Author: West Yellowstone

*Order by October 31, 2019 for the best rate 

Prepaid trail passes are available through October 31, 2019 for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Passes are valid from November 1-30, 2019.

To purchase-

Discounted passes for the month of November are available now. Regularly $55 each, these passes can be purchased by any skier for $45 each. Skiers 10 and younger are $22. Passes purchased via mail must be paid for by check and postmarked no later than October 31, 2019 to qualify for the special rate.

To qualify for this incentive, skiers or coaches must send the attached form containing the following information:

1)      A complete list of skiers attending the Yellowstone Ski Festival

2)      The exact name of the lodging establishment you will be staying in while in West Yellowstone

3)      Your arrival date

4)      Contact info including email and phone number

5)      One check for all your ski passes, postmarked no later than October 31, 2019 to:

West Yellowstone Preseason Trail Pass Form 2019

The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce

ATTN: Yellowstone Ski Festival Coordinator

PO Box 458

West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Trail passes will be delivered to the front desk of your hotel prior to your arrival. Other options for pick-up are listed on the form. Please read carefully. There will be one package of passes delivered and coaches are responsible for distributing the passes to their teams. Please let your team members know that they will have to get their pass directly from you. Prepaid passes for the Rendezvous Ski Trails are non-refundable.

For more information on the Yellowstone Ski Festival, please visit www.SkiRunBikeMT.com/yellowstone-ski-festival

Come and join our professional coaching staff to get a “jump start” on your 2019 – 2020 ski season during the Yellowstone Ski Festival, November 26-30, 2019.  The staff provides a solid understanding of technique, and gives you the tools and drills to gain efficiency and strength at the camp and throughout your ski season. The coaching staff is composed of an elite group of XC ski professionals which includes retired world class skiers, coaches and professional instructors. Coaches will rotate through groups every ½ day session so you will get exposure to different coaches throughout your clinic. The coaches think snow and skiing just about year round, and are ready to give you just the tips and techniques you need to launch your season with the best focus for you.

This is no stand-around-and-learn kind of deal either. The coaches know that the best way to ingrain effective movement is through practice. Plan on logging some k’s. You’ll also get feedback, in the dose that’s right for you. While some just need a new focus and mileage, others benefit from a more consistent stream of information about whether and how much they’re performing the task to the desired degree. The coaches know how to pace the flow of information, and offer up a great balance of new information, drills, and practice.

Not only will you get great instruction and a fitness bump for skiing 1, 2, 3 or 5 days, but you’ll be immersed in a touchstone event for the cross country ski culture, with on snow demos, an indoor expo and lectures in the evening. Event organizers bring in a keynote lecture to entertain and inspire. There’s even sessions called Women, Wine and Wax or Whiskers, Whiskey and Wax.

Some of the special offerings include:

• 5 and 3-Day Skate & Classic Technique for Performance (all levels)
• 3-Day Skate & Classic Camp for Master Racers
• 2-Day Skate & Classic Tune-up
• 2-Day Junior Clinic (ages 10-14)
• 2 and 1-Day Improve Your Skate Technique
• 1-Day Improve Your Classic Technique
• 1-Day Classic Touring
• 1-Day Learn to Skate Ski
• 1-day Coaching Clinic includes US Ski and Snowboard XC Level 100 on snow technique clinic credit

Enjoy your First Tracks in West Yellowstone. Whether First Tracks truly means the corduroy and you, or it is the first time on skis this season, or the first time on skis period; you are invited to take them at the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Think Snow and make plans now to attend the 2019 Yellowstone Ski Festival. For more information, visit http://www.skirunbikemt.com/yellowstone-ski-festival and follow westyellxcski on Twitter, or friend RendezvousSkiTrails on Facebook for up-to-minute news.

There will be a USSA/FIS training seminar for individuals interested in putting on (competition committee/organizing committee work) or officiating (technical delegate/jury work) competitive cross country ski races.  Current USSA technical delegates will present the training, and topics will include:

• Organizing a ski race
• Stadium and course set-up
• “Rules” of cross-country ski racing, including technique, formats, and jury work
• Sprint and distance formats and competition management
• Timing
• Points and rankings
• Grooming, salting, and summer course management, including course design and homologation requirements

The course will be held in conjunction with the Yellowstone Ski Festival, and will be held at the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce, November 18-19, 2018.

Participants who complete the course will be qualified (if other USSA licensing requirements are met) to act as technical delegates for USSA sanctioned cross-country ski races.

