2006-2007 XC Ski Race Preview
by Joel Patenaude
Click here for a printable annual XC Preview Calendar | 
| Thomas Labisch of Franklin, WIisconsin, finished 5th overall in the 2006 Badger State Games Snowman competition after 40K of classic and 43K of freestyle skiing at Nine Mile Forest, Wausau. Photo by Bob Bergstrom. |
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It's mid-November and the first true sign of winter arrived two days ago in central Wisconsin. But those first couple inches of heavy wet stuff melted faster than it takes my waxing iron to warm up. My skis still lay in wait in their corner of the garage.
But the time has come to prep those bases and beat race fee price hikes by registering early for our favorite events. The following pages list scores of ski races in the upper Midwest,
all of which are premised on a hope and a prayer there will be snow. As is our annual practice, Bruce Adelsman of Skinnyski.com and I have shared notes to ensure that we both have comprehensive calendars of the 2005-2007 ski races. A thumbnail guide to that calendar, month-to-month and state-by state, follows as does a handy pull-out version. For more event details, check the back pages of the magazine and Adelsman's invaluable website. New events, alterations & race obits We welcome to the calendar a few new events, as well as returning events undergoing makeovers or adding new options for ski racers. Nearing the end of the season, Andes Tower Hill near Alexandria, Minnesota, will host the first Andes Loppet – a 20K freestyle race – on March 3. The Valley Spur Trail System near Munising, Michigan, will be the site of Valley
Spur Ski Bash on Jan. 20 with races that sound challenging: the 12K Stairway to Heaven and 24K Bigfoot's Revenge. In the makeovers category, Adelsman notes that the Dec. 2 George & Geno's International Fast Track Sprints at Snowflake in Duluth, Minnesota, will replace the GAAS sprints. Get to the Blue Hills Ascent early on Jan. 6 and take part in the new 2K classical pursuit race before the 12K freestyle race. The Grand View
XC Ski Challenge, Dec. 9-10, is adding sprints on Saturday. The Sawtooth on Jan. 7 in Grand Marais will become a duathlon and the City of Lakes Loppet, Feb. 3-4, will offer a 25K classic race. And as mentioned in my editor's letter on page 2, the American Birkebeiner will send classic skiers down a brand-new 9K trail on Feb. 24.
Other events are moving up their dates. Nordic Spirit in Duluth will be held Jan. 28 instead mid-February;
the Upstride Down race on the Noquemanon Trail is set for early March; and the Crazy Carleton Relays in Northfield, Minnesota, moves to Jan. 13 from early March.
Cancelled events include the Frostbite Falls Ski Classic in International Falls, Minnesota; Vinterloppet in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the Brockway Mountain Challenge in Copper Harbor, Michigan; the Brule River Timber Cruise in Brule, Wisconsin; the Volkski Classic in Bemidji, Minnesota; and the Classic Nordic
Challenge in St. Paul, Minnesota. There are also no plans to hold the evening Hyland Sprints racing series in the Twin Cities. And neither I nor Adelsman was able to determine whether the Balsam Vinter Fest in Amery, Wisconsin.
DECEMBER
Wisconsin
The Madison Nordic Ski Club will host sprint races at Tyrol Ski Basin near Mount Horeb on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 then continues Tuesday night racing with a series at Elver Park in Madison starting Jan. 12 and
ending Feb. 13. Elsewhere the first race is the Winter Solstice Pursuit on Dec. 16 at Trollhaugen in Dresser. The evening "duathlon" has skiers first complete a 7K loop on the lighted trail in the classic tracks followed by a lap freestyle.
Head to Hayward area for the Double Birkie Trail Ski on Dec. 29. If 90K isn't enough for you, stay overnight and top off the weekend with a classic 5K, freestyle 10K or both at the Hasta Double Pole Derby.
Minnesota
Duluth is the place to be for the Dec. 2 G&G Fast Track Sprints (100 meters, 400 meters and 1 mile). In the Twin Cities area, the 5K Elm Creek Relay Series starts on Dec. 6 and continues on Tuesdays through Feb. 15. The Hoigaard's/Breadsmith Relays will take place Dec. 9 in Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis.
