of elevation gain, and is really for strong intermediate and advanced skiers. Jeff has been skiing, racing, and coaching for over 30 years, and is one of the most highly respected Nordic skiers in the Far West division. He is currently the Asst. Coach for the Sugar Bowl Academy Nordic Team.
BEAR VALLEY XC
by Paul Petersen
We are so fortunate to have these large trail systems here in the Far West. Big trail systems mean lots of choices on how we pick our ski routes. If I have a couple of hours to bang around the trails at Bear Valley Cross Country, I often choose this link-up of trails. After a bit of light stretching at the Meadow Trailhead I head right on Stables Cruise (flat) and head over to Equipe. Equipe is both a French word for racing and a popular race ski from Rossignol back in the eighties. This is a relatively easy black diamond trail that leads up to a very scenic mountain top with a hut (water inside if you need some). A long and sometimes fast downhill leads back down to the runway (flat) where I turn right on Headwaters Bridge then right again on Headwaters trail. This trail is a one way and gets very close to a creek that is one of the headwaters of the Stanislaus River. Ski this trail backwards and you may end up with your head in the water! This rollercoaster-style trail leads to Walden Connection, which tips steeply down into Walden Meadow. This magical place (the name is taken from another magic place—Walden Pond) is full of large aspen trees, and the trail then climbs up to Aspen Forest. Next right is Bjornloppet trail, one of the trails that make up the Bjornloppet Race course (the 43rd annual is coming up this March). At the second intersection after some nice winding through the woods, turn right at Osborne Ridge. This section is a bit of a lung burner getting to the top of the ridge, but as most climbs are, it is worth it. If I have time I will do an out and back on Ridgerunner before descending down to Bjornloppet where I go right and over to the infamous Bjornloppet Downhill. This pitches down into Orvis Meadow (named after the founders of Bear Valley, not the fly rod company) and then multiple options exist to get back to the trailhead on easy flat terrain.
Get up to the Schneider Camp trails at Kirkwood if you want some great vistas.
meadows adjoining the downhill ski area to sweeping vistas on challenging terrain at an elevation between 7,800’ and 8,600’. A favorite loop of mine is between 16 and 18 kilometers long and leaves from the Schneider Trailhead (2 mi. up the road from the Cross Country Center). Kirkwood’s trails in this area traverse the old “Schneider Cow Camp” and are generally marked for one-way skiing in a clockwise direction. Begin by ascending 1 kilometer or so on the Juniper Trail, so named for a large Juniper specimen. Stay left at the junction with the Rambler Trail Loop (4 km). A pleasant descent and gentle terrain is followed by climbing, descending and more climbing to complete this inner loop. Rambler primes the climbing muscles before embarking on steeper terrain. From Rambler stay left at a jct. onto the Aspen trail and climb about .5 km. through an Aspen grove to a junction with the Outpost trail (10 km). A steep climb ascends over 300’ but eventually flattens out where you are rewarded with vistas south to Caples Lake, Round Top Mtn., and the Kirkwood Alpine Area. A warming hut is about 3 kilometers along the Outpost trail. Rolling terrain brings you to a historic cabin at the “Cow Camp” before a short, but very steep climb intersects the Sierra Vista Trail. Stay to the right and climb to your high point before descending along rolling terrain for the next 2 kilometers. After a final short climb to expansive vistas, the next 3 km. are a rewarding and nearly continuous downhill. At the end of the Outpost Trail stay left to take the Juniper Loop back to the start. Chose one of three escape routes on the long Outpost Loop to shorten your ski if you wish.
Paul Petersen has been the owner/operator of Bear Valley XC as long as we can remember, and is one of the pioneers of cross country skiing in California.
Bruce has been one of the stalwarts of the Far West Nordic Masters racing scene for man, many years. From his home in South Lake Tahoe, he has become our go-to expert on the Kirkwood XC scene.
KIRKWOOD CROSS COUNTRY
TAMARACK CROSS COUNTRY
by Bruce Eisner
by
Nancy Fiddler
Tamarack Cross Country, in the Eastern Sierra near Mammoth Lakes, boasts some of the best snow and scenery in California. My favorite loop, recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers, is a grand perimeter of the trail system’s Upper Basin. This 15 kilometer loop has got it all; varied terrain,
The Kirkwood Cross Ski Area is about 6 miles west of Carson Pass along Hwy 88, and 30 miles (40 min.) from the South Wye intersection (Hwy 89/50) in S. Lake Tahoe. Developed by Glenn Jobe about 35 years ago, the area offers up to 80 kilometers of XC skiing on varied terrain—from gentle
Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 9
sweeping vistas, and a multitude of options for adding or subtracting distance. From the trailhead Yurt, begin by skiing up Twin Lakes Road and continue your gradual uphill ascent on Lake Mary Road. 3 kilometers out, you will arrive at Lake Mary. A favorite stopping place for skiers is at the Lake Mary overlook, where there is a picnic table and a fine view across the lake to Crystal Crag. Staying on Lake Mary Road, continue out to Horseshoe Lake.The loop turns left onto the Horseshoe Lake Trail, with a big view of the spectacular Mammoth Crest. Curve around the lakeshore, then take a right onto the Lake George cut-off. At the Lake George Trail, head straight uphill to the lake, which sits at the foot of Crystal Crag. I like to do the short loops at the top and then test my turning skills on the Voodoo Chute to the Lake Mary Loop. It is also possible to follow the Lake George trail back down.
Mine Shaft descends from here, twisting and dropping past the Mammoth Mining Company’s cabins, where the gold rush brought over 1,500 miners in 1878-80. Stay right on Pine City, then cross Lake Mary Road to Waarli’s Wrath. (An easier option for the faint of heart is to head back to the Ski Center via Lake Mary Road.) Newt Waarli was one of two legendary Norwegians who were responsible for the beginning of Tamarack Cross Country. If your face doesn’t already hurt from smiling so hard, cross Twin Lakes Road and finish your ski on Bobby’s Blast. Bobby Mehrhof, one of Mammoth’s junior skiers in the 1990’s, left us too soon, but lives on in our hearts every time we nail the left hand turn at the bottom of his namesake trail. Take the Lower Bobby’s option back to the ski center. Nancy is one of the most accomplished Nordic skiers in the country, with 14 National Championship titles, two Olympics, and four World Championships. Heck, she even has her own Wikipedia page! She coaches the juniors in the Mammoth area.
TAHOE CROSS COUNTRY by Ben
Grasseschi
Claude Fiddler cruises the Lake Mary Road during the Mammoth Marathon in April.
Turn right to cruise the mellow backside of Lake Mary to the Coldwater Loop. On Coldwater, ascend a couple of kilometers to the very top loop.