Licensed USSA officials (requires joining USSA, passing a background check, and completing safe sport training): $40

USSA members: $75

Non-USSA members: $100

Registration Now Open for Yellowstone Ski Festival Clinics

Come and join our professional coaching staff to get a “jump start” on your 2018 – 2019 ski season during the Yellowstone Ski Festival, November 20-24, 2018.  The staff provides a solid understanding of technique, and gives you tools and drills to gain efficiency and strength at the camp and throughout your ski season. The coaching staff is composed of an elite group of XC ski professionals which includes retired world class skiers, coaches and professional instructors. Coaches will rotate through groups every ½ day session so you will get exposure to different coaches throughout your clinic. The coaches think snow and skiing just about year round, and are ready to give you just the tips and techniques you need to launch your season with the best focus for you.

This is no stand-around-and-learn kind of deal either. The coaches know that the best way ingrain effective movement is through practice. Plan on logging some k’s. You’ll also get feedback, in the dose that’s right for you. While some just need a new focus and mileage, others benefit from a more consistent stream of information about whether and how much they’re performing the task to the desired degree. The coaches know how to pace the flow of information, and offer up a great balance of new information, drills, and practice.

Not only will you get great instruction and a fitness bump for skiing 1, 2, 3 or 5 days, but you’ll be immersed in a touchstone event for the cross country ski culture, with on snow demos, an indoor expo and lectures in the evening. Event organizers bring in a keynote lecture to entertain and inspire. There’s even sessions called Women, Wine and Wax or Whiskers, Whiskey and Wax.

Some of the special offerings include:

• 5 and 3-Day Skate & Classic Technique for Performance (all levels)
• 3-Day Skate & Classic Camp for Master Racers
• 2-Day Skate & Classic Tune-up
• 2-Day Juior Clinic (ages 10-14)
• 2 and 1-Day Improve Your Skate Technique
• 1-Day Improve Your Classic Technique
• 1-Day Classic Touring
• 1-Day Learn to Skate Ski
• 1-day USSA Level 100 Coaching Certification Technique Clinic

Enjoy your First Tracks in West Yellowstone. Whether First Tracks truly means the corduroy and you, or it is the first time on skis this season, or the first time on skis period; you are invited to take them at the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Think Snow and make plans now to attend the 2018 Yellowstone Ski Festival. For more information, visit http://www.skirunbikemt.com/yellowstone-ski-festival and follow westyellxcski on Twitter, or friend RendezvousSkiTrails on Facebook for up-to-minute news.

Are you ready to put a winter’s worth of training to the test while you enjoy the beauty of the Yellowstone region? You are invited to participate in the 38th annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race on March 4th, 2017 in West Yellowstone, Montana.

There are six different races to choose from depending on your age and ability:  2K, 5K, 10K, 25K classic, 25K and 50K. The six races are run concurrently and skiers of all ages and abilities participate every year. Returning for 2017: An Elite group start for the 25k and 50k has been added for Wave 1.  To qualify for this group, the skier must have a Top 30 finish in any 2015/16 or 2016/17 ASMS race. Skier must provide proof of qualifying place at time of registration.

The Rendezvous Race is the culmination of cross country ski racing in our region and, as the name implies, it is a reunion of old timers and new comers alike who have trained and skied on our trail system for years or who are skiing here for the first time.  Run on the beautifully groomed, rolling terrain of the Rendezvous Ski Trails, there is no better way to celebrate the end of the winter season than to ski in the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race!

The 2017 Yellowstone Rendezvous Race will once again be part of the American Ski Marathon Series – North America’s longest-running and largest citizen’s racing and touring series – that highlights long distance ski events throughout the country. In the past, the race has attracted over 800 skiers. This year’s theme is 80’s Big Hair Band!

The race will be limited to the first one thousand participants registered. Registration needs to be received by March 2, 2017.The entry fee includes participation in the race, bail-out shuttles along the course, aid stations, finish area food and refreshments as well as race souvenirs and promotional materials. The entry fee also includes admission to the Awards Ceremony and dessert to be held at the West Yellowstone Holiday Inn.

From 6:00 to 9:00 PM Saturday at the West Yellowstone Ice Rink, warm-up with hot beverages, toast some marshmallows, and make your own S’ more. All the fixings provided. Bring your own sled for our Kid’s Sledding Hill. Or, try out West Yellowstone’s ice skating rink. (Limited number of skates will be available free of charge). Old-fashioned family fun for every one of every age! The rink is located at Pioneer Park, just 3 blocks north of Yellowstone Avenue.

