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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: 2014 Yellowstone Ski Festival

  • Abundant Snow, Big Smiles at 2014 Yellowstone Ski Festival

    Abundant Snow, Big Smiles at 2014 Yellowstone Ski Festival

    WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — The trails were bustling in West Yellowstone, Mont., on Monday, as skiers from across the country gathered on the Rendezvous Ski Trails for the 2014 Yellowstone Ski Festival.

    While ample snow is never a given in West Yellowstone, the festival has had no problem with coverage this fall. With intermittent snow showers throughout November and a heavy snowfall this past Saturday, skiers have shelved their rock skis and set our to explore the 35 k of the Rendezvous trails.

    As in past years, the festival will conclude with the SuperTour season opener at the end of the week. The best skiers of the domestic circuit will race for a chance at various starting positions ranging from the 2015 Junior/U23 World Championships to the 2015 Nordic World Championships. To prove their mettle, skiers will compete in Friday’s freestyle sprint and Saturday’s classic interval start.

    FasterSkier will join the throngs of skiers taking advantage of the extra-blue conditions as the festival continues. Take a look at a small collection of photos from our morning ski below.

  • Better Late Than Never: Cold Temps and Snow in Southwest Montana

    Better Late Than Never: Cold Temps and Snow in Southwest Montana

    West Yellowstone's PistenBully goes out for its maiden voyage of the 2014/2015 winter season on the Rendezvous Ski Trails on Friday, Nov. 14, in West Yellowstone, Mont. "8+ [inches] and still falling,” Yellowstone Ski Festival Program Director Moira Dow wrote in an email. (Photo: Moira Dow)
    West Yellowstone’s PistenBully goes out for its maiden voyage of the 2014/2015 winter season on the Rendezvous Ski Trails on Friday, Nov. 14, in West Yellowstone, Mont. “8+ [inches] and still falling,” Yellowstone Ski Festival Program Director Moira Dow wrote in an email. (Photo: Moira Dow)
    It has been an unseasonably warm and dry fall in Southwest Montana, with highs well above freezing and no snow events, but race directors are feeling better after the arrival of the first winter weather of the season.

    The area plays host to two USSA SuperTour events in the coming weeks — at the Yellowstone Ski Festival on Nov. 28-29 in West Yellowstone, Mont., and at Bohart Ranch Cross Country Ski Center on Dec. 6-7 — and race organizers are confident about the snow situation, particularly in West Yellowstone.

    According to Moira Dow, program director for the Yellowstone Ski Festival (YSF), there were 8 inches of snow at the Rendezvous Ski Trails as of Nov. 16. This is enough to hold the scheduled skate races at the trails, but in the event of a lack of snow, the races would be moved to a plateau six miles from West Yellowstone. As of Sunday, there was a base of 19 inches on the plateau, and according to the National Weather Service (NWS) temperatures should remain below freezing for the next seven days, preventing any significant snowmelt.

    Dow explained that while it is difficult to drive to the plateau — which is usually reserved for snowmobilers — it is well set-up for hosting skiers. Two years ago, YSF organizers moved the races to the plateau, substituting two point-to-point races (a skate prologue and 9-kilometer individual skate race) in place of the scheduled full-fledged sprint and looping 10/15 k individual race. The plateau, however, isn’t as accommodating to spectators, and without a range, it is unable to host biathlon events.

    Both of this year’s cross-country races are scheduled as freestyle, so organizers won’t have to worry about having enough snow to set tracks.

    “We plan for the worst-case scenario and hope for the best-case scenario,” Dow said.

    Fortunately, it looks like Dow and the YSF will not have to worry about the worst-case scenario. The NWS predicts a large-scale Pacific trough to move through the area over this coming weekend, bringing accumulating snow to West Yellowstone. In addition, temperatures are expected to peak at 30 degrees on Thursday and Friday before falling to near 20 by the weekend. The six-to-10 day outlook looks favorable as well, with temperatures remaining below normal and precipitation above normal — meaning snow should keep falling.

    The six-to-10 day outlook looks favorable as well, with temperatures remaining below normal and precipitation above normal — meaning snow should keep falling.

    Bohart Ranch near Bozeman, Mont., on Nov. 18.
    A look at one of the ski trails on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Bohart Ranch near Bozeman, Mont.