My first introduction to Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area was more than 20 years ago when I came north from the Mammoth area to participate in The Great Ski Race. My favorite TXC ski loop is basically a perimeter tour of about 2 hours
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10 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 ROSSIGNOL_FAR WEST_2015.indd 1
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Tahoe Donner’s Drifter Ridge will make you feel like you are on the top of the world.
and approximately 25km., and covers the highlights of TXC terrain with plenty of ups, and downs, strung together and flowing. Hopefully more downs, since those are my favorite… I like to start at the TXC Main Lodge (just 3miles east of Tahoe City off of Village Way) so I can pretend I am lining up for The Great Ski Race. I ski up the start lane to the Yellow Trail/Oval and take a right onto Green Trail and ski past the first water tank. From here it is gradual uphill to a major junction. At this point, I like the challenge of a big climb (for the view of course!), so I choose to go straight ahead onto Lakeview Trail/Lookout—soon to be renamed in honor of Kevin Murnane. After a momentary pause up here to take it all in, it is down to Orange Trail and right onto Red Trail, contouring along the beautiful Antoine Meadows. At the head of the meadow you can stay left on Red Trail (for a shorter version), but I like to go right (for the view of course!), up Gold Trail to Bronze Trail and its challenging descent, then a hard right onto Silver Trail. You could take a shortcut here to the left, but you would miss the great views and perfect snack spot at Silver Trail Overlook. Now that you have achieved all the Olympic Medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze), it is on to the 3rd best downhill of the loop, Purple Trail! Unfortunately, what goes down must go up, and the climb out of the bottomlands is a doozy. At the top of Purple Trail, go straight onto upper Green Trail and over to the left-most Blue Trail (a dog friendly trail) for its stellar downhill. Shoot! I forgot about the uphill outta there… Whew! After you survive that, it is a quick left onto lower Blue Trail and then downhill all the way back to the TXC Lodge. Once there, you can enjoy some tasty food from their café and a hot cocoa. Celebrate your ski day—all the great downhills, your friends, and enjoy the sunshine on the big deck. While reveling in your endorphin high, sign up for the Great Ski Race this March 6, 2016! You will love it… Ben is one of the most recognizable XC skiers on the trails (yes, he’s that tall), and has been leading the Nordic charge in the area for many years. Formerly the Head Coach of Far West Nordic and Auburn Ski Club, he’s now the Nordic Manager for Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City.
TAHOE DONNER CROSS COUNTRY by
Glenn Jobe
When I am going for a ski at Tahoe Donner I almost always start by heading out North Fork, Pony Express and then complete the Lions Leap loop for a warm-up. After finishing Lions Leap it’s time to decide “up” or “down.”To just do a “cruise,” I might head down into Euer Valley and complete the “Tour d’ Euer,” a relatively flatter ski around Last Round Up, Hide Out, Coyote Crossing, High Noon, Broken Spoke, Quick Draw and then back out of Euer Valley to the Moondance Hut. But for a truly epic tour, I’ll head up. From the
the Moondance Hut take the Sundance trail, turn right onto Crazy Horse, and climb all the way up to Andromeda, where you’re just a few feet below the top of Hawk’s Peak, with its remarkable views of the entire Truckee basin, clear across Lake Tahoe to Heavenly Valley. A short jaunt to the top of Hawk’s is often worth the extra effort. After returning to Andromeda, the next section along the ridge to the Drifter Hut is one of the most scenic sections of cross country ski trails in the entire country. Make sure to take a quick stop at the hut, re-fuel, take in the view, and then head down Drifter to lower Crazy Horse. (If you really have a lot of energy, the steep climb up and back on the Far Side is truly epic.) Make a right at the intersection and follow it down—with a short uphill at the end—to Dogs in Space, which is a rollicking fun descent back to the intersection of Rust Never Sleeps (any Neil Young fans out there?). Continue straight onto Boot Hill and then make a hard right onto Big Dipper. A right turn on Aspen and a downhill on Silver Streak will take you back to the Lodge via Nighthawk.This loop is not for the faint of heart, but the views from the ridgeline on the way to the Drifter Hut are incredible, as is the scenery from the Hut itself. Tahoe Donner XC is a great trail system allowing you to do an easy, medium or hard 1½ to 2 hour ski, depending on how you feel and what your goals are for the ski. Glenn definitely knows his Tahoe Donner trails – since he was the one who developed the area 30 years ago! A 1980 Olympic Biathlete, Jobe is one of the icons of California Nordic skiing, and is currently leading the Biathlon program at Auburn Ski Club as well as coaching Masters athletes.
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Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 11
The Far West Foreign Legion Two of our finest former Junior racers head off to separate countries to fulfill their World Cup dreams Russell Kennedy (25 years old) and Annika Taylor (22 years old) were two of Far West Nordic’s fastest Junior athletes of the recent decade. While their stories are quite different, one common bond is that they found opportunities in other countries to continue their racing success. These are their stories, in their own voice.
Russell Kennedy “I wonder how much wool socks cost?” I thought as water sloshed though my boots. “Yes I need some wool socks,” I concluded, watching my legs move and yet not really sure how as I couldn’t feel them. I looked at my watch. I was an hour and a half into my first four hour ski at my first training camp in Canada. After finishing the four hours the team packed up in cars and drove back to the campground. We were camping in Jasper National Park, one of the most spectacular places in the world. We ate dinner, prepped for the next day’s training session and went to bed. When we awoke I found myself running up Whistler’s Mountain, while rain pelted my body yet again. My brain numb, we summited the peak and began running out along the ridge just as the clouds began to lift. Massive peaks stretched out before me as far as the eye could see, glaciers hung from their tops and valleys plummeted to aqua glacier lakes below. I knew I was in the right place. When I was put on skis at two years old I thought “weeeee.” I know that from that moment on I was hooked! Being born in Truckee is something very special. You are raised in an amazing community where boundaries can be pushed but fun can still be a priority; a mentality that builds a strong passion for the sport. Not only that but you are surrounded by world class skiing and coaching. Something I find more and more true every time I return home. “Canmore, Alberta.” The words hung in the air as my mother and I arrived at the small Canadian Town. It was spring and I had just completed my junior year of high school. Peaks hung in front and behind us as we drove Continued on next page…
12 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
Annika Taylor I squinted. The personal TV screen monitor read 0:45 to destination, Aberdeen Dyce Airport, Scotland. I glanced down to the lime green compression socks restraining my “18-hour flight” calves. Somehow in the last two weeks I had graduated college, moved back across the country, and then jetted off to Scotland to train with the “Brits.” Two years ago I claimed my British citizenship, got connected with the British Nordic Ski Team, and am now representing Team Great Britain for the remainder of my skiracing career. A week away from leaving for training in Italy, I immerse myself in the same nervousexcitement that I felt as I left for summer training in Scotland. Seeing as Truckee is (in a good year) an epic snow mecca, I grew up with a love of powder-pouncing, swishing, tromping and racing my way from the Parks and Recreation program, to Auburn Ski Club, Alder Creek Middle School, and Truckee High. Fully in love with ski racing and training, I attended the University of New Hampshire, pursuing a degree in chemistry. I’ve always been one to LOVE company on workouts, mixing camaraderie with hard work. UNH skiing provided a dedicated, fun, encouraging atmosphere that extended into the entire Eastern skiing circuit. As I progressed from the “stressed about being stressed” freshman, to the experienced senior, I made a big jump in results and fitness as a racer, motivating me to consider professional skiing after college. Scotland’s Nordic skiing mecca is the town of Huntly, situated in the Continued on next page…
Kennedy Continued…
Taylor Continued…
down the three blocks of main street. It consisted of pubs and small shops with well-tended flower arrangements and people walking up and down. “I like it here,” I stated looking excitedly at my mom. We arrived at a spectacular venue where an excited Quebecor was sanding outside of a wax room. “Yes, hello,” he smiled and extended a hand. I shook the hand excitedly not knowing he would become my future coach and mentor.
Aberdeenshire region of Scotland with a population of 4,460, not including sheep. My water belt bulged with the necessary waterproof jacket and snacks as I skate rolled and rumbled down the cobbled town center to the Nordic center’s rollerski track for my first speed session abroad. Rollerskiing has become the hottest new summer sport to try in the U.K., headlining the sports section of newspapers and drawing city folk to London’s Hyde Park to have a go at it. Scotland’s National Training Centre is based at Glenmore Lodge in Aviemore, Scotland. The team and I had the opportunity to train for a week at the lodge, going for mountain runs, skiing on the rollerski tracks, doing gym strength, rock climbing, the list goes on! Outfitted with 2 litres of water, waterproof pants (suspenders required) and jacket, a compass, map, ham sandwiches (a British staple) my friends Fiona, Sarissa and I commenced a 5 hour bog run. Agility was the name of the game as I maneuvered the foot-deep black peet mud, strewn with rocks, wondering how in the world the bloody sheep pioneered this trail.
