American Ski Marathon Series - Event Previews
YELLOWSTONE RENDEZVOUS
West Yellowstone, Montana
Featuring a 25km loop starting at the Yellowstone Convention Center (just 500 yards from the West entrance to Yellowstone National Park) the course runs through totally undeveloped forest lands in the Galatin National Forest of southwestern Montana, USA. Situated on the Continental Divide, the course offers fantastic scenery and snow conditions. With an average visibility of 100 miles, the terrain is slightly rolling and not considered difficult. The 25km event is open to skiers age 13 and older, as well as those who do not wish to ski 50km. Also popular, the Classic 25km event starting separate of the freestyle events.
Events for the kids with 2km, 5km and 10km races. Awards and dessert banquet (included) are held at the West Yellowstone Conference Hotel.
Contact:
Yellowstone Rendezvous
Contact: (406) 640-0465 or yellrendrace@yahoo.com
MORA VASALOPPET
Mora, Minnesota
The Mora Vasaloppet is a special race in the hearts of thousands of skiers who have experienced it. The colorful mass start, the separate 58K and 35K courses, the wooded trails, and the exciting finish line in downtown Mora are reasons why the race is the largest in Minnesota and one of the biggest participation winter athletic events in the United States.
But more satisfying are the words of skiers who comment on the warm, hospitable attention they receive. And that is what defines the Vasaloppet. Through it's over 700 volunteers, the Mora community not only produces the race, but makes the race so special to skiers.
Contact:
Mora Vasaloppet
Contact: 1-800-368-6672 or information@vasaloppet.org
PEPSI CHALLENGE
Biwabik, Minnesota
Seventy (70) kilometers of scenic, well-groomed trails climb on and over "Giants Ridge" which straddles the Laurentian Divide with superb overlooks of rivers, lakes and forest. A system initially developed for intensive training by the U.S. Ski Team presents long, gradual grades, spectacular vistas, roller coaster rides and a variety of challenges for beginners through accomplished skiers. Giants Ridge's cross country trail system is one of the finest in North America.
The annual Pepsi Challenge is a point-to-point 48K event on the world class nordic trail system at Giants Ridge. There are three (3) companion races: 24K Laurentian Loppett, 24K Classic and the 7K mini-challenge. Our trails are beautifully groomed with state of the art equipment. Jan Guenther, women's 48K winner in 2000 and a veteran of the cross country circuit, is effusive in her praise of the Giants Ridge course..."It's what skiing should be".
Join us and take the "Pepsi Challenge" this year.
Contact:
Pepsi Challenge XC Ski Race
Contact: 1-800-688-7669, Ext 3409 or 218-865-3000, Ext 3409. or
pepsichallenge@giantsridge.com
The Craftsbury Marathon, with 50 and 25 kilometer classic races, traverses some of Vermont’s most scenic countryside. The Center located on Lake Hosmer in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom has put this popular event on each year since 1981 and offers accommodations for 90 . The marathon is a point to point event featuring food stations provisioned with goodies by local inns.
Contact:
Craftsbury Ski Marathon
Contact: (802) 586-7767 or stay@craftsbury.com
LAKE PLACID LOPPET
Lake Placid, New York
Utilizing the same intricate trail system built for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the Lake Placid Loppet is the premier New England citizens event of the winter. Winding among beautiful glades of trees up and around a dazzling series of valleys, hills and meadow areas, the Loppet offers first-class thrills for seasoned skiers as well as a reasonable test for tourers. Beware of the infamous "Russian Hill" yet enjoy the occasional high point views of the spectacular Lake Placid area.
In addition to the Loppet events, Lake Placid offers an incredible array of wintertime attractions...many unavailable anywhere else! All of the 1980 Olympic venues are fully operational and annually host major competitions as well as offering unique drop-in opportunities to view and even try selected sports. All it the same day you can actually experience the rush of Olympic boblsed and luge courses; skate on the same ice arenas Eric Heiden and the U.S. Hockey Miracle Team accomplished the impossible; and watch international jumping, biathlon and combined events.
Contact:
Lake Placid Loppet
Contact: (800) 462-6236 or info@orda.org
MINNESOTA FINLANDIA
Bemidji, Minnesota
Starting just miles from the headwaters of the Great Mississippi River, in the land of the legendary Paul Bunyan, the 25km loop is more or less in two parts, the 15km on the East side of the highway has very gentle terrain after a somewhat steep climb from the start area. Then after skiing through a tunnel to the West side of the highway, the next 10km has sweeping downhill curves and some respectable uphills, including "the wall", a steep face that presents a real challenge. The setting offers the beautiful old growth woods of northern Minnesota, USA passing several frozen lakes along the route.
Contact:
minfin@paulbunyan.net or (218) 751-0041
CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH
Soda Springs, California (USA)
The California Gold Rush offers a tour of one of the world's largest trail systems at the magnificent Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort.
Cruising through beautiful Sierra Nevada forests past snow-covered lakes and offering incredible views throughout, the course is among the most scenic in the world. With a well-known reputation for having some of the deepest snowpacks anywhere, the course can sometimes have up to 30 feet/10 meters of snow in places! In addition, the Gold Rush has also earned a well-deserved reputation for having some of the best weather of any major ski event more often than not featuring sunny skies and fantastic wonderfully firm, fast tracks.
45km Gold Rush, 30km Silver Rush, 15km Bronze rush. Major fundraiser for Far West Division Junior Programs helping up to 4,000 kids and teens each year.