More information, schedule and registration, visit skirunbikemt.com.

Yellowstone Ski Festival 2016 is just around the corner. At present, there is no snow on the ski trails, but the surfaces have been rolled and ready for when the flakes do start to fly. Forecasts from PowderChasers.com is calling for 6”-10” of snow by the end of next week in Southern Montana.

Yellowstone Ski Festival staff is planning for 3 different scenarios: A – Skiing on groomed Rendezvous Ski Trails; B – skiing on groomed South Plateau trails; C – no skiing at either location. While everyone is hopeful for Plan A or Plan B, YSF staff won’t leave you hanging! Check out the rough details for the alternate plans below:

Plan B: In the event that there is not enough snow on the Rendezvous Ski Trails, the ski events will move to the secondary venue of the South Plateau. The Friday and Saturday races would still take place, each being a 9k point-to-point race. On Snow Gear Demos will move to the Plateau, as well. Après Ski events will remain at the Rendezvous Ski Trails trailhead area. Shuttle buses will run from town to the Plateau trailheads and there will be parking for vehicles.

Plan C: In the event that there is not enough snow on the South Plateau to hold the races, Yellowstone Ski Festival will host the following events:

• Wednesday:
  • Summer Biathlon – A running biathlon for IBU and Novice classes will be held on the Rendezvous Ski Trails.
  • Rollerski Sprint – Depending on the state of the roads, a rollerski race will be held in the afternoon at the Bakers Hole Campground, just a couple miles outside of town. Prize money will be awarded to the top finishers.
• Friday: Trail Run on the Rendezvous Ski Trails
  • The distances options will be 10k, 5k, and 2k. Prize money will be awarded to the top finishers.
• Saturday: Rollerski Distance Race
  • Location is still to be determined. Prize money will be awarded to the top finishers.
• Indoor Expo and all evening activities at the Holiday Inn will take place as scheduled.
• Apres Ski and S’mores will take place at the Trailhead Area as scheduled.
• On Snow Demo is to be determined.

More information, including details about the different scenarios and refund information, is available on at www.SkiRunBikeMT.com/general-information

Yellowstone National Park is currently open for administrative travel only. During this time, the roads are open and free of charge to all cyclists, pedestrians, and rollerskiers. There are no services and access can change based on weather. Freeheel & Wheel is renting bicycles for those interested in enjoying the Park.

All the evening events at the Holiday Inn Festival Headquarters happen – rain, shine, or snow!

Join us for keynote speaker Ruff Patterson, and win great prizes at the annual WYSEF Raffle, all at the Holiday Inn, Yellowstone Ski Festival’s event headquarters. For a full list of the evening events, visit www.SkiRunBikeMT.com.

Think Snow and make plans now to attend the 2016 Yellowstone Ski Festival. For more information, visit http://www.skirunbikemt.com/yellowstone-ski-festival and follow westyellxcski on Twitter, or friend Yellowstone Ski Fest on Facebook for up-to-minute news.

http://powderchasers.com/uncategorized/moderate-snow-will-falling-western-states-mid-next-week

Albany County, in partnership with the Wyoming Consortium for Veterans Activities, was awarded a $200,735.00 Adaptive Sports Grant to assist disabled veterans across Wyoming. The Casper Mountain Biathlon Club was part of the consortium awarded funding to improve access to sports activities for veterans across Wyoming. The announcement came last month as part of a $7.8 million dollar competitive grant initiative from the United States Veterans Administration (VA).

The aim of the grant is to support adaptive sports and recreation for veterans and active duty military. According to the VA, funding may be used for a wide range of activities, from preparing “high-level athletes for Paralympic competition” to supporting “activities ranging from rowing, cycling, equestrian sports, and Tai Chi.” According to the most recent reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 10,108 veterans living in Wyoming currently receiving VA benefits. To date, current veteran’s sports activities are serving less than 1% of the population.

Casper Mountain Biathlon Club has been the recipient of an Adaptive Sports Grant form the Dept. of Veteran Affairs in past years. “The club is thrilled to be part this consortium that will increase the reach of adaptive sports programs in the state as well as introduce Veterans from around the country to all that Wyoming has to offer, including adaptive biathlon” states Cathy Rosser, CMBC representative. Casper Mountain Biathlon Club is the only Paralympic Sport Club in Wyoming and has in the last year constructed Biathlon and Nordic Training and Competition facility. The newly constructed facility features a range and trails that meet Paralympic competeition standards. Coming up in November CMBC will be partnering up with the West Yellowstone Ski Festival, Nov 22 – 26, to offer adaptive biathlon and Nordic skiing as part of the festival, which draws over a thousand skiers from all over the nation for a week of training, racing and festivities.