The following spring I made the plan to move to Canada to increase my FIS points before going to college. After a twenty-one hour drive we arrived in Canmore with a truck load of my most prized belongings. I began training with my new team and made friends with the polite, goodnatured Canadians. The summer blazed by with training, work and social gatherings. My first year in Canada was amazing for me. I made it to World Junior Championships, a trip I will never forget, as well as multiple amazing domestic results. I ended the year on a high and decided to postpone college to pursue my dream of becoming an Olympic athlete. This was a fantastic idea, but also an extremely difficult one. After two fantastic years with my coach I decided to move up to the Alberta World Cup Society (AWCA), a Training Centre team and a feeder for the Canadian National team. The first year I flourished, scoring the best results of my skiing career. The second year, however, I got overly excited and turned every training session into a race. My training reflected in a season with very few highs and no consistency. It was a hard year to swallow, as it was the Olympic year. I knew it was a long shot but I had not even made it to U23 World Championships, a goal that if executed could have opened up a lot of doors. I was frustrated and mentally spent—a feeling I had never had before. I am now skiing with my old coach and loving skiing just as much as I ever did. This training season has been fantastic. I was asked to DJ a wedding for Devon Kershaw where I met many Norwegian stars and was surrounded by stunning scenery. I had a moment on a hike where there were six Olympians surrounding me when I realized I couldn’t give up on my dream to make the Olympics. It was a dream that I had had since I was a little boy and it had stayed strong in the back of my head ever since. My inner stoke was defiantly back in a big way. This year is an exciting year as it is the first year of the Tour Of Canada—a nine race ski event that travels across Canada, east to west. This is my big target for the year, but I am also hoping that I will make it to the under twenty five Europe trip so I will get some more international race experience. I have learned a lot racing in Canada the past five years. I learned that cleaning toilets for a living loses it appeal after about a month. That digging yourself out of a hole can be as much mental as physical. That mountains will always be my home and, most importantly, that when you push your boundaries it is important to have fun.
I peeled off my newly blackened Salomon shoes, plopping them to be washed in the laundry basin, and then stiffly padded to the kitchen, where I was greeted with afternoon tea and cakes. Pure bliss! This sunshine and mountain-accustomed girl learned the Scottish way that good training truly can be found anywhere, in any climate. It’s all a matter of perspective and company (namely: someone to keep you grounded during the monotony and fatigue of training). Speaking of good company, on my homecoming I began training with my new team, the Sugar Bowl Academy Elite Team! My teammate Emily Blackmer and I have most likely chatted our way through an entire cookbook’s worth of recipes over many long OD workouts. Now, I’m sipping tea, as any good Brit would, relishing my last few sun-soaked Cali days, preparing physically, mentally and spiritually for the new ski season that beckons. I have a rare opportunity to race World cups this season, beginning with the Ruka Triple, in Kuusamo, Finland. I’ve spent some time ruminating over my goals for this season, seeking out a new measure of success that is not purely resultsbased. Skiing has become less about the primal “need to win” attitude and more about letting humility motivate me to train with fresh vigor, focus and mental freedom. There will always be someone who skis faster than me and I can choose to either be defeated and intimidated before I even try (in which case, I have already lost in my mind), or I can choose to lay down the pride and insecurity that threaten to defeat me and have a go! Why are we always so quick to fear failure in skiing, and in life? Isn’t the measure of failure versus success a relative, personal, ever-changing entity? Skiing has refined my thought and has taught me to lay down my worries, change my perspective, and race passionately. After all, we have nothing to lose! Note: At press time, Annika just finished her first World Cup races in Ruka, Finland, close behind some extremely fast skiers.
Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 13
Taking a Shot at Biathlon
A
by Patrick Johnson s cross country skiers, we’re used to pushing our limits, and we love the challenge of our sport. We participate in one of the most cardiovascular demanding forms of exercise, which is only made harder by the high altitudes of the Sierra Nevada. No matter how fit we are, we always seem to manage to push ourselves up a hill hard enough to be out of breath at the top. As we crest that hill, we may ask ourselves through our endorphin-charged mind, “Could a sport get any harder?” Well for those who are worried that cross-country skiing can’t get any more difficult, I’m here to tell you there is a way it can! Try hitting five targets the size of a silver dollar while your lungs and heart try to desperately pump blood, as your oxygen-deprived muscles struggle to recover from that hill you just climbed! Yes, I’m talking about biPatrick Johnson shows he knows how to do more than just skate ski at the 2013 Snowshoe athlon. Perhaps you’ve seen Thoompson Classic at Auburn Ski Club. the targets on the side of the stadium as you’ve skied at Auburn Ski Club. Maybe you’ve even tuned into some coverage of a race on NBC during the Winter Olympics. Or maybe you’ve just heard the Jerry Seinfeld bit where the comedian muses “Skiing and shooting? Makes about as much sense as combining swimming with trying to strangle a guy!” Except among the diehard, biathlon’s interest in the United States lasts a short span every four years during the Olympics, when coverage of the sport is split with about 48% being articles titled “Why Biathlon is a Sport,” 47% being articles titled “These Athletes are James Bond on Skis,” and the remaining 5% covering the actual competitions. Do you know which Winter Olympian has won the most medals all time? Norwegian biathlete Ole-Einar Bjoerndalen set the record at the 2014 Olympics with little to no coverage from American media outlets. In Biathlon, racers compete in freestyle technique races at distances between 7.5 and 20km. The
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14 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
racer carries their .22 caliber rifle on their back throughout the race and stops two or four times, depending on the race, to shoot at metal targets at a distance of fifty meters. Half of the shooting stages are done in prone position, where the athlete lies on the ground and shoots at 4.5cm diameter targets (equivalent to about the size of a silver dollar). For the other half of the shooting stages, the athlete shoots while standing, at targets with an 11.5cm diameter. Each stage of shooting consists of five targets, for which the racer only has one shot to hit each. For each miss the racer must ski a 150m penalty loop before continuing on the race course. On the World Cup, not only must racers shoot accurately, they must also shoot with speed, as typical shooting times for the best racers are consistently under 30 seconds, including the time it takes to take on and off the rifle and to get into position. The shooting component of biathlon gives competing in the sport a much different feel than a normal cross county in race. Not only must you push yourself all-out on skis, but you must also have the self-control to quickly transition into a relaxed state as you approach the range and prepare to shoot. A biathlete must have the strength of a sprinter, the endurance of a distance runner, and the mental fortitude of a yogi or a Zen meditator.These skills take years to master, and it is not uncommon to see even the very best biathletes in the world have those moments where they fall out of their calm state of mind and suddenly start missing shots that they can normally hit with their eyes closed.
historically been an integral part of the military tradition in many northern European countries. In fact, the first recorded biathlon competition happened nearly 250 years ago in Scandinavia! Here in the Far West region we even have our own special place in the sport’s history, as the first Olympic Biathlon events took place in our own backyard at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the west shore of Lake Tahoe during the 1960 Squaw Valley Games. The popularity of biathlon in Europe has begun to break into the United States over the past few years. At the highest level, the US Biathlon National Team is stronger than it’s ever been, with Tim Burke winning a medal at the 2013 World Championships, and Lowell Bailey and Susan Dunklee placing top ten at the Sochi Olympics. But for those who aren’t competing to be the best in the world, there are plenty of opportunities as well! Biathlon clubs have begun popping up throughout the snowy areas of the country, including Far West. Auburn Ski Club now has a group of athletes of all ages training and shooting at the club nearly every weekend throughout the summer, fall and winter. Biathlon events in Far West are even attracting biathletes from across the country as the Mammoth Biathlon Festival has become one of the largest annual biathlon events in North America, and just this past March, Auburn Ski Club and its legion of incredible volunteers overcame the challenges of the low snow winter to host the US Biathlon National Championships.