Besides the usual offering of ski instruction at the West Itasca Christmas-New Year Ski Fest, Rainbow
Resort in Waubun will host 5K and 10K time trials at the Dec. 26-28 event. The New Years Challenge, a new event, will include 6K and 13K freestyle races in Park Rapids.
Michigan
The Grand View XC Challenge, Dec. 9-10, is the first weekend of racing in the U.P. for Junior Olympians and all others in 3K, 5K and 10K classic races on the Wolverine Ski Trails of Ironwood.
On Dec. 16, there will be a short distance Preseason XC Race at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. For
the entire weekend of Dec. 16-17, the Michigan Tech Trails in Hougton will be the site of by the MTU Christmas Classic Races/Pre-U.S. National Championships (with 2K, 5K and 10K classic; 2K, 5K, 10K and 15K freestyle races).
The Saux Head Sprints (5K, 7.5K and 10K) will take place on the trails of the same name in Marquette on Dec. 23.
Ontario
The Lappe Nordic Ski Center in Thunder Bay will host both the 15K classic Boxing Day Race on Dec. 26
and the Lappe Invitational (15K classic on Sat.; 15K freestyle Sun.) Dec. 30-31.
JANUARY
Wisconsin
Every Wednesday night from Jan. 3 to Feb. 14, the Lapham Peak State Park in Delafield will have races with weekly point results. The MadNorSki's Elver Park Series continues on Tuesday nights.
Jan. 6 is the day of the Waukesha County Parks Citizens Race (5K and 10K; 2K for kids) in Waukesha
and the Blue Hills Ascent (9K, 14K freestyle and kids 2K) on the Blue Hills Trail northwest of Bruce. That Saturday is also start of the weekend-long Stormy Kromer Pursuit (Sat. 10K classic starting in Montreal, Wis.; Sun. 15K freestyle starting in Mercer), and 24 Hours of Telemark. The latter event at Telemark Lodge in Cable has individuals and teams log as many kilometers as they can in 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours.
Jan. 12-14 is busier yet with the Jan. 13 Seeley Hills Classic (5K, 22K, 42K) taking place in Hayward-Seeley area and the Jan. 12-14 Capitol Square Sprints on man-made snow dumped and groomed around the state capitol building in Madison. The latter event will also include Grand Prix, FIS USSA/CXC matchups and sever as a Junior Olympics qualifier.
Jan. 20 marks the Lapham Loppet (11K freestyle) fund-raiser for snowmaking at Lapham Peak, Dousman;
the Snekkevik Ski Races at the Nine Mile Recreation Area in Wausau; the Fridtjof Nansen Classic (5K and 15K classic and freestyle; 1K kids) at the Tower Ridge Ski Area of Eau Claire; and the Heartland Nordski Freestyle ski race (12K freestyle) at Standing Rocks County Park near Stevens Point.
The racing continues Sunday, Jan. 21, with the Aurora Health Care Greenbush Challenge (15K freestyle,
3K masters and 5K high school) in Greenbush; and the Waukesha County Parks Barnelopet Race for kids (1K and 2K) in Waukesha.
The CXC Nor/Am International Races return to Telemark Resort for Jan. 24 and 27-28, offering events for Olympic hopefuls, youth and citizens alike. And a week before the Badger State Games, as always, will be the Iola Norseman Challenge (18K freestyle, 10K classic) at the Iola Winter Sports Club outside Iola on Jan. 28.
Minnesota
Wednesdays, Jan. 3 through March 7, time trials (4-5K classic and freestyle) will rotate through the Spirit Mountain Nordic Center, Snowflake Nordic Center and on the Lester Park Trails in Dulutth. go to www.duluthxc.com for details.
The Sawtooth Races in Grand Marais (5K and 10K classic and skate; 20K duathlon) and the Coca-Cola Classic in Alexandria (5K HS, 20K for others) is set for Jan. 7. The Crazy Carleton Classic Relays (3.3K)
will take place in Northfield on Jan. 13. The next day is the Boulder Lake Ski Tour (10.5K or 31K freestyle) north of Duluth.
Lighted trails will permit the Montebello Nite Ski (6K classic and freestyle, kids' 2K) to take place in Bemidji. On Jan. 20, head to Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort in Biwabik for the Pepsi Challenge (7K freestyle; 24K and 48K freestyle and classic); or to St. Cloud to classic ski or skate the 10K Graystone
Challenge. That weekend is also when the Nor/Am Super Tour comes to Mt. Itasca in Coleraine (10K and 15K classic Sat.; 10K and 15K freestyle Sun.).
