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MUCH IS NEW ON THE GUNFLINT NORDIC SKI TRAILS Resort and lodge operators along the Gunflint Nordic Ski Trails near Grand Marais, Minnesota, continue to improve and upgrade their trails and the facilities that support the trails. In the Upper Gunflint Ski Area, winter lodge guests will find several changes. The Gunflint Pines Resort will join Gunflint, Bearskin and Golden Eagle lodges in offering a lighted night ski trail. Gunflint Pines' lighted trail will run through their campgrounds. Gunflint Lodge plans to open a new bistro and reopen five renovated cabins. One of the log cabins at Heston's Lodge is also being restored and will be open for the winter. Along the Banadad Ski Trail System, Boundary Country Trekking is planning several changes to greet skiers this winter. First, a new 1.6K tracked trail to the Tall Pines Yurt has been built. Near the Banadad's eastern trailhead, the Swamp Lake Snowshoe Trail has been expanded with a 0.5K connecting trail. By the end of January, Boundary Country will be rending out a new luxurious ski-in two-bedroom cabin. Near the Central Gunflint Trail System, Clearwater Lodge co-owner Lynn Pauloski plans to open two B&B suites this winter in the historic lodge building and a modern two-bedroom cabin. The 180K Gunflint Nordic Ski Trails consist of three interconnected trails systems. Beginning 24 miles north of Grand Marais is the Central Gunflint Trails operated by the Golden Eagle and Bearskin lodges. Farther up the Gunflint Trail around Gunflint Lake is the Upper Gunflint Trail System operated by Gunflint, Gunflint Pines Heston's and Moosehorn lodges. Connecting these two trail systems is the longest tracked trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area – the Banadad, operated by Boundary Country Trekking. For more info on the Gunflint Nordic Trails, including maps, go to the Gunflint Trail Association's cross-country skiing website at www.gunflint-trail.com/winter/xcski.html or call 218/387-3191 or 800/338-6932. The Sugarbush Trail Association has added a 6K connector cross-country ski trail and a 5K skijoring trail to its trail system near Tofte, Minnesota. The 65K of Sugarbush Trails is accessed by three trailheads in Moose Fence, Britton Peak and at Oberg Mountain. Grooming will continue this year on the 4K Summit View skijoring trail, which is accessible from the Britton Peak trailhead, three miles north of the Sawbill Trail from Tofte. The new 5K skijoring trail can be approached from the Moose Fence trailhead, 6.5 miles north of the Sawbill Trail from Tofte. This beautiful, rolling trail encompasses the Upland Loop and a portion of the Maple Loop. The new skijoring section will have a one-year trial period. After three years of overgrowth and nonuse, the connector trail from the Sugarbush Trail system to the Lutsen Trail system has been opened again. This 6K connector will allows skiers to ski all of the Sugarbush system, and then proceed to the Lutsen/Tofte Nordic Center at the Superior National Golf Course. From the Nordic center, skiers can also ski an additional 20K on the Cascade Trails near Lutsen. Cross-country ski rentals are available at the Lutsen/Tofte Nordic center. More information is available on the Sugarbush website, www.sugarbushtrail.org. In early December, Elm Creek Reserve cross-country skiers started enjoying in a new chalet. Operated in Maple Grove, Minnesota, the 10,774-square-foot chalet has a traditional ski theme, can accommodate 200 people and offers full food service. The chalet will be the first of several buildings to support skiing and tubing operations at Elm Creek Reserve. The structure doubles as a trailhead building and as a reservations hall in the summer months. From County Road 81, turn north at Elm Creek Boulevard and follow the roundabout to the park entrance. Three Rivers Park District is a natural resources-based park system that manages park reserves, regional parks, regional trails and special-use facilities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Park District offers facilities for every season, including extensive trails for hiking, biking, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Three Rivers Park District's mission is to promote environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system. The Park District owns and operates over 27,000 acres and serves more than 5 million visitors a year. MINNESOTA PARKS HOST CANDLELIGHT EVENTS The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting 26 candlelight or moonlight ski, snowshoe or hiking events in Minnesota state parks this winter. Illuminated trails are easy to moderate in skill level and most are one to two miles in length. Luminaries