For those of you thinking “Well this sounds like a great sport, but I’ve never shot a rifle before,” I have some good news for you: getting started in biathlon requires no shooting experience! If you already know how to cross-country ski, you’re well on your way to picking up the sport.Though both shooting and skiing take hard-work and years to master, the general consensus among high level biathlon coaches is that skiing is the harder side of the equation to pick up. In fact, I can even tell you this is true from experience! In February 2014, after watching a few of the Olympic biathlon races, I decided on a whim to try a biathlon race at Auburn Ski Club. Before I knew it, I had my own rifle, and was spending every weekend at ASC working with Glenn Jobe on figuring out how to knock those targets down. A short year later, my work paid off as I finished off my first full winter doing the sport by hitting all my targets in the sprint race at the biathlon national championships! So give it a shot! (pun intended). Take a safety and introductory clinic at Auburn Ski Club and you’ll get all the basics to begin weekly practices. You’ll quickly discover how fun this challenging sport can be. And along the way you’ll develop physical and mental strength that will pay off, not only in biathlon, but in the rest of life as well! Born and raised in Alaska, Patrick moved to California a few years ago to join Far West’s ELITE TEAM and further his national ranking ambitions in cross country skiing (and enjoy the California sunshine). When he got the “Biathlon Bug,” he moved back east to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York. He’s set his goals on the 2018 Olympics in Korea.
While biathlon receives little to no coverage in the United States outside of the Olympics, across the Atlantic the sport faces much different prospects. In Europe, the sport is now the number one televised winter sport, as fans are captivated by the drama in a sport where one missed shot can undo even the best skiers and be the difference between gold and no medal at all. The sport is so popular that the Sochi Olympic Biathlon events happened at night so they could be broadcast during primetime in Central Europe. If you’ve never watched a biathlon race, tune into a free online broadcast of a World Cup this winter—you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how exciting the sport is to watch on TV. Unlike in a normal cross-country ski race, where gaps between competitors change slowly over the course of a race, the shooting component in biathlon can make the races much wilder. A group of skiers may come into the final shooting stage of a race tied, only to find themselves separated by minutes just five shots later. A favorite may be skiing with a big lead that quickly evaporates on the range into a big deficit after one poor round of shooting. Likewise a perfect day of shooting can thrust an underdog onto the podium. No lead is safe until the finish line has been crossed.
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Besides the drama of the sport, another big reason for the sport’s draw in Europe is its rich history on the continent. 4,000 year old cave paintings in Norwegian depict hunters on skis, and the combination of skiing and marksmanship has
Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 15
Groomers! Our Nordic Ski Areas’ Unsung Heroes of Snow
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s skiers, grooming has a huge impact on our skiing enjoyment and even our safety. Because grooming usually occurs in the dark, long after ski areas close, many skiers know little about it and even take it for granted. So, with this article, Nordic News salutes our groomers and aims to raise awareness and appreciation of their dedication and skill.
Well-groomed trails allow us to ski well, go fast and, (very important) slow down. They give racers the confidence to ski with abandon, knowing no hazards lie hidden around the next turn. Good grooming is produced by knowledgeable, hard working people, often using cantankerous equipment during unpredictable hours in adverse weather. Quality grooming is also the result of a remarkable amount of innovation that occurred during the last several decades. The 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley brought Nordic skiing to the attention of many Californians. During the next decade, a small but hearty community of skiers began to form, and a few citizen’s races were organized. By the mid 1970s, five classic Far West races had been established: the Yosemite Nordic Holiday, Echo to Kirkwood, the Great Ski Race, the Bjornloppet, and the California Vasa (later renamed the Gold Rush). For this article, Nordic News interviewed three pioneer groomers and skiers who became active during this period. Paul Petersen is the owner of Bear Valley Cross Country and has groomed BVCC throughout its history. Glenn Jobe founded both the Kirkwood and Tahoe Donner ski areas, skied in the 1980 Olympics, and is Head of Biathlon at Auburn Ski Club. Bill Clark, executive director of ASC, began his ski career as
an alpine racer and coach. From its humble beginnings, grooming made amazing progress from roughly 1975 to 1985, and Glenn Jobe commented on how fun it was to be involved in that period. At Kirkwood during the 1973-74 season, tracks were skied in (that is, set by skiers).The following year, Kirkwood used a snowmobile to pull a roller and a track setter.The roller, constructed from corrugated culvert pipe, packed the snow and created a corduroy texture for ski edges to grip. Soon, the snowmobiles were replaced by more powerful Thiokol snowcats. Glenn said the first Thiokol grooming attachment was rigidly fixed behind the cat. It laid great tracks where the trail was straight but swung outside the trail on turns, tearing up the snow surface. Thiokol engineers spent several days at Kirkwood and found a solution: a hinge between the cat and the groomer! (The best inventions often seem obvious once you’ve seen them.) Petersen remembered other innovations, like hydraulic rams to lift the grooming equipment out of the snow so the snowcats could back up. When Jobe began competing in biathlon in Europe in the late ‘70s, he discovered California grooming had caught up with European standards. As grooming improved, skating became more
successful. Soon, many people were skating and Petersen recounted the awkward period when skaters couldn’t avoid destroying the diagonal tracks, due to the narrow trails. Ski area operators had to ask landowners for permission to cut trees to widen trails so skaters and striders could coexist peacefully. Thiokol cats were gradually replaced by wider machines from Pisten Bully and Bombardier. Freestyle and diagonal became separate disciplines in the 1988 Olympics. A modern snowcat is about 18 to 20 feet wide. A blade, which flattens and shapes the trail, is normally attached to the front of a cat. Twin tracks, running the full width of the cat, pack the snow. More grooming equipment follows the cat. First is the tiller, a rotating bar with teeth that churns snow and breaks up ice. A “comb,” which has a corrugated rubber mat, follows the tiller and creates corduroy. (Nordic and alpine combs are different because Nordic skiers need narrower corduroy.) Finally, track setters follow the comb. A huge array of buttons and knobs control every aspect of this equipment, for example: the angle and the width of the blade; the speed, direction of rotation, and the depth of the tiller; the pressure on the comb; and the steering and lifting of the track setters. Good grooming is achieved when skilled operators adjust all those buttons and knobs based on their experience and knowledge of the snow conditions. Bill Clark emphasizes that this is a very active, continuous process – an operator cannot just kick back and daydream. All 3 groomer operators stressed that a moment of inattention can result in very costly damage, in addition to poor grooming. Clark says it takes about a year to train a new operator. Good grooming is also very dependent on timing. If wind is expected, which could blow snow into the tracks, or new snow is forecast, then it is best to groom in the morning. Ideally, though, the grooming should be completed an hour before the ski area opens so the groomed snow can set up. On the other hand, if the snow became wet during the previous day and the temperature is
16 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
expected to drop well below freezing overnight, it’s usually best to groom in the evening before the snow freezes. As the snow actually freezes, Clark says it cannot be groomed because it sticks to the groomer. If it was wet during the day and will freeze overnight, but there is a chance of fresh snow, then the groomer is faced with a difficult decision about grooming in the evening versus morning. No groomer can be expected to consistently make the right call in such situations. For classic tracks, Jobe believes there is a perfect moment to groom when the cool night just begins to dehydrate the snow. He says grooming for skating is much less finicky. Grooming is expensive. Clark uses $100 per hour as a rule of thumb. A new snowcat costs roughly a quarter million dollars and typically has a useful life of eight to ten thousand hours before it needs too many repairs to be economical. Petersen estimates that each cat gets about 500 hours of use at Bear Valley per season and needs about $10,000 of maintenance between seasons. Cats also breakdown frequently, so operators ideally are also good mechanics. There is still a role for snowmobile-based groomers. They are much less expensive than cats and more environmentally friendly. Because they dig less deeply into the snow than cats, their grooming needs less time to set up before being skied on. This makes snowmobile grooming ideal for refreshing corduroy during the day. However, snowmobiles lack the power to flatten and sculpt
the trails. Unfortunately, producing well-groomed trails in low snow has become critically important as our climate has warmed. Summer grooming is one of the keys to success. Each summer, California ski areas have flattened trails, removed rocks, and trimmed trees and shrubs so trails can be groomed with less snow. In March 2015, Auburn Ski Club successfully hosted Junior and Biathlon Nationals, pulling off the greatest low-snow miracle California has ever seen. At the time, no other Nordic ski area in our region had enough snow to open. The Sierra Snow Lab said the snow level was 30% below the previous March record low. Jobe called it the most challenging grooming conditions he has ever seen. Although a committee met frequently to strategize how to groom for the championships, many people give most of the credit for the success of the events to Bill Clark’s grooming wizardry. There are things skiers can do to help groomers. Of course, we should use common sense and, for example, avoid skating over diagonal tracks, but there are also some less obvious things. If a trail has just been groomed, operators urge skiers to give it time to set up before skiing on it and beg skiers to resist the urge to go for a moonlight ski on trails that have already been groomed for the next day. Doing so can create
The early days of grooming: a snowmobile and some old mattress springs. Oh, those were the days…
deep ruts that freeze overnight, leaving the trail unpleasant, if not downright dangerous, to ski on. But remember that great grooming doesn’t just happen as if by magic. Dedicated groomers work crazy hours, often in the middle of the night and in stormy weather, to create the wonderful trails we enjoy. So, let groomers know you appreciate them and give them your heartfelt thanks when you see them. Bruce Culbertson (last year’s Nordic News Cover Boy) has been Nordic skiing and racing in the Far West for many years, originally commuting from the Bay Area, and currently living in Soda Springs. He’s now a member of the Far West Nordic Board of Directors.
