Feb 26-Mar 4

Hello Skiers-

What a great week of skiing!  Congratulations to the racers who participated in the Washington Cup Race at Tall Timber.   Uhuru, Isak, Garrett, Wyatt, Liam, Carol, Ethan, Oisin, and Marie Sabine had great races and a lot of fun!  

We have t-shirts available this week.  I will have them at all practices.  $15 for Shirts.  We have sizes from youth to adult, so parents can get them too!

We are in our final week this week.  But it will be full of action.

Tuesday: Middle/High School: Long Ski Mineral Springs or Blewett depending on grooming.  Skiers choice of skating or classic.  Bring headlamps.  Meet EHS 3:15, Return 7PM.

Wednesday: Elementary (although all ages are welcome). Cabin Creek Ski and Pizza.  Meet Super 1 3:20, Return 7:15.  SKATING

Thursday: Middle High School Blewett Skating. EHS 3:15 Return 6PM.

Saturday: Washington Cup Finals SKATING.  We are the hosts of this race, so it would be great if everyone could participate.  There is no charge for entry.  Races are 1k, 3k, and 5k SKATING, starting at 10AM.  I have a bunch of prizes that I would love Ellensburg kids to win.  Also, since those who have done 3 or more Washington Cup races are eligible for season awards.  Registration at https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=128430

Sunday: Ozbaldy 10km SKATING.  For the older kids who want to race 10k, register at kongsbergers.org.

Feb 19-25

What a wonderful week of skiing!  It was great working with so many of you parents today!  Big improvements were made by all. Great job!  This is our penultimate week and winter weather is back.  There is a fun event in Plain Saturday that all should consider.

Monday: No activity.  Happy President’s Day

Tuesday: Middle & High School Classic 3:15 EHS Return 6PM Likely Blewett depending on grooming.

Wednesday: Elementary Ski and Pizza Classic.  Super 1 3:20, return 7PM

Thursday: Middle & High School Skating 3:15 EHS Return 6PM Likely Blewett.

Saturday: Washington Nordic Cup Skating #4 in Tall Timber (near Plain).  This is a great event that is welcoming to all skiers, and is free to enter.  It is a great place for a first race.  Registration here.  7:30 Meet EHS to carpool.  Races at 11, 11:30, and noon.  Return around 4PM.  More information on Washington Nordic Cup here.

Sunday: Our last Sunday at Cabin Creek.  Skating.  We will do a kilometer challenge!  Try to ski your farthest distance!  9AM meet EHS or 10AM at Cabin Creek.  Ski as far as you can!

Looking ahead: March 3rd Washington Nordic Cup #5 at Cabin Creek.  March 4th 10k for Juniors as part of Ozbaldy 50k.

Feb 12-18th

Audrey, Linnea, Cassandra, Uhuru & Isak
at the Race of the Methow

Feb 12-18

Congratulations to Uhuru and Isak for qualifying for Junior Nationals. Uhuru and Isak will represent the Pacific Northwest Ski Association at 4 races in Soldier Hollow, Utah in March.  This will be Uhuru’s fourth trip to “JNs” and Isak’s first. They qualified based on their best 5 of 8 qualifying races.  The final 2 races were in the Methow this weekend.

This week we are going to try something different for the elementary: Wednesday only at Cabin Creek. We will drive up from Super 1, ski, eat some pizza, and then bring kids back at 7PM.

Monday: No activity

Tues 3:15 Middle & High School Group Blewett CLASSIC Return to EHS 6:00

Wed Elementary Skating at Cabin Creek Meet at Super 1 at 3:20 Return at 7 (full of pizza)

Thurs 3:15 EHS Middle & High School Group Mineral Springs or Blewett SKATING Return to EHS 5:45PM

Sunday: Cabin Creek Skating 10AM-1PM- we will do a longer session on Sunday.  Meet EHS 9AM return 2PM

Jessica and Heather had a suggestions for a fundraiser- a lesson for adults.  If there is interest we could do that Sunday after the kids.  If you are interested, send me an email.

Looking ahead.  Feb 24th Washington Nordic Cup 4 in Plain.  The race may be farther up the valley- it depends on snow.