Contact:
(530) 852-0879 or info@farwestnordic.org
TOUR OF ANCHORAGE
Anchorage, Alaska (USA)
The Tour of Anchorage offers an overall downhill "point to point" course which traverses the wilderness of Hillside Park, then enters a series of trails through the residential and city environment, eventually joining with the Cook Inlet Coastal Trail followed by a final climb up the bluffs to Kincaid Park (site of several major championship events) and the finish. Along the route are spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, Cook Inlet and in the distance...magnificent Denali (Mt. McKinley) itself. The Coastal Trail portion of the race is a truly unique opportunity to ski just a few meters from the Pacific Ocean.
The city of Anchorage (Population 260,000) offers much in the way of accommodations, restaurants, and nightlife. There is also a 40 km race that eliminates the big hilly section of the 50 km race, and there is a 25 km race that starts at Russian Jack Park in the middle of Anchorage. Both the shorter races use the same course and finish as the 50 km race.
Contact:
(907) 561-0949 or (907) 346-2233 or nsaa@alaska.net
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER
Cable/Hayward, Wisconsin
Skiers from around the World gather every February to celebrate the "Birkie", a race that has become a tradition in the cross country ski world. The Birkie is a member of the 15-nation Worldoppet League, that may grow this coming winter to 16 with the addition of a Russian race.
The Birkie exemplifies the true spirit of cross country skiing and has been instrumental in advancing the popularity and success of the sport as we know it today. The 23K Kortelopet has grown tremendously over the years, and provides skier age 13 and over the opportunity to participate in the international camaraderie.
Join us this year for the 40th edition with warm-up events and races to the evening closing ceremony, and catch the spirit of the American Birkebeiner.
The origin of the American Birkebeiner dates back to 1973 when 34 men and one woman skied the 52 kilometers from Hayward, WI to Telemark Resort in neighboring Cable. Today, the American Birkebeiner is the largest, most prestigious cross country ski marathon in North America, fourth largest in the World... second to none with 10,000 skiers participating in the 50K Birkie Skate, 54K Birkie Classic, 23K Kortelopet, and 12K Haakon races.
Contact:
715-634-5025 or birke@birkie.com
BOULDER MOUNTAIN TOUR
Sun Valley, Idaho
Starting precisely 32km from the edge of the Sun Valley/Ketchum community at the rustic Galena Lodge, the Tour parallels the Galena Pass Highway as it flows steadily down to the finish. One of the shortest American Ski Marathon Series events, the Tour is also the easiest to navigate featuring a gently flowing course over a series of meadows and grass-covered foothills. Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains unfold continuously with each and every turn.
The Sun Valley/Ketchum area is known around the world as a major wintertime resort destination featuring a wide variety of activities, accomodations and attractions. A series of fun-filled events surround the actual Boulder Tour event.
Contact:
(208) 788-1550 or bouldermttour@aol.com
Marquette General Health Systems NOQUEMANON SKI MARATHON
Marquette, Michigan
The Marquette General Health Systems Noquemanon Ski Marathon is a 51K cross country ski race taking skiers on a journey from Ishpeming (home of the National Ski Hall of Fame) to Marquette where the finish line is right outside the Superior Dome, the
world's largest wooden dome stadium. It's sister event, the mBank
Half Marathon is a 25K race that utilizes the second half of the Noquemanon
course sharing the finish line outside of the Dome. Both races reward both
classic and freestyle skiers.
The course is spectacular with granite outcroppings, Lake Superior vistas, a 1000-foot descent over the last 25K, and friendly volunteers along the trail. The race also shares a weekend with the Ski Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Come meet the elite ski world and discover the Noquemanon this January!
Contact:
1-866-370-RACE or info@noquemanon.com
CITY OF LAKES LOPPET
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The urban cross country ski festival.
33K Freestyle, 25K Hoigaard's Classic, cross country ski festival featuring snow sculptures, skijoring, the Luminary Loppet and much more.
The City of Lakes Loppet is a cross country ski festival featuring the beautiful trails and lakes of the Twin Cities. Join us on the first weekend in February for this celebration of winter in Minnesota.
Contact:
612-604-5330 or info@cityoflakesloppet.com
NORTH AMERICAN VASA
Traverse City, Michigan
Michigan's premier cross-country ski event offers those of all abilities the opportunity to experience a wonderful day amongst towering white pines and through the pristine serenity of the Pere' Marquette State forest of Northern Michigan.
Named after King Gustav Vasa, a monarch in Sweden several centuries ago, the Vasa Pathway is also host to three of the Midwest's most popular ski events.
Contact:
231-631-2195 or ltaylor@chartermi.net
ALLEY LOOP NORDIC MARATHON
Crested Butte, Colorado
An American Birkebeiner qualifying race, Colorado Cup Series Race and Crested Butte's largest costume party, the Alley Loop consists of freestyle races ranging from the kids' 1.5 km loop to the full 42 km marathon. The unique course through downtown Crested Butte starts and finishes on main street before meandering through snow-lined alleys, behind false-fronted Victorian buildings, over footbridges, and alongside residences. The adult races then head out for loops of terrific skiing on the pristine outskirts of town. With a wide spread of races, the Alley Loop has a place for both the serious racer and the cross-country enthusiast.
Poised at 8,885 feet and surrounded by the spectacular Elk Mountains, Crested Butte is a small ski town with a big character. It's known for its warm welcome and wacky spirit, shown in full force during the Alley Loop when costumed Buttians take to the streets in droves to ski, volunteer, and cheer, making it a true community-wide event.
Contact:
Alley Loop Nordic Marathon
Contact: CBNC 970-349-1707 x 4 or janelle@cbnordic.org
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