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DEMO DAYS SCHEDULE*
Try the new Winter 2015/16 Salomon nordic skis & boots at demo days near you.
Dec 19th - Tahoe Donner XC Dec 26th - Royal Gorge at Sugar Bowl’s Village Station Jan 1 st - Royal Gorge Summit Station Jan 2nd - Tahoe Donner XC Jan 24th - Winter Festival @ Tahoe Donner XC Feb 6th - Royal Gorge Summit Station Feb 27th - Mountain Fest Demo @ Tahoe XC *Please call the ski area to confirm
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PM Far West Nordic News • Winter, 10/29/15 20164:47 • 17
Double Poling for Speed and Power by Christina Mishica Cross country skiing is the oldest type of skiing and has greatly evolved over. The sport began in Norway as a form of transportation and aid for hunting and fishing over snow covered terrain. It quickly spread and at the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, it was one of the nine competitive disciplines. Today, cross country skiing is a competitive and very demanding winter sport. Elite skiers can exceed speeds of 20-25 km per hour for distances as long as 50 km. Advancements in this sport are largely due to improvements made in equipment and better technical preparation of race tracks. However, a greater emphasis on improving athlete’s upper-body capacity has impacted the sport — in particular, the double pole technique. In the past few decades, the importance of double poling has continued to grow. Increased demands have been made on a skier’s ability to reach a high double pole velocity due to the introduction of short sprint races and mass starts. It has even been the exclusive technique that racers have found success using in World Cup and Marathon races.
What is it all about?
The double pole technique is a complex movement with many factors affecting the results. The body works as a chain of segments with the muscles engaged in a sequential order. The motion starts in the trunk and hip flexors and is followed by shoulder and elbow/triceps movements. Flexion at the angles and knees also occurs, matching the angle of your back and upper body and engaging the lower body, allowing for a more forward position. During this movement your core is solid, arms are solid, hips and weight are forward and your body drops down onto your poles with
a quick and snappy impulse. A double pole cycle is defined as the period from the start of the pole ground contact to the start of the subsequent pole’s ground contact. This includes a poling and recovery/glide phase.
When do
we use it? The double pole technique is most commonly utilized on horizontal tracks, slight to moderate downhills or very low inclines. On this terrain less energy is required to move and therefore, double pole is a good technique choice. As the slope increases, a higher poling frequency and a larger amount of force is needed to double pole effectively. Arm muscles have a lower work economy than the leg muscles so the energy cost of the double pole technique at steeper inclines has a very high rate of increase. Therefore, the double pole technique is most successful when used on the appropriate flatter terrain.
How does it work?
A common misconception of the double pole technique is that it is using your upper body and arm strength to pull you forward. Although upper body strength is involved, pulling is not the motion that moves you forward. So, what causes the forward momentum? Downward forces. The
It’s above all the rest with a base elevation of 7,800 feet and up to 80 kilometers of machine groomed track. • FAR WEST MEMBERS: Receive a discount on a daily trail pass. • SEASON PASS CONNECTION: Pass holders of other Nordic resorts ski for a discount at Kirkwood Cross Country. Call for details.
KIRKWOOD CROSS COUNTRY Kirkwood, CA (209) 258-7248 KIRKWOOD.COM
18 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
Photos courtesy of Christina Mishica
propulsive forces that are produced from your upper body and trunk movement are released though your ski poles when they contact the ground. Research has found that faster skiers generate a higher pole force and have a longer cycle length. This means that the most effective double pole technique increases the downward force production and has a short and quick poling phase allowing for a longer cycle length, hence a longer recovery.
How does it look?
Above is a series of pictures showing three different stages of the double pole technique. In the first picture (far left) you will see the body position prior to the pole plant. Notice that there is elbow flexion and high hands that are fairly close to the body. The middle picture shows the pole plant. It is easy to see the forward lean, slight knee bend and ankle flexion. This shifts the weight and hips forward allowing for a more powerful crunch down onto the poles. The final picture, on the far right is the follow-through or recovery phase.The skier is using the glide before he brings his hands and body back to the prior pole plant position.
How do we perfect it?
Like any sport, practice makes perfect. It takes time to find the correct technique and timing. There are some drills and exercises that you can do on your own to help guide you as you work to improve your double pole technique.
