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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: Rendezvous

  • Another Strange Year for West, in a Good Way (Photo Gallery)

    Another Strange Year for West, in a Good Way (Photo Gallery)

    Hundreds of skiers took to the Rendezvous Ski Trails on Tuesday in West Yellowstone, Mont.
    Hundreds of skiers took to the Rendezvous Ski Trails on Tuesday in West Yellowstone, Mont. With complete coverage and all the trails open, it’s a good start to the season — but the snow’s a little different.

    WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — The low-snow November woes of 2012 and 2008 are a distant memory for those in West Yellowstone as hundred of cross-country skiers frolicked along the Rendezvous Ski Trails on Tuesday. Several elite teams from across the U.S. have been in town for more than a week, skiing on more than 35 kilometers of trails at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level.

    Hundreds of skiers took to the Rendezvous Ski Trails on Tuesday in West Yellowstone, Mont.
    Bridger Ski Foundation juniors on the Deja View trail on Tuesday in West Yellowstone, Mont.

    On his ninth day there, Bill Pierce, head coach of the Central Cross Country (CXC) Team, said the conditions are the best they’ve been in 30 years.

    Other teams, like Alaska Pacific University (APU), arrived on Saturday after spending a few days north in Bozeman, Mont., and Stratton Mountain School (SMS) skiers have been in West for about a week leading up to the first SuperTour races of the season on Friday and Saturday.

    Overseeing the trail-pass distribution for the weeklong Yellowstone Ski Festival, Brian Wilson said the trails have been busy. He estimated 400 to 500 skiers were on the trails Tuesday — coming and going, before and after lunch.

    While West might not have as much snow as past Novembers, Wilson said it’s definitely been one of the most consistent snow years to date. A U.S. Forest Service member said there was 3 1/2 feet of snow on Black Bear Cutoff, a snowmobile trail on the South Plateau, south of the nordic trails.

    Rendezvous’ chief groomer Doug Edgerton said an unusual mix of high-humidity, plus-temperature storms have made the snow especially skiable. The most recent storm took place just over a week ago with temperatures as warm as 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit) high up on Windy Ridge. During the storm temperatures dropped significantly, around -10 degrees Celsius (14 Fahrenheit), which resulted in ice crystals — “a lot like manmade snow,” Edgerton said.

    From Nov. 17-19, about 8 to 9 inches accumulated in town and 15 inches at higher parts of the trail system. West has seen about three snowstorms this fall, according to Edgerton: “The first [in early November] was too warm and the ground wasn’t frozen. The second one, the ground was starting to get there and then it got really cold, minus 12 to 14 Fahrenheit.”

    About 6 inches accumulated from that second storm and temperatures remained cold, as low as -22 Fahrenheit, Edgerton said. In the last week, the town has received about 5 more inches for a 10-inch base.

    “This morning it was very close to zero and that’s about as warm as its been,” he explained. “One of the great things about this place, it gets cold at night and that’s what keeps the snow.”

    West has seen more snow in past years — with ski camps up on the Plateau in September — but that was a long time ago, according to Edgerton, who’s been grooming since the ’70s and keeping records since the ’80s. This year’s wetter and generally warmer temperatures are what’s different.

    “It’s definitely a little odd for here,” he said. “Historically we’re cold and dry.”

    But no one’s complaining. Every trail in the 35+ k system was groomed as of Tuesday, after Windy Ridge Loop opened on Monday. Edgarton drove his PistenBully up to open it earlier, but the locks to the trail’s gates were encased in ice. The Forest Service set out the next day on snowmobile and used a propane torch and shovel to melt the ice and free the gates.

    Having that 6.5 k loop open is a major plus, and not always a given.

    “Windy is dicy; the ground is not very smooth,” Edgerton said. Usually, he needs two feet of good snow to groom the ridge — or 15 to 16 inches of very high-density snow, like the last storm brought.

    “Getting Windy [open] during camp is like a 25-percent chance,” he added.

    If you’re a skier in West Yellowstone, consider yourself lucky.

     

  • The 34th Annual Rendezvous Race will be held on March 2, 2013

    Start off Your Spring Ski Racing with a Bang!

    There are just over two weeks until the cannon fires for the 34th annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race, on March 2, 2013.  Make plans now to participate in this historic race, and experience some of the best skiing the world has to offer in West Yellowstone, Montana.  Race organizers are already busy marking the course and making final preparations for the event. If you have been to West Yellowstone at any time this season, you’ll know that the Rendezvous Ski Trails are in outstanding shape!