Jan. 27 is the Governor's Cup (25K freestyle) at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. Jan. 28 is the date of the Marine/O'Brien Race (10.5K and .5-4K for kids) in the William O'Brien State Park in Marine On St. Croix; the SMU 10K in Winona; and the Nordic Spirit Ski Race (6K and 13K) at Spirit Mountain, Duluth.
Illinois
The Joliet Nordic Ski Race (11K and 3K fun ski) is set for Jan. 13 in Joliet followed by the Northern Illinois Nordic (4K, 7K, 14K freestyle) on Jan. 14 in Wheaton.
Michigan
The U.S. National Championships are slated to take over the Michigan Tech Trails in Houghton, Jan. 3-7. That will overlap with the Jan. 7 25K MBank Half Noquemanon Preview ending in Marquette and the Boyne Highlands Classic (5K and 13K) in Harbor Springs.
The Hanson Hills Recreation Area in Grayling will stage the Jan. 13 Michigan Cup Marathon (10K, 15K and 30K) and the Jan. 15 Hanson Hills Classic (12K and junior 6K).
Jan. 20 marks the Garland Gripper Classic (6K and 12K) at Garland Resort in Lewiston; the Valley Spur Ski Bash (5K youth; 12K and 24 classic and freestyle) in Munising; and the Talvitohinat Winter Scramble (5K and 10K, 2K youth and skijoring race) on the MTU Trails in Houghton.
Jan. 20 is a packed race day in Michigan, too, with the Copper Island Classic (2K, 5K, and 10K) in Chassell; the Garland Glide Freestyle Race (17.4K) at Garland Resort; and the Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon (51K) and MBank Half Noque (25K) between Ishpeming and Marquette. The latter event also offers 1K and 2.5K kids' races.
Ontario
The Lappe Nordic Ski Center in Thunder Bay will host the Ontario Cup Jan. 13-14. The Thunder Bay area
will also welcome skiers to the Jan. 19 Kamview Classic (5K and 10K), and the Jan. 21 Interclub Relays at the Lappe Nordic center. There will also be the Jan. 20 Sawmill Lake Classic (24K) on the Beaten Path Nordic Trails in the Quetico Provincial Park near Atikokan.
FEBRUARY
Wisconsin
The torch will be burning for the Feb. 3-4 ski events at the Badger State Winter Games. The Nine Mile Ski
Area in Wausau will host the 10K and 20K races, 40K classic and 43K freestyle, as well as the 4K and 7K junior and 1K youth and relay races. The same Saturday, Feb. 3, will be Lap the Lake for the Library (8K skate and classic or snowshoe with luminaria) on Nelson Lake in Hayward.
Then it's the Hayward Lions Pre-Birkie (26K freestyle) on the Birkie Trail in Hayward on Feb. 10 followed by the North End Classic (13K and 24K classic and kids races) starting at Telemark Resort in Cable on
Feb. 11.
Take your pick on Jan. 17 of the Stump Farm Classic (3K grade school, 6K HS, 20K freestyle) in the Brown County Reforestration Camp near Green Bay; Book Across the Bay (10K ski or snowshoe) from Ashland to Washburn via Chequamegon Bay; or the 22K Rib Lake Hinder Binder (kids races, too) in Medford.
Feb. 19 follows with the MadNorSki Subaru Ice Age Challenge (5K freestyle, biathlon and yout races and relays) at the Blackhawk Ski Area in Middleton.
Then it's the extended Birkie weekend: On Thursday, Feb. 22, the Solomon Elite Sprints and Sons of Norway-Swiss Miss Barnebirkie will get Hayward going. On Friday, Cable hosts the 3.5K CenturyTel Junior Birkie and 10K CheqTel Family Fun Ski takes place. The same day is the Hayward C of C Citizen Sprints. Of course Saturday, Feb. 24, is reserved for the 51K Subaru American Birkebeiner, 23K Johnson Bank Kortelopet and the 12K noncompetitive Johnson Bank Prince Haakon tour.