One drill that is really great for muscle activation and getting the correct starting position involves two simple steps. This is a simple drill that doesn’t require much equipment and can be done almost anywhere; all you need is a wall and your ski poles! First you need to stand a little more then arms length away and face a wall. With your arms out in front, fall forward toward the
wall and catch yourself with your hands shoulder width apart and your elbow bent about 90 degrees. Once you are in this position adjust your angle flexion so that your shins are parallel to your back and upper body. Also be sure to notice the slight bend in your knees that allows your hips to shift forward. Repeat this “falling” motion and become familiar with how forward your body is. Next, find a place where you are able to firmly plant your poles and put on your ski poles. While standing up straight put your arms straight out in front and plant your poles. Similar to the wall fall, “fall” forward but this time onto your ski poles and notice that your poles support your weight and prevent you from falling forward. Make sure you shift your weight to the balls of your feet and you have the forward body position you just practiced. Now while in forward position push/crunch downward onto your poles with as much force as your can and hold for a few seconds. You will feel tension in your core, arms, back, shoulders, and butt muscles.This tightness is because all your muscles are engaged.This is what you want to feel when you drop your weight and plant your ski poles. All that weight and force downward creates a powerful and efficient double pole! After several downward pole holds try a few short and quick downward crunches to get a feel for what a quick and powerful impulse feels like. Become more and more familiar with engaging these muscles and this forward starting position by performing this drill frequently and then try to find the same feelings and body position once you are on the snow. Another drill that challenges your balance and promotes good body position is the single leg double pole. This can be done on both skis and roller skis. All you need is to find a good section of fairly flat terrain and perform the double pole but with only one ski. This forces all your weight onto one ski and allows you to focus on your ankle flexion and forward hips while improving your balance. Challenge yourself to get far forward and trust that you poles will catch you! As with all ski technique, it varies greatly and many racers have their own personalized style that works for them. It’s often easy to determine who someone is on the trail by watching their technique as they ski towards you. Of course, different body types allow for certain strengths but when you break it down the key components are all the same. The double pole technique requires strength and power and our upper bodies can be stressed a lot harder than you expect. We use our legs all day, everyday, even when we aren’t training. On the other hand, our arms don’t experience nearly as much load so when we aren’t skiing they recover quickly. Therefore, we shouldn’t be afraid to add intense double pole sessions to our training. So, next time you are on the trails be sure to throw your hands and hips up high and fall forward onto your poles and work to master the double pole technique. Christina is Far West Nordic’s newest coach addition, and coaches the Juniors at the Sugar Bowl Academy Nordic Team. Originally from Hancock, Michigan, she gained her BS in Exercise Science at Michigan Tech University, and earned a Masters Degree in Finland.
Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 19
Far West Nordic… …A Very Special Organization by Kelly McElravey
A
s a parent of two athletes who participated in this organization during their high school years as well as being the staff administrator for the past seven years, I want to say thank you to Far West Nordic Ski Education Association. Everyone involved in this organization puts forth an incredible effort to make it special to every athlete and their family in our region. The coaching staff is world class and puts in more hours than we will ever know. Between waxing skis for races and coaching on multi-day overnight camps and trips, these guys and gals deserve a huge thank you! They helped to mold my kids into the great adults they are today.
One of the greatest things about Far West Nordic is that it brings athletes from clubs all over the region together. This is beneficial because those athletes develop a team camaraderie that can only be experienced when all of the clubs train hard together. Have you seen the athletes on the trails practicing in the winter or running, roller skiing, or hill bounding in the summer? Far West Nordic’s mission is that it believes cross-country skiing offers great benefits to the community and to individuals of all ages and abilities. As a division of the United States Ski Association (USSA), its mission is to promote, develop, and expand cross-country skiing within the USSA Far West Region, which includes California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. (They do this without any financial help from USSA, by the way). This is achieved by working with ski clubs and ski areas and directly with their membership of individuals and families. They provide quality coaching and development of racing skills to athletes within the Far West Region to reach their full potential. They select regional teams competing at national and
international levels. They provide financial support to high school and club level junior ski programs and athletes through individual grants and scholarships. Far West Nordic is always looking for ways to attract new individuals and groups to cross country skiing in the hopes of creating lifelong lovers of the sport and the healthy lifestyle that results from it.
Now, here are some fun facts about Far West Nordic:
Far West Nordic was originally incorporated in 1986 in Nevada. It became a California corporation in 1995 and obtained tax exempt status in 1996. The all-volunteer board of directors meets once a month to keep things running smoothly. There are also many committees on which many board members serve along with other community members. The staff works together to keep things running smoothly. The other many volunteers work hard on all as-
Kelly in her “natural state:” Volunteering as a timer at one of the many Nordic races in the Far West division.
pects of the events to ensure success. No matter what capacity they work in, all who work for FWNSEA know what it takes to keep this great sport alive. They are cross country skiing enthusiasts and racers themselves, and they bring that passion into the organization. The number of members has fluctuated since inception, with the highest being 303 in 2010. The current membership year started May 1, and they already have 145 paid members to date for 20162016. At least 300 athletes and their families benefit from FWNSEA, but not all who benefit are FWNSEA members. I encourage those who benefit from FWNSEA to join the organization and be a part of something great. The clubs in our area often receive grants from Far West Nordic. Last year, FWNSEA sponsored
20 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
ciation. The organization exists to serve you and to provide important information and support to the athletes. They are committed to staying on the cutting edge of cross country ski knowledge – for you, for your loved ones, for every person in the cross country ski community. Your support helps to keep it that way. You can find the most current information on the website about events, clinics, races, and camps/trips, which are coached by dedicated, professional coaches, and hosted by passionate cross country ski enthusiasts.
The most concentrated region of groomed cross country terrain in North America, offering 167 groomed XC trails, covering 457km, and spanning 11,000 acres of terrain.
If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to join or renew your membership with FWNSEA today, get involved, and help support the local cross country ski athletes. I want you to get that warm feeling I get when I know I’ve helped in some way. Junior Nationals in Truckee in addition to what was provided to other clubs in grants. The National Nordic Foundation receives a substantial donation every year from FWNSEA. Last year, Tahoe XC and Mammoth’s Eastern Sierra Nordic Ski Education Association were grant recipients to start their competition and development programs. This year’s recipient was the Incline Village After School Cross Country Ski Program. I want to personally thank those who have united with me by donating, joining, and/or volunteering with Far West Nordic Ski Education Asso-
I also want to thank Far West Nordic for allowing me to serve them for the past seven years. It feels like I just started, but amazingly, it will be eight complete seasons in May. Sincerely, Kelly McElravey Far West Nordic Administrator and #1 Fan Kelly has been more than just a “fan” of Far West. In addition to being an involved parent, volunteer, and ultimate cheerleader, she has been the Nordic Administrator for the division for many years and is retiring this Spring. Far West Nordic would not be where it is today without her efforts and guidance. gotahoenorth.com/nordic
Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 21
Master Skiers: G et Ready for Fun! by John Downing
S
ometimes when things are at their darkest, it’s important to find all the positives you can. That approach served me well as a Far West athlete for the first half of my life and I still preach the same message these days as a ski coach and administrator all over the ski world. It’s no secret that the last few ski seasons have been a bummer for California. But I’d like to keep encouraging all Far West racers (particularly Masters) to “keep your head in the game,” looking forward to brighter and snowier years ahead.
Going all in with that positive message, the national masters association American XC Skiers (AXCS) is looking forward to an exciting and fun-filled weekend as the 2016 AXCS National Masters Championships returns to the Far West this coming March. Gold Rush weekend—March 19-20, 2016— will see skiers of all abilities from across the nation join Far West masters on the world-famous trails of Royal Gorge.
You can find additional information about the AXCS National Masters including U.S. Masters XC Ski Team criteria and much more on xcskiworld.com.
Events will kick off with a 10km classic Championship on Saturday, March 19 followed by traditional pre-Gold Rush festivities including the Gold Nuggets race for the little ones. Plans also include offering a 5km classic on Saturday for junior skiers. The fun continues on Sunday with the freestyle technique Gold, Silver, and Bronze Rush events, with their 42 km., 21 km., and 14 km. distances, respectively.
Now although a membership in AXCS isn’t required to take part in the NM2016, there are a ton of great reasons why every Far West master skier should sign up for AXCS annual membership.
For starters, there’s the absolute best benefit package in skiing. With two print subscriptions, exclusive year-round digital media, annual Nationals and Worlds events, and much more you simply cannot get a better value for money.
As is the tradition with the AXCS National Masters, no association membership or qualification is required to take part in the NM2016 events. Literally everyone is welcome to be part of this fantastic annual celebration of lifelong skiing and good health.
Then factor in the insanely attractive upcoming National and World Masters events. In addition to the NM2016 coming right to your Far West doorstep, it’s also not too late to sign up for the 2016 Masters World Cup in the skiing wonderland of Vuokatti, Finland.