are placed at intervals to guide participants along the trail. Most parks have warming shelters where friends of the park provide hot drinks and snacks. Glendalough, Father Hennepin, Wild River and Mille Lacs Kathio state parks have cross-country skies available for rent. Snowshoes also are available for rent at many parks. The Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required for everyone 16 years or older ($5/day or $15/season). Vehicle permits and daily ski passes can be purchased at the park office. Most events start at 6 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. If there is a lack of snow, the scheduled ski or snowshoe event often becomes a hike along the candlelit trail. In case of extreme cold weather, some events may be canceled. For the most current information regarding the event, contact the park. Event information is listed on the DNR website at www.mnstateparks.info. Fri., Dec. 29 – Lake Bemidji State Park, Bemidji. Candlelight ski, 6-9 p.m. Sun., Dec. 31 – Fort Snelling State Park, Twin Cities, New Year's Eve candlelight walk, 3-9 p.m. Sat., Jan. 20 – Charles Lindbergh State Park, Little Falls. Candlelight ski, 6-9 p.m. Sat., Jan. 27 – Buffalo River State Park, Glyndon. Candlelight ski and snowshoe, 6-9 p.m. Sat., Jan. 27 – Frontenac State Park, Frontenac. Candlelight ski and moonlight snowshoe 3-8 p.m. - Sat., Jan. 27 – Glendalough State Park, Battle Lake. Candlelight ski, 6-9 p.m. Sat., Jan. 27 – Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, Onamia. Candlelight ski, 6-10 p.m. Sat. Jan. 27 – Wild River State Park Center City, Twin Cities Metro Area. Candlelight ski and snowshoe, 6-9 p.m. Sat. Jan. 27 – Lake Shetek State Park, Currie. Candlelight ski or hike, 6-8 p.m. Thur., Feb. 1 – Sibley State Park, New London. Moonlit snowshoe hike, 7-8:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 2 – Whitewater State Park, Altura. Moonlight snowshoeing, 7-9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 3 – Fort Snelling State Park, Twin Cities. Candlelight ski and walk, 6-9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 3 – Buffalo River State Park, Glyndon. Candlelight ski and snowshoe, 6-9 p.m. - Sat., Feb. 3 – Father Hennepin State Park, Isle. Candlelight ski, 5:30-10 p.m. Sat., Feb. 3 – Hayes Lake State Park, Roseau. Moonlight ski, 6-8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 3 – Lake Maria State Park, Monticello. Candlelight ski, 6-9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 3 - William O'Brien State Park, Stillwater. Candlelight ski, 6-9 p.m. Fri., Feb. 9 – Jay Cooke State Park, Carlton. Candlelight ski and snowshoe, 6-9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 10 – Sand Dunes State Forest, Zimmerman. Candlelight ski, 6-9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 10 – Rice Lake State Park, Owatonna. Candlelight ski and hike - 6- 9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 17 – Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors. Candlelight ski, snowshoe and walk, 6-8:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 24 – Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids. Candlelight ski, 5-9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 24 – Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Two Harbors. Candlelight snowshoe and hike, 6-8:30 p.m. Thurs., March 1 – Sibley State Park, New London. Moonlit snowshoe hike, 7-8:30 p.m. Fri., March 2 – Whitewater State Park, Altura. Moonlight snowshoeing, 7-9 p.m. Sat. , March 3 – Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, Onamia. Moonlight snowshoeing, 8 p.m. Minnesota state parks are open daily. Park office hours vary. Due to limited winter staffing, the DNR suggests visitors call ahead for hours and services available. Visit the DNR website, www.dnr.state.mn.us, or call the DNR Information Center at 651/296-6157 in the Twin Cities metro area or toll free 888/MINNDNR to request a copy of the Minnesota State Parks Guide. QUADRATHLON UNIQUE BADGER STATE WINTER GAMES EVENT As winter sets in, we dig out our windproof cold weather running clothes, wax the skis and dust off snowshoes. But while we ready ourselves for these outdoor activities, we ought to think twice before putting away that mountain or cyclocross bike. That's because there's a fun and unique multisport event coming up in which those wheels are needed. The event is the American Family Insurance Badger State Games Quad-rathlon. The quadrathlon has participants running 5K, mountain biking 5K, snowshoeing 5K and then Nordic skiing 5K. You can enter as an individual, competing in all four consecutive legs, or form a team of two or a relay of four people. "There are few events similar to this one, it's quite unique," said