    However, conditions are less favorable at Bohart Ranch, located at 6100 feet elevation and 16 miles northeast of Bozeman, Mont. Bohart “has five or six inches of snow,” said ski instructor John Skemp, and is currently closed to skiers. The center also does not have snowmaking capabilities (nor does West Yellowstone).

    Dragan Danevski, nordic program director for the Bridger Ski Foundation, remains optimistic. Three weeks remain until the SuperTour races, and “every snow we get from now on will stick” due to the frozen ground, Danevski said over the phone.

    He explained that the sprint course only requires about four inches of snow before it can be groomed with a snowmobile roller.

    Fortunately, as in West Yellowstone, the forecast looks favorable for additional accumulating snow at Bohart Ranch. The same system affecting West Yellowstone will bring a good chance of snow to Bohart Ranch, while the NWS calls for a high of 32 on Thursday before highs fall to the upper 20s by next week.

    “We depend on nature,” Danevski said, and it looks like in Southwest Montana, skiers will get some help from nature in the next couple weeks.

     

  • Yellowstone Ski Festival Preseason Discount Trail Passes Available

    yellowstone ski festival

    *Order by October 31, 2014 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 $50 each, these passes can be purchased by college, high school and club coaches for $40 each. Passes must be paid for by check and postmarked no later than October 31, 2014 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, postmarked no later than October 31, 2014 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. 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 $50 each, these passes can be purchased by skiers and families for $40 each. Passes must be paid for by check and postmarked no later than October 31, 2014 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 postmarked no later than October 31, 2014 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 23.

    All other passes will be available for pick up at the Rendezvous Trailhead area starting Monday, November 24 at 8 am.  If you will be arriving before these times, please email info@yellowstoneskifestival.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.yellowstoneskifestival.com

  • 2014 Yellowstone Ski Festival Race Invitation

    ussa supertour logo

    USSA SuperTour Opener, West Yellowstone, Montana

     November 28-29, 2014

    Age classes: Juniors, Seniors, Masters.  Open to all skiers.

    Race Formats:  1.3k Freestyle Sprint; 10/15k Freestyle Distance

    Seeding:  USSA rules.

    Friday  November 28 USSA SuperTour Freestyle Sprint 9:00am start

    $35.00 per skier through 5pm, Thursday, November 20.  Multiple race discounts available.

    Late Registration:

    $45.00 per skier from 5pm, Thursday, November 20 until 12 NOON Wednesday, November 26- Online Only.  No paper registrations for late entries.

    Online registration available HERE with a small fee.  Checks payable to West Yellowstone Chamber, USSA waiver required.

    This race is open to ALL skiers.  Competitive racers have the chance to earn points and citizen racers can test their skills against the sport’s top athletes.

    1.3K course, Men and Women.  Freestyle technique.

    9 AM Qualifiers.  15 second intervals with 5 minute break between mens and womens races.  Top 30 men and women senior/master proceed to quarterfinals; top 12 junior female and male racers proceed to “A” and “B” finals.

    11 AM Rounds (5 minutes between starts)

    • Women Quarter Finals (5 heats of 6 racers; top 2 + lucky loser proceed to semi-finals)
    • Men Quarter Finals (5 heats of 6 racers; top 2 + lucky loser proceed to semi-finals)
    • Women Semi Finals (2 heats of 6 racers)
    • Men Semi Finals (2 heats of 6 racers)
    • Women “A” Finals
    • Men “A” Finals
    • Junior Women “B” and “A” Finals
    • Junior Men “B” and “A” Finals

     

    Prize money will be awarded to the top six men and women in accordance with USSA SuperTour guidelines.  Medals will be awarded to the top three athletes in each class.

    Details of the sprint race will be covered at the 1st coaches’ meeting, 5:30 PM Wednesday, November 26 at Race Headquarters (Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center)

     

     

    Saturday November 29  USSA SuperTour Freestyle Race.  10:00am start

    $35.00 per skier through 5pm, Thursday, November 20.  Multiple race discounts available.

    Late Registration:

    $45.00 per skier from 5pm, Thursday, November 20 until 12 NOON Wednesday, November 26- Online Only.  No paper registrations for late entries.

    Online registration available HERE with a small fee.  Checks payable to West Yellowstone Chamber, USSA waiver required.