For both the March 19 classic races and all March 20 Gold/Silver/Bronze Rush events you simply sign-up on-line at RoyalGorge.com, show up, and have fun.
If you need more lead time to plan international ski trips, consider the 2017 Masters World Cup that’ll land in stunning Klosters, Switzerland a year from this March. Imagine a combination of the best High Sierra big mountain skiing combined with European village charm and all the nearby attractions of famous spots like Davos, Zurich, etc.. Then factor in adding the Engadin Ski Marathon (largest skate event on the planet) as a bonus.
All skiers (regardless of age/gender category) are free to ski any Gold Rush distance you wish just like any other year, but please note that only the official NM2016 distances for each category will count towards National Masters titles and/or U.S. Masters XC Ski Team designation. The “official” NM2016 distances... • 42km Gold Rush: Female skiers 30-59 years (F1-F6) Male skiers 30-59 years (M1-M6) • 28km Silver Rush: Female skiers 60-69 years (F7-F8) Male skiers 60-74 years (M7-M9) • 14km Bronze Rush: Female skiers 70+ years (F9+) Male skiers 75+ years (M10+)
Come March it’s going to be a big XC ski party and everyone is invited!
It’s Time To Discover All That Master Skiing Can Be!
Finally, there’s the 2018 Masters World Cup that is now officially coming to the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota in late January 2018. This will be the first Worlds in the USA in a decade and it promises to be a hoot as the very first truly urban Masters World Cup ever held. Imagine racing guaranteed on a combination of manmade snow and local lakes by day, then taking in all the attractions of a major metro area by night. Best of all, it’ll all be only a few flight hours away from any Far
22 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016
JD in his racing youth. (Check out that lycra) Photo courtesy of Royal Gorge
West airport -- how cool is that?! Just like the AXCS National Masters, every Team USA at the Masters World Cup literally features masters from a rainbow of abilities, fitness levels, and goals. The Worlds is just as much an annual international skiing festival as it is a world championship. Better still, in Europe you’ve got the non-profit AXCS setting up every trip detail so all you have to do is get on the plane and have the time of your life! Right now, skiers that join or renew AXCS with our 3-year membership package will enjoy all the great AXCS benefits all the way until October 2018. That’s particularly significant because it means your membership will be current during the all-important Winter 2017/18 when the Worlds comes to Minneapolis. You will be required to have an AXCS membership to take part in the MWC2018 and the 3-year AXCS membership is absolutely the best deal costing less than a cup of coffee per month. If you aren’t a current member, join today for one or three seasons via www.xcskiworld.com and discover all that master skiing can be — with AXCS membership! J.D. (John) Downing skied in the Far West for over two decades from youth to World Cup levels before heading north to Bend, Oregon in the mid-90s. Downing is the Coach/Director of the XC Oregon club, the National Director of the American XC Skiers masters association, and was recently voted President of the World Masters Association.
DECEMBER
JANUARY
December 13, 2015 Tannenbaum 10K Classic
10 am • Sunday • Tamarack Lodge XC 10 km. Classic (Short: 5 km. or Youth 1-2 km.) • $25 Pre-Register $30 Late Reg • Juniors: $8 • DIAGONAL STRIDE ONLY Fundraiser for Eastern Sierra Nordic Skiing www.tamaracklodge.com • (760) 934-2442
December 19, 2015 JQ ASC Freestyle SPRINTs JNQ
10 am • Saturday • ASC Training Center 1 to 1.25 km. Sprint Course Format • Interval Starts + Heats $30 by 12/16 (Jrs: $25 • Youth 12 and under: $15) $40 Late Reg (Jrs: $35 • Youth: $20) • ASC Members $5 Discount Race Day: $60/$50/$35 • $10 Extra for USSA Scoring Points www.auburnskiclub.org • (530) 426-3313
December 20, 2015 MC FC JQ Snowshoe Thompson Classic 10 am • Sunday • Auburn Ski Club
10 km. Adults • 5 km. Juniors • 2 km. Youth $30 by 12/16 (Jrs: $25 • Youth: $15) • USSA Scoring: Add $10 $40 Late Reg (Jrs: $35 • Youth: $20) • ASC Members $5 Discount Race Day: $60/$50/$35 • USSA Scoring • JN Pre-reg Required DIAGONAL STRIDE ONLY • Interval Starts www.auburnskiclub.org • (530) 426-3313
January 3, 2016 Paco’s Freestyle Race
MC
10 am • Sunday • Auburn Ski Club 10 km. (5 km. Short Course • Youth 2km.) • Freestyle $30 (Jrs. $25 • Youth $15) by 12/30•Late Reg by 4pm: $40 ($35/$20) Day of Race: $60 (Jrs: $50 • Youth Race: $35) • ASC members $5 Off www.auburnskiclub.org • (530) 426-3313
January 10, 2016 MC Village Cup Nordic Race
FC
10 am • Sunday • Sugar Bowl/Royal Gorge 10 km. (2 laps through the Sugar Bowl Village) or 5 km. Novice/Junior Registration: $45 • Start: Sugar Bowl Mt. Judah area www.royalgorge.com • (530) 426-3871
January 10, 2016 Lakes Basin 15 k
15 km. (other shorter races available as short as 1 km.) $25 Pre-Register • $30 Late Reg • Juniors: $8 www.tamaracklodge.com • (760) 934-2442
20 km. (Jrs/Youth: 5 km) • Fundraiser for Tahoe XC Ski Education Pre-Reg: Adult $30 • Jrs. (18 & Under) $20 • Race Day Reg: $40/$30 www.tahoexc.org • (530) 583-5475
FEBRUARY JQ MC February 7, 2016 Allan Bard Memorial Classic
10 am • Sunday • Tamarack Lodge
20 km. (U20/U18 Boys/Girls: 10 km. • U16 Boys/Girls: 5km) • Youth 2 km. DIAGONAL STRIDE ONLY
February 14, 2016 Chuck Lyda Memorial Biathlon 10 am • Sunday • Auburn Ski Club
12.5 km. Certified Pro • 4.5 km. Novice/Jr. • Stadium Youth Loops Pre-Reg: $75 pre-reg (Jrs: $50 • Youth: $30) • Late Reg: $85/$60/$40 Day of Reg: $105/$80/$60 • Mandatory Safety Clinic www.auburnskiclub.org • (530) 426-3313
JQ
MC
12.5 km. Certified Pro • 4.5 km. Novice/Jr. • Stadium Youth Loops Pre-Reg: $75 pre-reg (Jrs: $50 • Youth: $30) • Late Reg: $85/$60/$40 Day of Reg: $105/$80/$60 • Mandatory Safety Clinic www.auburnskiclub.org • (530) 426-3313
MC January 18, 2016 Sierra Skogsloppet
FC
JQ
15 km. Adults • Junior JNQ Distances: 10/5K • 2 km. Youth Pre-reg by 1/17: $30 (Jrs. $20 • Youth: $10) • $40/$30/$20 Race Day Truckee School Teams Fundraiser • Wave Starts www.tdxc.com • (530) 587-9484
January 24, 2016 Tahoe Rim Tour & Race
MC
FC
26 km. • $50 ($20 Juniors) postmarked 1/20 • Online by 9 pm 1/23 Late Reg: $60 ($25 Jrs.) • $5 FW Member Discount • Buses available Far West Nordic Junior Programs Fundraiser www.tahoerimtour.com • (530) 852-0879
RACE LEGEND BIATHLON
FC
MC
JQ
FISCHER CUP
Master CHALLENGE
JN Qualifier
10 km. • $45 by 3/10 $60 Late Registration • Includes BBQ & T-Shirt www.royalgorge.com • (530) 426-3871
March 20, 2016 California Gold Rush
MC
FC
9 am • Sunday • Royal Gorge XC
45 km. Gold • 30 km. Silver • 15 km. Bronze • $45 by 3/10 $60 Late Registration • Includes BBQ & T-Shirt www.royalgorge.com • (530) 426-3871
APRIL
MC
9 am • Sunday • Tamarack Lodge XC
10:30am • Saturday • Badger Pass, Yosemite 18 km. (Short: 10 km.) • $40 by 2/6 (Jr: $20) • Late Reg: $50/$30 Price includes Sat/Sun Races (& Tele race Sat.), 1/2 day lift ticket, Awards Banquet • Diagonal Stride Only (Tele Race @ 1 pm) www.yosemitepark.com • (209) 372-8444
42 km. or 21 km. (Juniors: 10 km. • Youth: 3km. & 1.5km.) Prices to be announced • Entry includes T-Shirt, Banquet & Raffle www.tamaracklodge.com • (760) 934-2442
April 10, 2016 Billy Dutton Uphill
8 am • Sunday • Squaw Valley U.S.A.