Jason Diaz, director of operations for the games. "There aren't many events anywhere in the state or Midwest that will challenge you quite like the quadrathlon. The great thing about the quad is that it caters to both the hard-core competitors and the recreational athletes." Aaron Walczak of Woodville, Wisconsin – a gold medal winner at last year's quadrathlon – is looking forward to the February event. "The Badger State Games is great because it lets me race against other competitors from around the state and not just locals like in fun runs," Walczak said. "I can't wait for the snow this year!" The quadrathlon will be held February 4 on the hilly terrain in and around Sylvan Hill in Wausau, Wisconsin. "If you're an outdoor enthusiast, there is no better place to be than Wisconsin and there is no better event that symbolizes all the winter recreational opportunities than the quadrathlon," Diaz said. "It is a true Wisconsin-type event." Non-Wisconsin residents are welcome to compete as long as their home state does not have a quadrathlon in their state games. They are not, however, eligible to receive medals. For more information and to register, go to www.sportsinwisconsin.com. REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR BADGER STATE WINTER GAMES Registration for the 2007 American Family Insurance Badger State Games, the nation's largest winter sports festival, is now open. The Badger State Winter Games will take place the last weekend in January and the first weekend in February. Among the many competitive events, the freestyle and classic skiing, snowshoeing, speed skating and quadrathlon races will occur February 2-4 in north-central Wisconsin. A new streamlined online registration system is in place. Go to www.badger stategames.org to register or call 608/226-4780 for more information. Major sponsors of the Games include Charter Communications, the Ho Chunk Nation, Time Warner Cable, Wausau Insurance, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Ministry Health Care with special thanks to www.TravelWisconsin.com. WSDC owns the Games, Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, Wisconsin Sports Foundation, Paddle & Portage, Shape Up Wisconsin Kids, Lighten Up Wisconsin and Fit Kids Challenge. WSDC is also the local host for Ironman Wisconsin. NORTH AMERICAN VASA IN TRAVERSE CITY CATERS TO ALL SKIERS Bryce Dreeszen has skied in some of the top cross-country races in the United States and Europe, but he considers himself an "everyman" skier rather than an elite competitor. And as the new race director of the North American Vasa Festival of Races in Traverse City, Michigan, he insists that every skier deserves to have a world-class skiing experience at the Vasa, whether that skier is a potential Olympic contender, an eager novice, or just someone who wants to enjoy some magnificent woodland scenery and a little race-day excitement on one of the best-groomed trails in the Midwest. "We've been working to correct the impression that the Vasa is only for the hard-core competitive skier," Dreeszen said. "The truth is, we have something for everyone. We expect to have 800 skiers this year, and probably 10 percent or less of them will be elite skiers. The bulk of the people out there will be competing against the clock, against their buddies or against themselves, and some won't be competing at all." This year's event is scheduled for February 9-11. The main Saturday race, which features 12K, 27K and 50K loops in either freestyle or classic styles, is one of 14 U.S. events in the prestigious American Ski Marathon Series in which most of the nation's elite and professional ski racers compete. Sunday's 16K race – the Gran Travers Classic, which starts at 9 a.m. and features 6K and 16K loops on a tracked trail – is an equally prestigious event for old-school Nordic skiers, and one of the events in the Michigan Cup classic race series. Over the past decade, race organizers have added a wide range of other events for skiers of all shapes, ages and skill levels: 1K sprints for preschoolers, 3K freestyle and classic events for older youths, and even noncompetitive 3K and 10K tours for those who prefer to enjoy winter's natural beauty at a more leisurely pace. And there's a lot of beauty to appreciate. The Vasa is held on a beautifully crafted trail that winds through the dense pines and hardwoods of Michigan's Pere Marquette State Forest, just east of Traverse City. Since 2005, the start and finish lines for the various events have been at the Timber Ridge RV and Recreation Resort, whose trails connect to the main Vasa system. The festival actually begins the day before the main race with a day-long series of free on-snow equipment demonstrations