Marty Martinez, Senior Project Coordinator for the University of Wyoming Veterans Services Center, notes the importance of serving veterans on campus. “As our veterans and military personnel attend UW and begin the transition to civilian life, many can encounter new difficulties or challenges from physical or mental health injury, limitation, or disability as a result of       their military service. By providing training, coaching, services, and adaptive equipment to support these veterans, we can increase the health and quality of life of our students – and all veterans – who choose to participate in the program. We are proud to be a member of the Consortium and look forward to working with our partners to better serve our veterans at the University of Wyoming and Albany County.”

Partners for the grant consortium include the Wyoming VFW, the Wyoming National Guard, the Veterans Commission, Casper Vet Center, Wyoming Veterans Services Center, Teton Adaptive Sports, Albany School District #1, Casper Mountain Biathlon Club, U.S. Biathlon Association, U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing, Yellowstone Ski Festival, University of Wyoming, the City of Laramie, CrossFit 7220, and the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.

Additional information about the program and grant awardees may be found at www.va.gov/adaptivesports.

*Order by October 31, 2015 for the best rate 

Prepaid trail passes are now available for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Passes are valid from November 1-30. Passes can be purchased through the mail or online.

For coaches, clubs, and teams-

Discounted passes for the month of November are available now. Regularly $55 each, these passes can be purchased by college, high school and club coaches for $45 each. Passes must be paid for by check and received no later than October 31, 2016 to qualify for the special rate.

To qualify for this incentive, coaches must send the attached form containing the following information:

1)      A complete list of athletes attending the Yellowstone Ski Festival

2)      The exact name of the lodging establishment you will be staying in while in West Yellowstone

3)      Your arrival date

4)      Contact info including email and phone number

5)      One check for all your ski passes, received no later than October 31, 2016 to:

The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce

ATTN: Yellowstone Ski Festival Coordinator

PO Box 458

West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Trail passes will be delivered to the front desk of your hotel prior to your arrival. Other options for pick-up are listed on the form. Please read carefully. There will be one package of passes delivered and coaches are responsible for distributing the passes to their teams. Please let your team members know that they will have to get their pass directly from you. Prepaid passes for the Rendezvous Ski Trails are non-refundable.

For individual skiers-

Discounted passes for the month of November are available now. Regularly $55 each, these passes can be purchased by skiers and families for $45 each. Passes must be paid for by check and received no later than October 31, 2016 to qualify for this special rate.

To qualify for this incentive, skiers must send the following:

1)  A complete list of skiers in your group attending the Yellowstone Ski Festival

2)   One check for their ski passes received no later than October 31, 2016 to:

The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce

ATTN: Yellowstone Ski Festival Coordinator

PO Box 458

West Yellowstone, MT 59758

For groups of 5 or more, trail passes will be delivered to your place of lodging, if within the town of West Yellowstone.  Passes will be at the lodging facility no later than Sunday, November 20.

All other passes will be available for pick up at one of the designated locations listed on the form.  If you will be arriving before these times, please email info@SkiRunBikeMT.com to make arrangements.

Prepaid passes for the Rendezvous Ski Trails are non-refundable.

Passes may be purchased online (for a small processing fee) at http://yellowstoneskifestival.athlete360.com/

For more information on the Yellowstone Ski Festival, please visit www.SkiRunBikeMT.com

Come and join our professional coaching staff to get a “jump start” on your 2016 – 2017 ski season during the Yellowstone Ski Festival.  The staff provides a solid understanding of technique, and gives you tools and drills to gain efficiency and strength at the camp and throughout your ski season. The coaching staff is composed of an elite group of XC ski professionals which includes retired world class skiers, coaches and professional instructors.   Coaches will rotate through groups every ½ day session so you will get exposure to different coaches throughout your clinic. The coaches think snow and skiing just about year round, and are ready to give you just the tips and techniques you need to launch your season with the best focus for you.

This is no stand-around-and-learn kind of deal either. The coaches know that the best way ingrain effective movement is through practice. Plan on logging some k’s. You’ll also get feedback, in the dose that’s right for you. While some just need a new focus and mileage, others benefit from a more consistent stream of information about whether and how much they’re performing the task to the desired degree. The coaches know how to pace the flow of information, and offer up a great balance of new information, drills, and practice.