Feb 5-11

Isak winning the 5k Stampede

We had a great week of skiing this week, and Gwynnie (2k), Gavin (15k), Garrett (5k), Avega (2k), Ethan (1k), Isak (5k) and Audrey (5k) represented us well in the Stampede races today.  Congratulations to all!

We have some seriously warm weather in the forecast, so plans might change based on snow.  Check your email and/or remind.  

Plan A is the same as last week.  One note: since we are going to Manastash each day, it is ok for Middle & High Schoolers to “tag along” on Mondays and/or Wednesdays if we have room in vehicles.  

Mon Elementary Classic at Manastash Meet at Super 1 at 3:20 Return at 5:30

Tues 3:15 Middle & High School Group Manastash CLASSIC Return to EHS 6:00

Wed Elementary Skating or Classic at Manastash Meet at Super 1 at 3:20 Return at 5:30  

Thurs 3:15 EHS Middle & High School Group Manastash SKATING Return to EHS 5:45PM

Friday-Sunday: Methow Valley trip.  We are planning to meet at EHS at 3:15 PM, and depart as soon as rides are sorted out (people can headlamp ski Friday night if they are inspired).  For those racing, information and registration is here (note that you must register by Thursday evening):

http://methowvalleynordic.com/event/race-of-the-methow-2018/

Sunday 10-noon at Cabin Creek, Skating, for those not going to the Methow Valley. Let Carey know if you’d like to carpool: carey.gazis@gmail.com

Jan 29-Feb 4

Hello Skiers-

An intrepid group made the trek to Mt. Bachelor and had a fantastic weekend.  We experienced the full spectrum of winter, from snow and wind to sun and warm.  Isak, Uhuru and Audrey represented Ellensburg well in the races.  It was a nice day at Cabin Creek as well.  And we skied at Manastash all week- Thursday was the best day of the season so far up there.

Before I get into this week, a future event.  Email Heather Hazlett if you want to come to the Methow Feb 9-11.  She is arranging lodging.   Please email her at hhazlett@rufusenterprises.com

A big hit this weekend was this music video about biathlon.

Mon Elementary Classic at Manastash Meet at Super 1 at 3:20 Return at 5:30

Tues 3:15 Middle & High School Group Manastash CLASSIC Return to EHS 6:00

Wed Elementary Skating or Classic at Manastash Meet at Super 1 at 3:20 Return at 5:30  

Thurs 3:15 EHS Middle & High School Group Manastash SKATING Return to EHS 6PM

Sunday: Kongsberger Stampede at Cabin Creek

This is a fun event that is open to all.  It is part of the Washington Nordic Cup, a series of races that are low key, low cost, and maximize fun.  (wncup.org)  Everyone can race if they want.  The races are freestyle, which means most people will skate.  Classic is ok.

THERE IS NO DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION! PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR U14* AND YOUNGER, BUT YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER BY 9PM FEB 3RD.

*skiing has 2-year age groups: U20 is 1999 and 1998; U18 is 2000 and 2001;  U16 is 2002 and 2003; U14 is 2004 and 2005; U12 is 2006 and 2007; U10 is 2008 and 2009; U8 is 2010 and 2011; U6 is 2012 and younger.

Registration U16-20: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=124223

Registration U8-U14: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=125412

U6 or anyone doing the 0.5k does not need to register- we are not timing that race - they will just ski around a course and then get a lollipop.

Race Schedule:

10AM Stampede 15k

10:06 approx Stampede 5k (U16-U20)

10:55 2k U12-U14

10:57 1k U8-U10

10:59 Lollipop 0.5k (untimed)

I would recommend arriving about 9:30 to check in and get organized.

Jan 22-28

Elementary Parents expressed an interest in getting to snow. We will give this a try!

Mon Elementary Classic at Manastash Meet at Super 1 at 3:20 Return at 5:30.  Carey will check on conditions in the morning and if it is not good we will modify.  Check your email and Remind.

Tues 3:15 Middle & High School Group Manastash CLASSIC Return to EHS 6:00

Wed Elementary Skating or Classic at Manastash Meet at Super 1 at 3:20 Return at 5:30.  

Thurs 3:15 EHS Middle & High School Group Manastash SKATING Return to EHS 5:45.