February 21, 2016 Glacier Point Skate Race
38 km. (Short: 10 km.) • $40 by 2/6 (Jr: $20) • Late Reg: $50/$30 Includes all 3 races, 1/2 day lift ticket & Awards Banquet www.yosemitepark.com • (209) 372-8444
40 or 20 km. Courses • Pre-Reg by 2/20: $30 Adult (Jrs. $20) Late Reg: $40 (Jr: $30) • Tour or Race to Drifter, Hawk’s & Euer www.tdxc.com • (530) 587-9484
MARCH MC
FC
30 km. • $60 by 2/20 • Late: $70 by 3/5 • $110 Race Day Under 18: $25 • WAVE STARTS • Includes T-Shirt • Morning Bus: $3 Benefit for Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team www.thegreatskirace.com • (530) 583-5475
March 12, 2016 Bjornloppet Freestyle
20 km or 10 Km • $40 by 2/26 (Jrs: $25) • Late Reg: $45/$30 Includes T-Shirt, Party, Prizes, Food and Music www.bearvalleyxc.com • (209) 753-2834
March 13, 2016 Bjornloppet Classic
10:00 am • Sunday • Bear Valley XC 10 km. • $25 by 2/26v • $30 Late Registration Party & Prizes • DIAGONAL STRIDE ONLY www.bearvalleyxc.com • (209) 753-2834
2016 SIERRA SKI CHASE All Races Over 5 Kilometers with over 40 Adult Racers qualify for the Sierra Ski Chase Go to farwestnordic.org/racing/sierra-ski-chase/
MC March 19, 2016 MasterS Nationals 10K Classic
April 3, 2016 Mammoth Marathon
10:30 am • Saturday • Bear Valley XC
Sunday • North Tahoe HS to Northstar Classic: 9:00 am • Freestyle: 9:30 am
Short Kids Obstacle Course • Free • www.royalgorge.com
10 km. • $25 by 3/18 • $30 Late Reg • DIAGONAL STRIDE ONLY www.bearvalleyxc.com • (209) 753-2834
9 am • Sunday • Tahoe XC to Truckee
10 am • Monday • Tahoe Donner XC
9 am • Saturday • Royal Gorge XC
10 am • Saturday • Bear Valley XC
February 20, 2016 Yosemite Nordic Holiday
March 6, 2016 The Great Ski Race
March 19, 2016 Gold Nuggets Kids Race
April 2, 2016 Tom’s 10K Classic Race
15 km. Adults • U20/U18: 10 km. • U16: 5 km. • 2k Youth Pre-Reg: $30 by 2/10 (Jr: $25 • Youth 12 & Under: $15) Late: $40 (Jr: $35 • Youth: $20) • ASC members $5 Discount Race Day Registration: $60 (Jr: $50 • Youth: $35) Pre-registration required for JNQ Scoring www.auburnskiclub.org • (530) 426-3313
10:00 am • Sunday • Tahoe Donner XC
10 am • Sunday • Auburn Ski Club
12.5 km. Certified Pro • 4.5 km. Novice/Jr. • Stadium Youth Loops Pre-Reg: $75 pre-reg (Jrs: $50 • Youth: $30) • Late Reg: $85/$60/$40 Day of Reg: $105/$80/$60 • Mandatory Safety Clinic www.auburnskiclub.org • (530) 426-3313
8 am • Saturday • Royal Gorge XC
www.tamaracklodge.com • (760) 934-2442
February 15, 2016 Presidents’ Cup Race
March 13, 2016 ASC Spring Biathlon
10 am • Saturday • Auburn Ski Club
10 am • Sunday • Tahoe XC
February 21, 2016 TDXC Challenge
January 17, 2016 10th Mt. Division Biathlon
MIXED RACE
FC
9:00 am • Sunday • Badger Pass, Yosemite
10 am • Sunday • Tamarack Lodge XC
CLASSIC
January 31, 2016 Alpenglow Freestyle
10 am • Monday • Auburn Ski Club
JANUARY
Freestyle
MARCH
3.2 miles Uphill • Pre-Reg: $20 • Day of Race: $25 $5 Off Far West Members • Register Online or @ 7 am day-of-race Fundraiser for the Far West Nordic Junior Program www.billyduttonuphill.com • (530) 587-852-0879
2016 MASTERS CHALLENGE December 20, 2015.... Snowshoe Thompson Classic January 3, 2016......... Paco’s Freestyle January 10, 2016. . ...... Village Cup Nordic Freestyle January 18, 2016. . ...... Sierra Skogsloppet January 24, 2016. . ...... Tahoe Rim Tour February 7, 2016.. ...... Allan Bard Memorial Classic February 5, 2016.. ...... President’s Day Cup March 6, 2016. . .......... Great Ski Race March 19, 2016.......... Masters Nationals 10K Classic March 20, 2016.......... Gold Rush (Silver & Bronze) April 3, 2016.. ............ Mammoth Marathon (42/21K)
See farwestnordic.org/racing/masters-challenge/ for more details on the 2015-2016 Masters Challenge
CNISSF SCHOOL RACES December 11, 2015 Scott Hudson Kirkwood Relays January 8, 2016 Auburn Ski Club Classic January 15, 2016 Sugar Bowl Freestyle January 22, 2016 Truckee Sprints February 5, 2016 Mammoth Classic February 12, 2016 North Tahoe Pursuit February 27, 2016 CNISSF State Championships @ ASC
Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2016 • 23
Come see our new state-of-the-art facility opening for 2015-2016. Skiers and snowshoers may explore over 1,300 feet of vertical and 100 + km of groomed terrain as well as participate in signature events throughout the season.
DAILY GROOMING FOR SKATING AND STRIDING BEAUTIFUL MEADOWS AND CHALLENGING PEAKS 5 WARMING HUTS DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY FOOD FULL RENTAL FLEET, DEMOS AND WAX SERVICE PSIA MEMBER SKI SCHOOL
DECEMBER 5-20 | PASSHOLDER “BRING A FRIEND” DAYS 25 | CHRISTMAS AT TAHOE DONNER / HALF-DAY RATES
JA N UA RY 4-15 | NATIONAL LEARN TO SKI WEEKS 18 | FUN RACE FUNDRAISER - SKOGSLOPPET RACE 24 | WINTER FESTIVAL
F E B R UA RY 21 | TAHOE DONNER CHALLENGE
MARCH 20 | TASTE OF TRUCKEE AT TAHOE DONNER 27 | TOUR D’EUER EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING AND SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST. CHECK WEBSITE FOR SPECIFICS
530-587-9484 Subscribe to our email list: tahoedonner.com/cross-country FarWestNordicNews_Full_Oct2015.indd 1
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