Welcome to 2024! We hope there is more snow in our near future for this season. Do your snow dances like no one is watching…
Due to lack of sufficient snow coverage at Granby Ranch, the first Skate race in the 2024 Grand County Nordic Race Series scheduled for Sunday 7 January has been moved to Snow Mtn Ranch at the Schlessman Campers Hub new event center across from the Nordic Center. All times and events remain the same but just the venue has changed. Our marketing website has all the recent changes and still offers the opportunity to either race or volunteer until the night before. Skate Races are 15k, 7.5k, and a 3k races for juniors and families. All youth 18 and under have a special entry fee of $10 for any race – definitely an affordable opportunity! And the family can take a spin on the free 1k loop… Go to https://skigrandnordic.org/grand-nordic-race-series/ to sign up to race by Saturday 6p as there is no race day registration, only bib pickup! The snow is well-packed by heroic efforts from SMR groomers and conditions are the best in the valley. Bring your own picnic as the Skinny Ski Cafe will not be open.
If you love the excitement of the races but don’t want to race yourself, sign up at the same spot on the Race Series page to come volunteer and help as a course marshal if you can ski or as a parking attendant, stadium marshal or stadium set-up for the early bird. We will give you instructions so no experience is necessary. Just dress warmly as most of these are outside jobs. Lunch is provided. Volunteer are so important for any Nordic event to operate.
And for those who are busy this weekend, next weekend Saturday Jan 13 is the Snow Mtn Classic. This is an annual race for over thirty years and still going. With the current low snow levels, the 15k race will be two 7.5k laps starting at the Campers Hub, a great spectator spot as well. Snow is currently packed and ready but we are hoping for more snow in the coming week. There will also be a 3K kids race and the free 1k loop for the family. Please go again to https://skigrandnordic.org/grand-nordic-race-series/ to signup or to volunteer.
These two shorter races of 15k and 7.5k start the series and then progress to a long distance of 30k and short distance of 15k. The first is the 9th Annual Stagecoach Classic-only 30k and 15k ski race, 15k ski tour and 3k free kids classic race Saturday January 20 beginning and ending on the Devils Thumb Ranch. An end of race celebration will be held at Broad Axe Barn with food and beer. Again register online on the Race Series page to sign up. This link takes you directly to the active.com signup page. We will post volunteer opportunities shortly. The next moderate race returns to Snow Mtn Ranch January 27 for the 30k/15k/3k Skate race also staged out of the Campers Hub next to the Nordic Center.
The final two races are the 40th Annual Snow Mtn Ranch Stampede weekend with the Skate race 50k/25k/12.5k/3k on March 9 and the Classic race 50k/25k/12.5k/3k on March 10. Or you can even do both races that weekend and earn a silver belt buckle for your supreme endurance! Both days also offer a free 1k family tour and hopefully a race day BBQ. So many options!! Mark your calendars…
If all of these interest you, sign up for the entire race series and get a great discount! Proceeds for the race series benefit the Grand Nordic Club youth Nordic ski scholarship fund. Or pick individual races on the Race Series page and be sure to enter before the one-week prior fee increase. Registration cutoff for all races is 6p the night before – there is no day of registration, only bib pick up.
Because of limited options for a good race course, racers and spectators alike need to show great Nordic courtesy to other racers when terrain becomes cramped and conditions icy. It is always appreciated when people announce their presence behind you with “skier [passing] on your right” or “biker [passing] on your left”. Courtesy is a necessary part of every competition and is so appreciated! Let’s keep it FUN!