The races in Utah were cancelled due to lack of snow.  Instead PNSA is holding a Saturday-Sunday race weekend at Mount Bachelor.  Jeff will take an intrepid group of skiers Friday-Sunday.  We have limited spaces to go to- please email me if interested. Cost for food, gas about $50.  Trail pass or race registration extra.  Race registration at: http://mbsef.org/nordic/races

Sun 10AM-noon Cabin Creek SKATING

Feb 9-11 Methow Valley.  If families are willing to commit, we can get a house for this weekend.  It would be great if someone is willing to take a lead on this.  Email if interested in coming or taking the lead.

Remind: If you want to get updates to your phone, sign up for Remind.  Text “@e4fbb8” to the number 81010

Jan 15-21

We had a great weekend in Spokane, and a great ski and treasure hunt at Cabin Creek.  It is looking a lot more like winter out here!

Tuesday Skating 3:15 EHS return 6 PM.  Jeff and Carey are out of town, but Ali will drive.  Skiing will be a either Mineral Springs (freshly groomed Monday) or Manastash.

Wednesday Elementary 3:30-4:45 Rotary Park North Parking Lot.  Bring classic skis, boots, and poles AND shoes.

Thursday  CLASSIC  3:15 EHS return 6 PM.  Likely Manastash.

Sunday Cabin Creek Skating 10AM-noon Carpool from EHS 9AM return 1PM.

Jan 8-14

Uhuru, Audrey, Linnea, Isak on the podium at Leavenworth

We had a great week last week with some great skiing on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as some fun games on Wednesday.  This week we are on our "normal" schedule:

Monday Elementary 3:30-4:45 Rotary Park North Parking Lot.  Bring classic skis, boots, and poles AND shoes.  We may find some snow patches to play on.  We will play some games as well.

Tuesday Skating 3:15 EHS return 6 or 7 PM.  We will drive to Cabin Creek or Blewett pass if there is grooming.  If Blewett is groomed we will get back earlier.

Wednesday Elementary 3:30-4:45 Rotary Park North Parking Lot.  Bring classic skis, boots, and poles AND shoes- same as Monday

Tuesday Skating 3:15 EHS return 6 or 7 PM.  Same as Tuesday.

Friday-Sunday Mt. Spokane Trip.  Meet Friday 3:15 at EHS (people can leave duffel bags with me in the morning).  Saturday Classic Races, Sunday Skate races.  You are welcome to come to ski without racing (there are lots of trails not involved in the races).  Please email me ASAP so we can coordinate drivers and number of seats. 

Sunday Cabin Creek Classic 10AM-noon for all those not going to Mt. Spokane.  Carpool possible from EHS 9AM return 1PM.

Happy New Year!  We are excited to ski with you this week!

Ski team jackets and race suits are available until Jan 9th.  Order online here.  About Jan 25th the gear will be shipped to us and we will hand them out at practice.

Wednesday 3:30-4:45 EHS Room E105 Elementary Group.  Bring skis, boots, poles, as well as outside shoes.  We will do a lesson on ski basics, equipment, clothing, and then an outside game.  (I am a little nervous about all the ice at Rotary so that is why we will meet inside.)

Thursday 3:15-7PM Skate Ski at Cabin Creek for Middle/High School Group.  Bring a headlamp and snacks.

There are two races this weekend.  They are both fun events.  Skirennen is more youth friendly.  Experienced high school racers might want to do the Gunnar Hagen.  Even if you don't race, there will be lots of good skiing at both places both days!

Saturday Skirennen at Leavenworth Golf Course.  This is a fun Washington Cup event.  The races are freestyle (skate or classic) and are for all ages, from under 8 to adult (first race 9:15AM).  More information here.

Sunday Gunnar Hagen Memorial.  This is a classic event (no skating allowed), with a 7.5 km race and no shorter races (the Skirennen will have the shorter races for the weekend.)  First race is at 10AM.  More information here.  (We will not have our normal Sunday all-ages session because of the race.)

Finally looking farther ahead, some of us will travel to Mt. Spokane Jan 12-14th.  There are races there, but people can travel to enjoy skiing in a different area.  We will be staying in Spokane (about 45 minutes from the ski area) in a house all together (Thanks Dr. McCarthy!)  Race registration link is here.

Lots of fun coming up!