where participants can try the newest ski and snowshoe gear. That evening, there's the annual Vasa Pasta dinner, an all-you-can-eat event where contestants try to pack away as many carbohydrates as possible. The Vasa may be Traverse City's best-known winter event, but it is by no means the only one. On February 3, for instance, yet another major Nordic ski race is held a few miles to the north in the quaint village of Mancelona, near the Shanty Creek Resort and Club. Known as the White Pine Stampede, it, too, is celebrating its 31st anniversary in 2007 with a series of 10K, 20K and 50K races. That same evening, snowshoe hikers can participate in the 12th annual Snowshoe Romp, a guided candle-lighted walk through the woods above the evocative 19th-century buildings of the Grand Traverse Commons. For information about the North American Vasa, the White Pine Stampede, the Snowshoe Romp and other winter events, festivals and activities in beautiful Traverse City, call the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800/TRAVERSE or visit www.mytraversecity.com. NORTHERN MICHIGAN SNOW HOTLINE Since snow conditions in northern Michigan change rapidly, the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau has activated its winter "snow hotline." By calling 800/727-5482, visitors can receive updated reports on snowfall amounts and current weather conditions in the area, as well as detailed information about downhill ski/snowboard runs, cross-country ski and snowmobile trails, skating rinks and other sports venues. WOODEN SKI EVENTS KEEP SPORT'S HERITAGE ALIVE Vintage, wooden skis are becoming popular again with many events scheduled this winter to celebrate and preserve the heritage of cross-country skiing. One of the original events organized to celebrate cross-country skiing heritage in Minnesota was the Wooden Ski Rendez-vous held at Snowflake Nordic Center in Duluth, Minnesota, in 2001. The Rendezvous attracted two-dozen men and women dressed in vintage ski wear, sporting wooden skis for the 5K tour and race. George Hovland, a participant in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway, as well as Duluth resident and ski coach Dave Johnson organized the Rendezvous. The annual event will be held again at Snowflake Nordic on Saturday, March 17, 2007. Last winter a number of wooden ski enthusiasts participated in the 22K Seeley Hills Classic ski race in Seeley, Wisconsin. This winter, the Seeley Hills organizers have created a special Wooden Ski class for the 22K race held on the American Birkebeiner Trail near the "00" trail intersection. The Seeley Hills Classic cross-country ski race will be held Saturday, January 13. The return to wooden skis isn't a trend only the upper Midwest. In commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the Birkebeiner legend, organizers of the Canadian Birkebeiner will be challenging skiers to ski the 55K Torskeklubben Birkebeiner on wooden skis. The Birkebeiner will be held on the rolling hills of the Blackfoot Recreation area near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on February 7. Also, the Wooden Ski Classic in Anchorage, Alaska, on November 19, required participants to don wooden skis, with 3-pin bindings, bamboo poles and non-Lycra clothing. Wooden skis have been used for thousands of years and were first used for utilitarian purposes. In the late 1800s, ski competition started in Scandinavia, and Norwegian emigrants brought their sport to North America at that same time. Martin Strand opened the first large United States commercial ski factory in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1879. The success of the Strand Ski Company established St. Paul as the center for American ski manufacturing, a reputation that was enhanced by the arrival of the Northland Ski Company in 1910 and the Gregg Ski Manufacturing Company. Cross-country skiing in the United States surged in popularity in the late 1960s to 1970s as skinny, wooden skis become ubiquitous for recreational skiers. In the 1980s, fiberglass skis started being produced signaling the end of the wooden ski era. More information on wooden skis can be found at www.woodenskis.com. CRONOMETRO BIKE SWAP IN MADISON, JAN. 13 The 16th annual Cronometro Bike Swap will be held Saturday, January 13, in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Alliant Energy Center located at the John Nolen Drive exit off Beltline U.S. Highway 12/18. The swap will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting the Brazen Dropouts Bicycle Racing Club. Everyone coming to Madison for the Capitol Square Sprints ski races will want to catch this event, too. The swap is a chance for bicyclists and skiers to find deals on bikes, components, clothing