    The Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is part of the American Ski Marathon Series and is a cornerstone of cross-country skiing in West Yellowstone.  Once again, this year the race is proud to have Yellowstone National Park Lodges as its corporate sponsor. There are six different race divisions offered for skiers of all ages.  Marathoners can enter the 50 kilometer freestyle race, which consists of two laps around the perimeter of the Rendezvous Ski Trail system.  Racers can enter the 25 kilometer classic or freestyle events, and the 10 kilometer race is a great choice for those preferring a shorter distance. The 5k and 2k races are geared for kids… bring the whole family!

    Camaraderie at the start line follows racers along the entire course.  To support racers in the 25 or 50k division, costumed volunteers staff feed stations along the trails and the theme this year is “Dr. Seuss”.  Look for the Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am or even the Lorax!  Bragging rights are on the line, as racers get to vote for their favorite feed station and the winners gloat for the rest of the year.

    For most, crossing the finish line is the goal… but the fastest skiers will be rewarded with medals and cash prizes at the awards ceremony on Saturday evening.  All racers are invited to treat themselves to the complimentary desert bar at the Holiday Inn after the race.

    The Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is a fun, festive event in a unique location.  As the name implies, West Yellowstone sits at the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park, which is open to over-snow vehicles until March 15, 2013.  Inside the park, local snow coach companies offer ski tours around Old Faithful, Firehole Drive, Gibbon Falls, and many other spectacular spots. Alternatively, a short drive will find many trailheads for those interested in a light backcountry tour of Yellowstone National Park or the Gallatin National Forest.

    Visitors are encouraged to extend their stay and truly enjoy a winter wonderland that is unlike any other place.  Whether it is skiing or sight-seeing, West Yellowstone is the home base for winter fun.  There is no other place in the world where you can spend one day racing or skiing on 35 kilometers of professionally groomed trails and the next day see bison grazing next to hot springs or bald eagles soaring past geysers.

    There is still time to sign up for the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race.

     

    For more information please visit www.rendezvousrace.com.

     

     

  • Fun Events on the Rendezvous Ski Trails

    All Skiers are Welcome in West Yellowstone

    The West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation (WYSEF) is excited to announce a variety of activities for the upcoming winter season.  Cross country skiers of all abilities and ages are welcome to participate in WYSEF’s races, recreational skis, and classes.  Join us on the weekends for…

    • Saturday January 5 at 11am.  The second SPAM Cup of the season will be held on the Rendezvous Ski Trails.  The SPAM Cup is a series of three citizen’s races held throughout the season, skiers of all ages and abilities are welcome.  This race will be freestyle technique with distances of 2k, 7.5k, and 15k to choose from.  THE START AND REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE BIATHLON RANGE.  Please arrive with enough time to ski out there before registration closes at 10:45am.  First place winners for each distance will receive a highly coveted SPAM trophy!
    • Saturday January 5.  Following the second SPAM Cup of the winter will be a chance for skiers to try their hand at biathlon.  Marc Sheppard of Altius Custom Firearms and his biathletes will be at the biathlon range to give instructions to any skiers interested in learning about this sport.  Firearms, ammunition and targets will be provided.  Bring yourself and your steady hand!
    • Saturday January 26.  WYSEF has coordinated with the USFS to offer a FREE ski day on the Rendezvous Ski Trails on Saturday, January 26.  Local Nordic shops, Freeheel & Wheel 406-646-7744 and Bud Lilly’s 406-646-7801, will offer free ski rentals this day also.  WYSEF Board Members and other local experts will offer complimentary ski lessons from 11-2pm.  Altius Handcrafted Firearms will also sponsor the Try It Biathlon Day.  Learn the basics of biathlon and then test yourself after skiing with an elevated heart rate.  Rifles and ammunition will be provided.  Meet at the Rendezvous Trailhead Building and learn how to ski and shoot! If you are interested in teaching beginners to intermediates, please contact Moira.  Last year, the FREE SKI DAY was an overwhelming success.  Join us and help us celebrate Winter Trails Day 2013!
    • Saturday February 9 at 10am.  The third and final SPAM Cup of the season will be held on the Rendezvous Ski Trails.  The SPAM Cup is a series of three citizen’s races held throughout the season, skiers of all ages and abilities are welcome.  Bring both your classic and freestyle skis as this race style, distances and course details are to be determined.  First place winners for each distance will receive a highly coveted SPAM trophy!
    • Saturday February 9 at 2pm.  The 3rd annual Taste of the Trails will be held following the season’s final SPAM Cup.  Enjoy a leisurely 5k ski to four different courses of food, ending with dessert at the trailhead building.  Please check the rendezvousskitrails.com for more information, including where to purchase tickets.
    • Saturday February 25 at 6:00pm.  Join WYSEF Board members for a moonlight ski.  Meet at the Rendezvous Trailhead Building at 6:00pm and see the trails in a whole new light.  A trail pass is required but there is no additional fee for this guided ski.
    • Saturday March 2.  The 34th annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race will be held in West Yellowstone, Montana.  Skiers from across the nation will be on the Rendezvous Ski Trails to compete in this marathon ski race.  Course distances range from 2k for the kids to 50k for those looking for a true long distance event.  All the details can be found online at www.rendezvousrace.com.  Register early for the best rate.
    • Sunday March 3.  The WYSEF Youth Ski Festival is a terrific way to wrap up your family’s Rendezvous Race weekend.  Skiers aged thirteen and younger are encouraged to have fun on skis.  Your child can participate in activities such as musical chairs, relay races, and the obstacle course.  This low key event is perfect for young skiers.  Families will walk away with a smile and some great photo ops!
    • March 23-24.  The Equinox Ski Challenge is a springtime celebration, a season finale, and also among the most challenging ski races in the world.  This event is ingrained with camaraderie, challenge, and commitment to the well-being of the local community.  Skiers of ALL abilities are welcome. The goal is to have a lot of fun and also complete as many laps as you can in the 6 Hour, 12 Hour or 24 Hour divisions.  Skiers can enter as a relay team of up to 8 members or as a soloist. For more information, please go to www.equinoxskichallenge.com.

