Michigan State High School Cross Country Skiing Championships

The Michigan State High School Cross Country Skiing Championships will be hosted by the Superiorland Ski Club at the Forestville Trailhead on Friday February 19 and Saturday February 20.  The SSC encourages the ski community to come out and cheer on the racers for these events.  We have 90 registered high school racers from Marquette, Ironwood, Houghton, Traverse City, Petoskey and a guest team from Soo Canada this year, making it an international event as well as a State meet.  Volunteers are working hard along with NTN groomers to prepare good race course using the Noque, Boozhoo, Gookookoo, Migizi, Bagwaji and Chiwaji trail sections. The course maps and profiles will be posted on line on the SSC web site (www.superiorlandskiclub.com) and will also be on the bulletin board in the pole barn.

We ask that skiers using the trails respect the race courses and events (schedules below).  During the events the race courses will be closed to other skiers.

The Animoosh trail will remain open to skiers and spectators during the races.  There is a short section (about 200 meters) under the power line at the Lake Superior overlook where the Animoosh and Noque trails converge.  There will be pin flags along this section – please stay outside of the flags while skiing through that section during the races.  Also, if you enjoy skiing with your dog on Animoosh, please consider leaving them home during the races, or instead use the Tourist Park trailhead for dog walking during the races.

Schedule of Events:

Friday Feb 19.  Classic Sprints

Course:  Stadium and Boozhoo Sprint Loop (1.1 km)

Times:  2:00 – 2:45 Qualifiers

3:00 – 6:00 pm Elimination Rounds

Saturday Feb 20.  Freestyle/Classic Pursuit

Courses:  5 km and 6 km (Stadium, Noque, Gookookoo, Migizi, Bagwaji, Chiwaji, and Boozhoo loop)

Times:  10 am – 12 pm Freestyle Individual Starts

3 pm – 5:30 pm Classic Pursuit

Honey Bear Classic Ski Race set for February 27

Noquemanon Trail Network and the “Friends of the Pathway” will host the annual

Honey Bear Classic Ski Race in Big Bay, MI on Saturday, February 27, 2010. Racers of all ages will compete on the 15 K or 30 K classic course set around the scenic Big Bay Pathway.

Registration will begin at 10:00 am at the Thunder Bay Inn.. Races begin at 12:00 noon at the Pathway trailhead staging area.

Entry fee is $25.  Ages 10 and under ski free. Awards Ceremony with music, door prizes and refreshments will begin around 2:45 pm. Food tickets will be on sale for $5.00.

Entry forms are available at local sport shops and here 2010 Entry form HONEY BEAR.  Fill out and mail to: NTN, PO Box 746, Marquette, MI 49855.  Fax to: 906.273.1114.  Please follow up with a phone call to make sure fax has been received. 906.235.6861.

National Trails Day is Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Yes, the Wednesday night relays are back.  We are going back to the roots of the fun Wednesday night relay series that we all loved.  Greg Nelson will be back at the helm and the format, timing and fun will be like it used to be.

The relays will be three person teams.  Two of the skiers will freestyle and one will stride (some nights will be all one technique as the trail demands.)

The Relays will be FREE for any Superiorland Ski Club members.

Time will be at 6pm weekly to keep it more comfortable for participants.

Locations:

January 6^th:  BB Ridge (lighted loop)

January 13^th:  Fit strip (Marquette)

January 20^th:  NTN Trail head (Forestville)

January 27^th:  BB Ridge (classic parking lot) (bring headlamp!!)

February 3^rd:  Marquette Mountain (all skiers Freestyle)

February 10^th:  NTN Forestville Trail head

February 17^th:  Al Quaal (all classic-bring a headlamp)

February 24^th:  Fit Strip (Marquette)

Register your teams at the first event and make sure you are signed up for the Ski Club this year so you can enjoy the fun.  Sign up for the club today at Superiorlandskiclub.com

Jeff Stasser 906-226-7112 (for questions)  jeff@downwindsports.com

Free Skate Ski lessons.  7pm @ Forestville NTN trailhead

There will be 3 classes each night to help all levels of skiers learn and improve their skating technique.  Beginners are welcome!  Free rentals are available for people wanting to give skating a try for the first time.  Skiers can also request a demo on that night of the new X.ium Skate ski from Rossignol.  Skiers must display trail pass.

Lessons take place each Monday night from January 4^th and end on February 15^th.

Bassic x-c ski lessons ($10 donation to NTN required)

January 16^th 10am Forestville NTN Trail head  (rental gear available at NTN trailhead or Down Wind Sports) (trail pass required)

Advanced Classic ski clinic ($10.00 donation to NTN required)

January 16^th -Noon – NTN Trail head Forestville   (trail pass required)

Basic Wax Clinic (X-C)

December  14^th (at Down Wind Sports) 9:30am

December 28^th (at Down Wind Sports) 9:30 am

January 16^th (at Down Wind Sports) 9:30am

Advanced Wax Clinic (with Toko Race Prep Team)  Jan 29^th (at Down Wind Sports) (Time TBD)