and accessories. All attendees who sign up will be eligible to win a $250 gift certificate to the Cronometro Bike Shop on Williamson Street in Madison. Whether you are a casual commuter looking for a bargain on fenders, a cash strapped student, a parent looking to save a buck or a bicycle tech weenie, the Swap is a must-attend event that has become a Midwestern mid-winter cycling tradition. Racing, mountain, cyclocross, touring, triathlon and collectible stuff is bought, sold and swapped in this friendly frenzy of biking deals, steals and fun. The cost is a $5 donation at the door to shop and/or a $45 donation to display and sell. Sellers get an 8-foot-long table to display their wares and bikes. Applications for sellers are available only at www.brazendropouts.org. Automobile parking is $4.50. Bike and ski parking is free. MADISON TO HOST 100K NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN APRIL The 2007 national championship 100-kilometer run will be held in Madison, Wisconsin. USA Track and Field made the announcement at its annual convention last month. The new race – the Mad City 100K – is set for Saturday, April 7, 2007. "There's no better town in America for this national championship road race," race director Tim Yanacheck said. "We have a great running route, a wealth of sports fans, and a convenient location." The certified route will be ten laps of a popular 10K loop for the required 62-mile distance. "The runners will go through the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, along the shore of Lake Wingra, and through picturesque neighborhoods," Yanacheck said. Although designated the national championship race, the Mad City 100K will be open to runners of all abilities. Elite ultramarathoners from around the country will try to meet qualifying standards for the USA team headed to the 100-kilometer World Cup race in The Netherlands in September. The standard for men is 7 hours, 20 minutes, and for women, 8 hours, 40 minutes. They will also compete for nearly $10,000 in prize money offered by the Mad City 100K. Only USATF members will be eligible for cash prizes. The race will start at 6:30 a.m. and have a time limit of 14 hours. In addition to the runners who will run the entire 100-kilometer distance solo, the Mad City 100K will have a relay event. "Relay teams can have up to 10 runners each," Yanacheck said. "With the increasing popularity of long-distance relay races around the country, this will be an early-season opportunity for teams to come together and enjoy a first-class event." More details, including a race entry form and USATF membership information, will be available on the race website www.madcity100k.com. Inquiries can be mailed to Mad City 100K, c/o Tim Yanacheck, 2536 Chamberlain Ave., Madison, WI 53705. MINNESOTANS TAKE THE MILLION MILE CHALLENGE The Million Mile Challenge is a fun and exciting way to address the problems of obesity, sky-rocketing health costs and lack of physical activity. By having folks log their walking, running or biking miles, they can see where they rank in the world and get motivated by some friendly competition. Participants can log their miles on www.millionmilechallenge.com and see their rankings. The Million Mile Challenge is now a means to implement fitness programs in schools, home school co-ops, clubs and private companies. The program started in Anoka County, Minnesota. Through two triathlons and two 5K runs, people were made aware of the program and how to log their mileage via the website. On September 12 at Bunker Hills Park in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, organizers led groups of walkers, runners and bikers on the hour throughout the day and shared adventure stories and a website presentation on the half hour. The event drew well over 200 people. Back in Anoka County, various groups have begun fitness programs. A home school co-op, for example, started walking and hiking with children logging their miles each day. Prizes will go to the children who meet their goals. The website also provides local event information, trail maps, listings of group outings, discussion forums, chat rooms and more. By the end of the 2006, Million Mile Challenge organizers hoped to have every city in Anoka County participating and rank against one another as they collectively shoot for logging 1 million miles. The next phase will include a "nutrition tracker" on the website to help people pay closer attention to how they eat day to day. By encouraging exercise and healthy eating, participants will feel better and want to know how to maintain such a lifestyle. For more information, e-mail dean@fitnessrace.com or call 763/350-2570.
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