Not only will you get great instruction and a fitness bump for skiing 1, 2, 3 or 5 days, but you’ll be immersed in a touchstone event for the cross country ski culture, with on snow demos, an indoor expo and lectures in the evening. Event organizers bring in a keynote lecture to entertain and inspire. There’s even sessions called Women, Wine and Wax or Whiskers, Whiskey and Wax.

Some of the special offerings include:

• 5 and 3-Day Skate & Classic Technique for Performance (all levels)
• 3-Day Skate & Classic Camp for Master Racers
• 2-Day Skate & Classic Tune-up
• 2 and 1-Day Improve Your Skate Technique
• 1-Day Improve Your Classic Technique
• 1-Day Classic Touring (new to Nordic skiing)
• 1-Day Learn to Skate Ski
• 1-day Ski Technique for Coaches Workshop

Enjoy your First Tracks in West Yellowstone. Whether First Tracks truly means the corduroy and you, or it is the first time on skis this season, or the first time on skis period; you are invited to take them at the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Think Snow and make plans now to attend the 2016 Yellowstone Ski Festival. For more information, visit http://www.skirunbikemt.com/yellowstone-ski-festival and follow westyellxcski on Twitter, or friend Yellowstone Ski Fest on Facebook for up-to-minute news.

The Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, Montana still have some great snow. Everyone is invited to take part in our new Nordic Ski Event March 18-20th, 2016. Tour de Spam is a three (3) day Nordic Ski stage event, featuring Montana’s first night race!

Friday night will be a 3K Prologue in the Freestyle Technique. We will use the 1K lap, with floodlights and lanterns. All racers will be advised to wear a headlamp. Race will start at 7:00pm. Saturday will feature a 7.5 K classic race. Sunday will feature the distance event as racers will go 15K Freestyle. Saturday and Sunday races will start at 9:00am. The racer with the fastest overall time in the 3 races will be declared the winner.

Sign up for this series of low key, but challenging races or just one day.  Prizes awarded to those who stuck it out and raced all three day (top 3 male and female overall finishers).

All ages and all levels of skiers invited. The challenge for most racers is this: completing all three races without exhaustion setting in!

For more information and registration visit skirunbikemt.com

Are you ready to put a winter’s worth of training to the test while you enjoy the beauty of the Yellowstone region? You are invited to participate in the 36th annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race on March 5th, 2016 in West Yellowstone, Montana.

There are six different races to choose from depending on your age and ability:  2K, 5K, 10K, 25K classic, 25K and 50K. The six races are run concurrently and skiers of all ages and abilities participate every year. NEW for 2016: An Elite group start for the 25k and 50k has been added for Wave 1.  To qualify for this group, the skier must have a Top 30 finish in any 2014/15 or 2015/16 ASMS race.  Skier must provide proof of qualifying place at time of registration. The Rendezvous Race is the culmination of cross country ski racing in our region and, as the name implies, it is a reunion of old timers and new comers alike who have trained and skied on our trail system for years or who are skiing here for the first time.  Run on the beautifully groomed, rolling terrain of the Rendezvous Ski Trails, there is no better way to celebrate the end of the winter season than to ski in the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race!

The 2016 Yellowstone Rendezvous Race will once again be part of the American Ski Marathon Series – North America’s longest-running and largest citizen’s racing and touring series – that highlights long distance ski events throughout the country. In the past, the race has attracted over 800 skiers. This year’s theme is Jimmy Buffet!

The race will be limited to the first one thousand participants registered. Registration needs to be received by March 3, 2015.The entry fee includes participation in the race, bail-out shuttles along the course, aid stations, finish area food and refreshments as well as race souvenirs and promotional materials. The entry fee also includes admission to the Awards Ceremony and dessert to be held at the West Yellowstone Holiday Inn.

From 6:00 to 9:00 PM Saturday at the West Yellowstone Ice Rink, warm-up with hot beverages, toast some marshmallows, and make your own S’ more. All the fixings provided. Bring your own sled for our Kid’s Sledding Hill. Or, try out West Yellowstone’s ice skating rink. (Limited number of skates will be available free of charge). Old-fashioned family fun for every one of every age! The rink is located at Pioneer Park, just 3 blocks north of Yellowstone Avenue.

Then join us Sunday morning for the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation’s Youth Ski Festival, back at the Rendezvous Ski Trailhead. Festival includes games, obstacle course and more!

More information, schedule and registration, visit skirunbikemt.com.