Feb 1 & Feb 5

Hello Skiers-

We had a great ski at Elk Heights Wednesday, and a day at the Jente Loppet Sunday.  Audrey and Isak were 5k champions, with Gavin finishing 3rd.  Gwynnie, Avega, Julia and Ben skied really well in the 2.5k.  They weren't done, as they all skied in the afternoon along Lake Keechelus.   Audrey, Isak, Bryton and Ben made the traverse to Crystal Springs.

This Week:

Tuesday Optional Ski CLASSIC at Manastash.

Wednesday Elk Heights CLASSIC. (Keep alert in case of grooming changes) Meet EHS 3:20, Ski 3:50-5:10, Return to EHS 5:40.  Please Deliver race skis to me this day or Thursday.

Thursday: Optional ski Manastash.  SKATE.

Friday-Sunday: Methow Trip.  Races Saturday and Sunday at Liberty Bell high school.  No race day registration, so sign up online if you want to participate by Thursday.

Sunday:  Scott and Melanie will be doing a SKATE session at Cabin Creek 10AM-noon for those not going to the Methow.  If you are planning to attend PLEASE EMAIL ME SO I CAN TELL THEM HOW MANY TO EXPECT.  Thanks for putting this on Scott and Melanie!

Jan 25 & Jan 29

Well, it is warmer, but the kids will tell you it just makes better snowballs!  The older kids stayed home from California due to a huge storm, and skiing here was pretty good!  The schedule for this week:

Wednesday: SKATING @ Elk Heights (Keep alert in case of grooming changes).  Leave EHS 3:20, Ski 3:50-5:10, Return to EHS 5:40.

Sunday:

We found out late that the Jente Loppet is Sunday.  Many Ellensburg skiers participated in this event last year.  It is a low key and fun race for women, but is open to youth males as well.  Here is the link, including a registration link- signing up online saves $10.  There are lots of pictures of Ellensburg folks on the site- see how many you can find!

The race is freestyle, which means skating or classic.  Most people would skate, but if you think you would be faster classic you can do this too.

The directions on that site are written from the perspective of a Seattle person- don't follow them!  Take exit 54, turn left, go under freeway, turn left at stop sign.  Follow road to snopark in 1/2 mile.

The race starts at 10AM.  I thought it would be great to combine the race with a ski along the lake.  Please come for any part of the day or all:

7:50 Meet at Fruit barn to carpool

9AM Arrive Hyak, registration details, etc.
10AM Race (or just ski)
11AM ish awards
11:30 lunch, snack
12:00 Ski again from Hyak, some skiers might want to make the 8 mile (all flat) ski along the lake to Crystal Springs

2:00 Return to Hyak, drive back to Ellensburg, picking up skiers at Crystal Springs on the way

3:00 Return to Fruit Barn

We hope you will all be able to join, whether you plan to race or not.  Hyak has great terrain for beginners (very flat), and is scenic.

Optional practices:

Tuesday & Thursday after school, skiing at Manastash, Mineral Springs, Taneum or Elk Heights, depending on grooming.  Meet at 3:15 front of EHS if interested, return at 6.

Methow Weekend Feb 4-5.  Race Information Here.  The price goes up Friday night, so register early if you are going.  If additional athletes want to go to Methow, email Jeff.

Jan 18 & 22

Hello Skiers-

What a great week of winter.  We had great skiing at the golf course and then great races at the Gunnar Hagen Youth Race Today.  Below are all the Ellensburg participants, except Kenny (who had an AMAZING ski).  Result are here.

Unfortunately, we have some warmer temps in the forecast... So we will be playing things a bit by ear for Wednesday.  To add to the uncertainty, the groomer told me today that he has one machine down.  I'll update things Wednesday during the day when I know more.

Wednesday PRACTICE CANCELLED DUE TO TREACHEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS: Elk Heights SKATING.  (The location may change, but the times will be fairly close- but throw classic skis in the car just in case.) Meet EHS 3:20, Ski 3:50-5:10, Return to EHS 5:40.

Sunday: Cabin Creek 10AM-noon SKATING.  Let's try to organize carpools for Sunday- meet at Thorp at 9:00?

Tuesday (optional- all ages welcome): We may do a Lincoln after school ski, followed by a bit of agility and technique work at Lincoln SKATING.  We will finish about 4:45.

Thursday-Sunday: Isak, Magnus and Uhuru will be heading to California for a big time race called the "Supertour."  The Supertour is the top race series in the United States, so many national team and Olympians will be there (but they won't be racing the same category.) Wish them luck!

Jan 11 & Jan 16

Wednesday Manastash SnoPark CLASSIC.  Carpool from EHS- meet at 3:15, depart 3:20, Ski 3:50-5:00, Return to EHS 5:30.  It was great up there today!  Dress for cold.

Monday MLK Washington Cup #2 Youth Race- Cabin Creek.  Arrive 10:00 to register and prepare.  Races start at 11:00.  No charge- please bring signed waiver if parent is not coming.  We will have awards after all races finish at 12:30.  These races are meant to be low key, and to encourage skiers of all levels to participate.  Families welcome.  Carey and Jeff are directing this one, so should be a busy day for us.

If you don't want to race, please come up and ski.

OPTIONAL Additional Activities:

Tuesday: Skating after school

Thursday: 3-4PM- help with Lincoln Elementary skiing, 4PM depart for Skating at Elk Heights.

Sunday: Gunnar Hagen 7.5k.  10AM.  This is a mostly adult focused race, but skiers 14 and older can race the 7.5k.  Information here.  This one costs $15.

What a wonderful winter!

Jan 4 & 8

Hello Skiers!

Winter is here!  We are officially starting this week, with "Rec" Skiing Wednesday & Sunday and our racers heading to Bend this weekend.  The groomer is getting Elk Heights ready for us this week, so we are going to head there Wednesday.

Wednesday: CLASSIC*Manastash SnoPark (Updated 1/4, 9AM).  Meet at EHS 3:15 to carpool, will return to EHS 5:30.  Or families can provide their own transportation.  *Directions: Drive Manastash road until the end (about 7 miles from Cove.)  Park on the South side of the road in the designated Snopark area.

For those attending EHS, you can leave skis and clothes in my prep room during the day.  Bring them by before school, or if you are feeling ambitious, throw skis into my roof rack (just make sure you've got the right car..) Ask Uhuru, Audrey, or Isak for help.  I recommend leaving ski clothes and boots inside, so they are warm when you put them on.  We will try to roll out of EHS at 3:20, so we can ski from 3:50-5:00, and return to town at 5:30.

Manastash was BEAUTIFUL this afternoon!

Sunday: CLASSIC* Cabin Creek 10AM-noon.  Possible meet at Thorp (South side of interchange 9AM for carpool).  *Directions: Drive I-90 to Exit 63, park on South side, walk back to north side of freeway to ski area.

OPTIONAL SKI FOR OLDER GROUP: TUESDAY Manastash SKATING Depart EHS 3:20, return 5:30.  Bring headlamp and RSVP.

BEND JNQ: Be sure to register at MBSEF site.  More info about the races here.  We will depart Friday from EHS- possibly in time for a short ski Friday afternoon.

Washington Cup Series: Jeff and Carey have been involved in planning the Washington Cup series of races in collaboration with other teams in the state.    These are "low key" races that are open to anyone.  Check out the site for more information.

NOTE FOR FIRST TIMERS:  Classic skis are the ones with the pattern on the base.

Finally, bundle up- it will be cold this week!