    Men 15k, Women 10k, regardless of age.

    30 second intervals.

    Details of the race will be covered at the 2nd coaches’ meeting, 5:30 PM Friday, November 28 at Race Headquarters (Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center)

    Prize money will be awarded to the top 6 men and women in accordance with USSA SuperTour Guidelines.  Medals will be awarded to the top three men and women in each class.

    Multiple Race Discount:

    $60 for both races (through 5pm, Thursday, November 20)

    From 5pm Thursday, November 20 until 12 NOON Wednesday, November 26 – Online Only

    Late fee $10 per race.  (Example:  $45.00 per skier (one race) or $80.00 per skier (2 races)).  No paper registrations for late entries.  Online registration available with a small fee.  Checks payable to West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce, USSA waiver required.

    Organizing Committee:

    Yellowstone Ski Festival Director:  Moira Dow, info@yellowstoneskifestival.com

    Chief of Competition:  Travis Hansen, travisdhansen@me.com

    Timing Contractor:  Millisecond Timing, mac@millisecond.com

    Chief of Course:  Peggy Lynn, plynnski@gmail.com

    Chief of Stadium:  David Robinson, david@lavacreekadventures.com

    Chief of Grooming: Doug Edgerton

    Chief of Range: Marc Sheppard, altiusguns@earthlink.net

    Race Secretary:  Magen Crowley, macnmt@gmail.com

    Technical Delegate:  TBD

    Asst Technical Delegate:  TBD

    USSA Nordic Program Manager: Joey Caterinichio, jcaterinichio@ussa.org

    Volunteer Coordinator:  Mindy Morris, contact directly if you are interested in helping at the races.  Mail4minz@gmail.com

     

    Racers MUST be present at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday night and have a current FIS standing to be eligible for prize money.  Unclaimed prize money will be used for grooming and maintenance on the Rendezvous Ski Trails and to support the West Yellowstone Nordic Ski Team.  Any racer earning $600 or more in prize money must fill out a 1099 tax form before receiving payment.

    Collegiate Athletes

    In all sports except tennis, a student-athlete or prospective student-athlete may accept prize money as long as the amount of the prize is less than or equal to his or her expenses for participating in the competition, such as meals or lodging. The prize money may not pay for expenses of parents or coaches.

    Change of Venue:  In the event that there is not enough snow on the Rendezvous Ski Trails to hold the races, the event will be moved to the secondary race location on the South Plateau.  The decision to move the venue will by made by the Jury no later than Tuesday, November 25 at noon.  The race formats will be 1.5K Freestyle Sprint Prologue for Friday, November 28 and 9K Freestyle Distance for Saturday, November 29.  Both races will be point to point.  More information will be provided online and at the coaches’ meetings if there is a change in venue.

    Cancellation:  If the SuperTour Races are cancelled by the Jury on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at noon (for Sprint) and/or Friday, November 28, 2014 at noon (for Freestyle Distance races) due to lack of snow or other natural cause, a partial refund will be issued once non-refundable expenses are calculated.  If races are held and a racer does not compete, no refund will be issued.

    The Rendezvous Ski Trails will remain open to trail pass holders during all races.  Courses will be marked and accessible only to race personnel, registered athletes, and coaches during the event.

     

    altius logo

    Altius Handcrafted Firearms Biathlon Sprint & Novice Race

    $20.00 per skier through 5pm, Thursday, November 20

    $25.00 per skier through 4 pm. Tuesday, November 25- Online Only.  No paper registrations for late entries. 

    Online registration available  (small fee charged).  Checks payable to WYSEF, (WYSEF and USBA waiver required.)

     

    Registration closes on Tuesday November 25 at 4PM for all biathlon races.

    Sprint Race

    Format:  This event will be organized following standard IBU rules for the Sprint Race. The Start will be individual at 30 sec intervals.

    Distance: 10km for Men/Junior Men and 7.5km for Women/Junior Women/Youth Men & Women.

    Awards Schedule:  Prizes provided by Altius Handcrafted Firearms will be awarded to the top 3 in each category.

    Novice Race

    This event is open to all interested skiers*.  No previous biathlon or shooting experience is necessary. A safety clinic will be held just prior to the start of the race.