Minnesota
The City of Lakes Loppet (sprints, skijoring, 10K tour, 35K classic and freestyle) will take place at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis on Feb 3-4. The Lumberjack Jaunt (6K and 16K, 1K kids) in the Northland Arboretum of Brainerd is also set for Feb. 4.
A limited number will tackle the Arrowhead 135-mile Winter Ultramarathon on the Arrowhead State Trail to International Falls (on skis, bike or by foot) Feb. 5-7.
Feb. 10 is the Mora Miniloppet kids' raced followed by the Feb 11 Mora Vasaloppet (13K, 35, 42 and 58K) races btween Warman and Mora. that weekend is also the Ely Wilderness Trek (7.5K and 15K classic Sat.; 7.5K and 15K freestyle Sun.) on the Hidden Valley Ski Trails near Ely.
On Feb 17, Bemidji will host the Minnesota Finlandia Ski Marathon (25K classic, 25K and 50K freestyle). The next day, Feb. 18, marks the 10K Erik Judeen Classic at the Korkki Nordic Ski Area in Duluth.
Michigan
the White Pine Stampede (10K, 20K and 50K) is set for Feb. 3 followed the next day by the Junior White Pine Stampede (2.5K and 5K) in Mancelona. Feb. 4 is also the Michigan Cup Sprints (6K and 12K) in Grayling.
Feb. 10 is the North American Vasa Festival of Races (12K, 27K and 50K) and Feb. 11 brings the 16K Vasa Gran Travers Classic, both in Traverse City. That same day is the Snow Sisters Strut (12K) on the Noquemanon Trail at Marquette.
The Big Bay Honey Bear Classic (15K and 30K) will happen in Big Bay on Feb. 17. In the Hanson Hills Recreation Area on Feb. 25 is the 20K Ski for the Groomer race.
Iowa
The Feb. 3-4 Iowa Winter Games (8K classic and 10K freestyle) will come to Dubuque's Murphy Park.
Ontario
The Kamview Ski Tour (15K and 30K) is scheduled for Feb. 3 in Thunder Bay. The Maple Syrup Stampede (7K classic, 20K freestyle) will take off from St. Joseph Island on Feb. 10.
The Hiawatha/Michigan Cup (1-15K classic Sat.; 1-15K freestyle Sun.) will compete in the Hiawatha Highlands of Saint Ste. Marie.
MARCH
Wisconsin
On March 3, skiers will have their choice of the Lakeland Loppet (8K classic, 25K freestyle and kids' races) at Minocqua Winter Park or the River View Loppet (12K classic and freestyle, 24K freestyle, 5K youth) in Brule.
The Chili Bowl Equinox (10K duathlon; hill climb) rounds out the season at Trollhaugen in Dresser on
March 17.
Minnesota
March 3 is the date of the Rainbow Rendezvous (6K classic, 10K freestyle) at the Rainbow Resort in Plymouth; the Buena Vista Sojourn (2K, 6K, 8K and 12K classic and freestyle, races and tours) at the Buena Vista Ski Area in Bemidji; Andes Loppet (5K youth, 20K freestyle) in the Andes Tower Hills of Kensington; and the Upstride Down Ski Race (12K and 25K) on the Noquemanon Trail at Marquette.
On March 10, the Salmela Cup Race/Twin Ports Championship (5K and 10K) will be staged at the Snowflake Nordic Ski Center. The same day is the Hoigaard's Slush Rush Race (5K freestyle) at Hyland Hills in Bloomington. March 17 is the 5K Wooden Ski Rendezvous in Duluth.
Michigan
The March 10-11 weekend is the Junior Bear Chase (Sat. kids' races) and Great Bear Chase (Sun. 26K classic and freestyle, 50K freestyle) in Calumet.
March 17 is race day for the Boyne Highlands Krazy Dayz in Harbor Springs and XC Ski Headquarters Relays in Higgins Lake.
The ABR Spring Race (26K freestyle, sprint relays) is set for March 18 in Ironwood.
Ontario
The Sibley Ski Tour (10K and 20K tours, 20K race) will take place on the Thunder Bay Nordic Trails. The Cross Quetico Lakes Tour (35K, 45K) will embark on March 17.
The Canadian National Championships, March 8-25, will also take place in Thunder Bay, as will the Subaru 24 Hours of Lappe.
Joel Patenaude is the editor of Silent Sports.
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