     

    The Rendezvous Ski Trails are currently open and groomed regularly.  The grooming report and schedule of events can be found at www.rendezvousskitrails.com.  A United States Forest Service ski pass is required to ski on the Rendezvous Ski Trails.  You can pick one up at several locations around town including the Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center, Bud Lilly’s Trout Shop, Freeheel & Wheel, Yellowstone Alpen Guides and at the trailhead; day passes are $8.00 and season passes are $40.00.

     

    For more information or to volunteer at any of the above events, please contact WYSEF Director Moira Dow at info@rendezvousskitrails.com or 617-697-6126.  Happy trails!

  • The 33rd Annual Rendezvous Race Will Be Held on March 3, 2012

    The 33rd Annual Rendezvous Race Will Be Held on March 3, 2012

    Youth Ski Festival Sunday, March 4th

    Snow is falling in West Yellowstone, Montana, and skiers of all ages are invited to participate in the 33rd annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race on March 3, 2012.  Race organizers have been busy marking the course and making final preparations for the event. The skiing has been great all winter.
    Part of the American Ski Marathon Series, the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is a cornerstone of cross-country skiing in West Yellowstone.  Join hundreds of ski enthusiasts in this historic race.  This year the race is proud to once again have Yellowstone National Park Lodges as its corporate sponsor. There are six different race divisions offered for skiers of all ages. Marathoners can enter the 50 kilometer freestyle race, which consists of two laps around the perimeter of the Rendezvous Ski Trail system.  Racers can enter the 25 kilometer classic or freestyle events, and the 10 kilometer race is a great choice for those preferring a shorter distance. The 5k and 2k races are geared for kids.
    Register before February 27th to save on entry. Race registration deadline is Thursday March 1st at 12 noon. Please visitwww.rendezvousrace.com for more information, and find us on facebook for the latest updates on the race.
    On Sunday, March 4th, the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation will host their annual Youth Ski Festival where kids 13 and under can participate in a variety of ski games including relays, musical chairs and more! Bring the family and experience winter this year.  Day-of registration.  Please visit www.rendezvousskitrials.com for more information.

  • Equinox Snow Challenge: Calling All Super Heroes and Soccer Moms

    The Equinox Ski Challenge

    March 24-25, 2012, Rendezvous Ski Trails, West Yellowstone, MT

    Be a super hero for a good cause—you can even dress the part—while having a universe of fun at the Equinox Snow Challenge.  The race takes place at the world-class Rendezvous Ski area in West Yellowstone, MT.  This annual event gives Nordic skiers and their families a chance to raise money for Big Brothers and Sisters, and the West Yellowstone Ski Education Fund.  Costumes are optional but many racers and their children get decked out in everything from the demure to the outrageous.

    No matter how you dress, or whether or not you finish first or last, everyone who participates makes life a little better for others.  In short, they are all heroes.  Not a bad way to have fun.

    Enter solo or gather a relay team to complete as many laps as you can in the 3, 6, 12 or 24 hour divisions.  A 24-minute kid’s challenge starts Sunday at 2pm.

    Enjoy friends and family over a potluck dinner and a bonfire under the stars.  While you’re here, explore the rich culture, history, wildlife and culinary surprises that make Yellowstone Country so unique.

    Donations for the West Yellowstone Food Bank are also encouraged.

    ###

    For more information contact Sam Newbury, (406) 209-3533, or Kaley Bjornsen, (253)-569-0883 or go to www.equinoxskichallenge.com.