    *All new biathletes are required to participate in the FREE “Try Biathlon” clinic at the range on Tuesday Nov. 25 from 10:30am to noon.

    Novice Race is also for any experienced Biathletes with their own rifles, but who do not plan to carry their rifles.

    Distance:  4km for all categories. (3 laps of the ORANGE loop).  Map will be posted at stadium area.

    Awards Schedule:  Prizes provided by Altius Handcrafted Firearms will be awarded to the top 3 Men and Women.

    Biathlon Race Schedule

    Monday, November 24

    10:00AM-2:00PM Race Secretary available at Race HQ (Chamber visitor center) to assist with late online registration, answer race questions, and confirm registration.

     

    Tuesday, November 25

    10:30AM-12Noon “Try It” Biathlon Demonstration.  All novice biathletes must attend in order to participate in Wednesday’s race.  (Rendezvous Ski Trails Biathlon Range)

    3:00PM-5:00PM Race Secretary available at Race HQ (Chamber visitor center) to assist with late online Biathlon registration, answer race questions, and confirm registration.

    4:00 PM  Registration closes for ALL BIATHLON RACES

    4:30 PM Biathlon Coaches Meeting at Race Headquarters (Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center)

    Wednesday, November 26

    9:00-10:00 AM  Biathlon Zero and bib pick-up for biathlon sprint and novice race

    10:00 AM Biathlon Sprint Start, Biathlon Cabin/Rendezvous Trails

    *Biathlon Sprint Awards immediately following race, Biathlon Cabin/Rendezvous Trails

    11:00 AM Novice Biathlon Clinic & Start, Biathlon Cabin/Rendezvous Trails

     

    Details of the race can be confirmed with Marc Sheppard at Altius Handcrafted Firearms,406-646-9222,  altiusguns@earthlink.net

    wysef logo

    NNF/WYSEF Masters Race

    Saturday November 29, 12:00PM Start Time (approximate)

    Open to all skiers – 5k Freestyle

    15 second intervals

    $15.00 per skier through 5pm, Friday, November 28

    Online registration available with a small fee.  Checks payable to WYSEF, WYSEF waiver required

    Details of the race will be covered at the Friday 5:30 PM coaches meeting at Race Headquarters (Chamber Visitor Center)

     

    WYSEF Juniors Race

    Saturday November 29, 1:00PM Start Time (approximate)

    U20 & under – 5k Freestyle

    15 second intervals

    $15.00 per skier through 5pm, Friday, November 28

    Online registration available with a small fee.  Checks payable to WYSEF, WYSEF waiver required

    Details of the race will be covered at the Friday 5:30 PM coaches meeting at Race Headquarters (Chamber Visitor Center)

    The Juniors Race is the brainchild of timing contractor, Ernie Page.  He noticed the Yellowstone Ski Festival was the perfect venue for an early race for Juniors also and he was willing to professionally time an extra race for the kids.  Ernie’s Race is intended to follow the SuperTour race allowing Junior racers a chance to ski on a SuperTour course and pick up valuable race experience.  This event is low-keyed and open to age classes U20 and younger.

    Winners of all races will be announced immediately after the race and medals will be presented at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday night.

  • Registration Open for Yellowstone Ski Festival Clinic

    yellowstone ski festival

    YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL CLINICS – Registration Open

    November 25 – 29, 2014

    Kick off your ski season at Yellowstone Ski Festival XC Clinics. Great ski conditions, the Rendezvous trail system and the West Yellowstone ski culture make Thanksgiving week in West Yellowstone the best place in America to transition from dry-land training to on-snow skiing.

    • Train with and learn from an amazing team of coaches (check them out here)
    • Develop and solidify good ski technique
    • Learn how to train more effectively
    • Get excellent on-snow base training to start the season

    Whether you are a focused master skier preparing for the race season or a beginner skier wanting to be more efficient on skis, West Yellowstone XC ski clinics is the place for you to be Thanksgiving week. Check out the full list of clinics and register at: http://www.yellowstoneskifestival.com/clinic-options-cost/

    • The new 5-day race focused training clinic is sure to be a popular this year. World Cup skier Matt Liebsch, Olympian Erich Wilbrecht and former US Ski Team coach Miles Minson are just a few of the top tier coaches working with the clinics this year. Reserve a spot today.