42nd Annual Snow Mountain Stampede is this weekend.
It’s that time of year to test yourself! Have you trained hard enough this season to be able to handle back-to-back 50K marathons or 25K half-marathons earning that coveted RANCH BOSS or RANCH HAND buckle from Snow Mountain Ranch? It’s the only place in the nation to ski Skate on Saturday and Classic on Sunday but are you tough enough?
Waiting out the weather this “winter” has taken its toll on all of us, mostly staff at the Nordic Centers and the Grand County Nordic Race Series. Schedule, cancel or move, reschedule and pray for snow and colder weather. The best is yet to come this weekend with the 42nd Annual Snow Mountain Stampede skate marathon on Saturday March 7 and the Classic marathon on Sunday March 8 at the Campers Hub, Snow Mountain Ranch.
There are also distances of 12.5K and 3K each day for those not quite ready for the longer distances. The course hopefully consists of a 12.5k loop out from the CCOs and Ute, around Cranmer, out toward the Waterfall trail and back, around Gaskill almost to the Biathlon Range, back Gaskill to Lower Blue Ridge and in Tabernash. Remember the weather can change everything between this writing and Friday! Please note the 50K (four loops) starts at 9am, 25K (two loops) 10am, 12.5K (one loop) 1030am, and 3K at 1035am. There is a family 1K each day immediately following. Two aid stations are planned. The post-race lunch included for both racers and all volunteers is always fabulous!
With the prospect of new snow this week and a great loop layout, Shawn and David will again work their magic for the best grooming possible. Remember, youth up to age 18 can race for only $10 in any length race so it is the perfect opportunity for young racers to get racing experience. Visit the Races Series page on skigrandnordic.org to either register or volunteer or call Grand Nordic at 970-887-0547. As usual, we need more volunteers! At least bring your bell and cheer on the racers for the racing highlight of the season. Meanwhile, pray for snow and colder temperatures!
Nordic Equipment Sales
Score big at the end of season Nordic equipment sales happening now in March. Consider donating your old equipment to Grand Nordic at the collection boxes in the Fraser and Granby libraries. Grab your good pair of skis and head for early morning crust skiing in the meadows just into Rocky Mountain National Park! That might be it for this season…
