Looking for a unique gift for that special someone on your list? Checkout the Methow Valley Nordic Team’s online auction at 32auctions.com/mvnsef2018. Bid on a wide range of one-of-a-kind items: from local baked goods, ice cream, and coffee, to consultations from dentists, physical therapists, chiropractors and naturopaths, to amazing trips in and around the ‘American Alps’ of the North Cascades – whether it be by glider, airplane, hot air balloon or with a professional guide on backcountry skis. There are stays at backcountry huts, at luxurious lodges, and at homes in the city complete with theater tickets! For the athletic type, there are entries into ski and running races, stonegrinding, ski camps, clinics, and training groups, gym memberships and personal training. For the domestic, there are artistic touches for the home, with decorative signs and beautiful prints, or you can get some help around the home with labor from Ski Team athletes. With over a hundred items, there is truly something for everyone!
The auction closes December 10, so be sure to get your bid in today!
All proceeds go to support the Methow Valley Nordic Team – helping keep team costs low and the sport accessible to more families, while providing an opportunity for skiers to reach the Olympic level.
The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) would like to share some big news. MVSTA has a new name: Methow Trails! We are excited to share our new name, new logo, and new web address.
Why did we change our name? Well, honestly we knew that “Methow Valley Sport Trails Association” was a mouthful and our acronym of MVSTA often got in the way of sharing great trail experiences. Not only is our new name shorter, but it emphasizes the two things most important to our organization: the Methow and Trails. Going forward, we expect to spend more time talking about amazing trail experiences and less time explaining our name.
Methow Trails remains committed to enhancing, and growing trail opportunities in the Methow Valley. This winter season we will continue to operate North America’s largest cross-country ski area with over 120 miles of ski trail where kids 17 and under ski free everyday. We will continue to offer our signature programs and events along with new trailside amenities and communication tools to provide you with the best trail experience possible. We will continue our dedicated work as a non-profit organization in offering year-round trail opportunities and management of 11 Methow Valley trailheads.
We are proud of our 37 year history. The organization has updated its name twice in the past as it has evolved. We are proud to showcase our new name and look, but more importantly, we are excited to more easily showcase our trails. We hope you will have the opportunity this winter to join us for a ski, fat bike, or snowshoe.
You can follow us on the digital trail at methowtrails.org, on Facebook at Methow Trails, via our free Methow Trails grooming apps, or stop into our office in downtown Winthrop.
2013 Methow Valley Nordic Festival Pursuit – Day 2
Gear up for the Winter Olympics in the sunny Methow Valley! Join Nordic skiers from across the Northwest in the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association’s 30-kilometer Methow Valley Pursuit ski race on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Like a wintertime Cutthroat Classic – MVSTA’s popular late-summer trail run that rewards runners with the spectacular views and terrain of the North Cascades – the Pursuit course features steady climbs, steady descents and stunning views at the top. And in a first for Pacific Northwest Nordic skiing, the Methow Valley Pursuit is now on the acclaimed American Ski Marathon calendar, North America’s longest-running citizen’s racing and touring series.
Due to uneven snow conditions on the usual valley-floor race route, the Pursuit course has been shifted to start at the Cub Creek trailhead, climb over Rendezvous Pass, and drop into the Rendezvous Basin, following the terrain of the Rendezvous Mountain Ski Tour. A one-day race this year, the classic event has been cancelled, with the individual skate race taking its place on Saturday. Skate skiers of all abilities are invited to try the challenging endurance course at their own pace.
Cost of the race is $40, free for skiers under 17, which includes shuttle bus service and a commemorative ski hat. Awards will be given to winners in each age category. Register at www.mvsta.com.
Other events in the two-day Nordic Festival weekend include Backyard Ski Day on Friday (Jan. 24), with free skiing on 75 kilometers of expertly groomed trails, free cross-country ski rentals, and free lessons from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mazama Corral trailhead. And don’t miss Saturday night’s Nordic Festival Party and Dinner, a fundraiser for the Methow Valley Nordic Team, at the Winthrop Barn from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dinner tickets are $10-$16 in advance, available by emailing mvntdirector@gmail.com.
The Methow Valley Pursuit is sponsored by Winthrop Mountain Sports and 13 other local businesses. For more information go to www.mvsta.com, or contact Program Manager Danica Ready at events@mvsta.com, or (509) 996-3287.
The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) is a non-profit organization that connects people to the special nature of the Methow Valley and supports community vitality.
The MVSTA trail system includes over 120 miles of cross country ski trails in the winter months, and is recognized as one of the finest trail systems in North America for Nordic skiing, mountain biking, trail running and hiking.
2013 Methow Valley Nordic Festival Pursuit – Day 2
The Methow Valley Nordic Festival starts Friday, January 24 and continues through Sunday, January 26 with events and activities for every skill, age and ability. The Nordic Festival is a perfect way to celebrate the winter season and the upcoming Winter Olympics. The weekend events include the signature Methow Valley Pursuit ski race which offers a relay option for friends, families and businesses to participate in! The Pursuit ski race is also now part of the acclaimed American Marathon Ski Series. One of 15 select ski races in the nation, promising to draw new participants to the region.
Don’t miss any of the action.
Some of the highlighted events can be found below.
Friday, January 24
Backyard Ski Day. This community-wide event offers everyone free skiing, free cross-country ski rentals, free ski lessons, free snow cat rides, free ice skating, free kid activities and more. 10:00am -3:00pm at the Winthrop Town Trailhead.
Saturday, January 25
Methow Valley Pursuit Ski Race. Day one of the Pursuit ski race with a 15 kilometer classic ski race that is open to all skiers. 10:00am start at the Sun Mountain Chickadee Trailhead.
Ski Dinner. Enjoy a salmon dinner, beer garden and live music at this Methow Valley Nordic Team Fundraiser. 5:30pm – 8:00pm at the Winthrop Barn.
Sunday, January 26
Methow Valley Pursuit Ski Race.28 kilometer individual or team relay skate ski race from Winthrop to Mazama. The race is called a “pursuit” as each racer is pursuing the racers who finished ahead of them from the previous day’s classic ski race. An award ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the race at the Mazama Community Center.
Title sponsorship for the Methow Valley Pursuit is provided by Winthrop Mountain Sports. Other sponsors include: Blue Sky Real Estate, Central Reservations, Chewuch Inn, Freestone Inn, Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies, Inner Passage, Lariat Coffee, Methow Cycle and Sport, Nordic Ultratune, Rivers Edge Resort, Rocking Horse Bakery, Smartwool and Sun Mountain Lodge. Race support is also provided by Hammer Nutrition and FasterSkier.
For more information on the Methow Valley Nordic Festival contact events@mvsta.com or Danica Ready, Program Manager at 509-996-3287.
The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) is a non-profit organization that connects people to the special nature of the MethowValley and support community vitality.
The MVSTA trail system includes over 120 miles of cross country ski trails in the winter months, and is recognized as one of the finest trail systems in North America for Nordic skiing, mountain biking, trail running and hiking.
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