  • Go for the Gold at the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race

    Go for the Gold at the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race

    All eyes will be on Vancouver for the next month. We will follow every win, loss, crash, highlight, side story, back story and more. Skiers, skaters, sliders, and couch potatoes will be glued to the TV, radio, internet, and twitter. Last night’s record breakers, ice princesses, and dramatic winners will be the talk of the day. By the end of February, as the closing ceremonies wrap up the Olympics, we will be left yearning for the roar of the crowds and gold medals.

    Go for the Gold at the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race
    Go for the Gold at the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race

    You will find it all in West Yellowstone on March 6th, 2010. Ride the Olympic high all the way to the Rendezvous Ski Trails for the 31st annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race. The boom of a cannon, the clatter from the crowd, and the festive volunteers will send you off on this legendary marathon race. Trade strides with skiers from across the globe and take in the awe-inspiring views from the track. As a sanctioned event in the American Ski Marathon Series, racers will enjoy a competitive course designed for skiers of all ages and abilities.

    Cross the finish line and relax- you made it! Whether you came in first, last, or somewhere in between, you do not want to miss the awards ceremony held on Saturday evening. Over 100 gold, silver, and bronze medals are presented and the real treat is not the dessert bar, but the swift and satisfying ceremony.

    Go for the Gold at the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race
    All smiles

    West Yellowstone offers the unique chance to hold your race weekend in a true Winter Wonderland. We are snuggled between America’s first national park and acres of national forest land. The outdoor enthusiast will find snow heaven here! Ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, or enjoy a snowcoach tour of Yellowstone. Explore the hundreds of miles of trails around. Or simply spend time with the family on the free ice-skating rink or local sledding hill.

    Go for the Gold at the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race
    The starters

    You might have missed your chance for the Birkie, but registration for the 2010 Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is still open! Sign up now, early birds receive a discount. Registration closes at noon on March 4th with no exceptions.

    Chamber feed station
    The Chamber feed station

    We are looking forward to seeing you at the 31st annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race this March 6th. Register now and hit the trails. It is going to be a great time in West Yellowstone, Montana!

    Go for the Gold at the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race
    Feeds for all…

    All the details on the race, including registration options, can be found at www.rendezvousrace.com. For lodging and activity information, please go to www.yellowstonedestination.com or www.westyellowstonechamber.com.

    Approaching South Plateau
    The skiing is the best part
  • Save $ and Register Early for the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race

    Save $ and Register Early for the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race

    Sign up by Sunday and save $5

    The cross-country skiing has been great in West Yellowstone and we are looking forward to the second half of our season.  The highlight is always the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race.  There is still plenty of time to register and train for this marathon event held on March 6, 2010 at the Rendezvous Ski Trails.

    Challenge yourself against the clock and hundreds of other Nordic enthusiasts on the fifty and twenty-five kilometer course.  The course will take you from the In&Out to a short stint on Volunteer, then it’s out the Rendezvous Loop, onto Dead Dog, a long stretch on Windy Ridge, back on a portion of the Rendezvous Trail, hop onto Deja View, and return to town via the South Plateau trail.  If you are skiing the 50k, head under the archway and do it again! Younger or novice skiers can participate in the ten, five, or two kilometer events.  You will ski a variety of terrain and enjoy the camaraderie of finishing a long-distance race.

    Extend your stay a few days and make this a true ski vacation. There are plenty of outdoor adventures waiting for you in and around West Yellowstone, Montana.  Yellowstone National Park is open to over-snow traffic until March 15th.  You can enjoy a snowcoach tour, a snowmobile ride, or a backcountry ski in our nation’s first national park. Ice skate on the local, outdoor rink (rentals available).  Bring the kids early and remember the good ole days with a free Sleddin’ & Smores party scheduled for March 4.  Or stay another day and cheer on the youngsters at the Youth Ski Festival.  Watch your little one participate in musical chairs, a relay race, and obstacle course with slippery skis on their feet.  Both the National Park Service and the Forest Service offer free guided snowshoe walks throughout the week.  Don’t forget about the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, these bears do not hibernate, or the large screen IMAX theatre, with multiple shows each day.

    Find your favorite tracks under the Big Sky on the Rendezvous Ski Trails. Photo: Doug Edgerton
    Find your favorite tracks under the Big Sky on the Rendezvous Ski Trails. Photo: Doug Edgerton

    We are looking forward to seeing you at the 31st annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race this March 6th.  Sign up now and hit the trails.  It is going to be a great time in West Yellowstone, Montana!

    All the details on the race, including registration options, can be found at www.rendezvousrace.com.  For lodging and activity information, please go to www.yellowstonedestination.com or www.westyellowstonechamber.com.