Jan 28th & Feb 1

Before we get into this week's events, a plug for the future.

Mount Spokane Feb 13-15: The races that were going to be held at Cabin Creek have been moved to Mt. Spokane due to low snow.  We will go to Mt. Spokane Friday after school, ski Saturday and Sunday, and return Sunday (some might stay and ski Monday Presidents Day, as well).  Mt. Spokane has great skiing and put on some nice races.  Last year the total cost of a 2-day trip (lodging, food, gas) was $115.  This does not include race registration costs.  We are again staying at Bear Creek Lodge, about 4 miles from the ski trails.  It would be a great family trip, but kids can come without parents if they want.

If you want to go on this trip I need to know NOW!  Sam, the manager at Bear Creek Lodge, is holding a couple rooms for us, but wants to fill the rooms for the holiday weekend.  If your family is interested in coming and would like your own room, please contact him as soon as possible at 509-238-9114 (room descriptions in link above).  Right now we have some extra space in the "Wedding Suite."  If more people want to go without families, I will need to reserve another room.

Mount Spokane Feb 27-Mar 1: This was when we were originally planning to go to Mt. Spokane.  They are holding some races for U14 kids and the Spokane Nordic Challenge, a 20k, 30k, and 50k ski.  We did it last year and had a blast.  We will stay at Bear Creek Lodge this weekend also.  There are lots of open rooms, but we will need to get them reserved soon.  Please let me know your plans this week so we can get those reservations done.

This week:

Wednesday 3:30 EHS Parking Lot- drive to Cabin Creek- SKATING.  Return 6:45

Sunday 10AM-noon Cabin Creek CLASSIC

Despite the low snow, the skiing has been great.  It has been wonderful watching everyone improve and enjoy skiing!  See you soon.

Jan 21 & 25th

It was fantastic skiing in the Methow.  Congratulations to all the racers: Gwynie, Gavin, Isak, Jed & Uhuru.  Racing is a great way to challenge yourself and improve.  I told these racers that I have been first and I have been last in races.  The races I am most proud of are not those I won- they are the ones where I did something I previously thought was impossible.  Usually it was faster people who helped me have these breakthroughs.  The Methow races were challenging, with strong skiers and difficult courses.  Gwynie, Gavin, Isak, Jed and Uhuru did a great job representing Ellensburg.  Uhuru and Jed ended up making the podium (top 3) in their respective races.  People are getting used to seeing those bright yellow suits!

Over the weekend we had sun, powder, a rainbow, actual rain, then snow and more sun.  It was fantastic skiing.

On to this week:

Wednesday: Cabin Creek SKATING.  Depart EHS parking lot 3:30 (sooner if we can).  Skate until 5:45, Return 6:45. Last week was fantastic skiing- and it was fun to be out there with other junior teams: both The Bush School and Momentum Northwest were out- so there were LOTS of headlamps out there!  Bring a headlamp.  Last week we had plenty of space for all skiers (so parents shouldn't have to drive.)

Sunday: EITHER 10AM-noon SKATING at Cabin Creek or Jente Loppet at Hyak (if it happens- the website has not been updated).  The Jente Loppet is primarily a women's race but has offered a nice race for youth under 18.  I'll update the page when I hear more.

Finally, looking way ahead, Spokane is hosting a weekend of junior races Feb 28-Mar 1 and the Spokane Nordic Challenge (20k, 30km, and 50k options).  Several skiers participated in this event last year and had a wonderful time.  If you are interested send me an email.  Last year we all stayed at Bear Creek Lodge, which was very convenient to the skiing.   If we want to repeat this experience we should start making lodging arrangements.

Jan 14 & Methow Weekend

Wed Jan 14: Skating at Cabin Creek.

3:30 Meet at EHS front parking lot 4:15- arrive- start skiing.  5:30 depart 6:15 Return to EHS.

Bring a headlamp- we'll try to bring a couple extras.

Thurs Jan 15: Waxing- at EHS after school- bring your race skis for this weekend.

Methow Weekend - There will be a lot of options for the week.  Here is a preliminary itinerary:

Friday- depart after school- carpools possible?  Evening ski with headlamps?

Saturday- 8AM racers arrive at Liberty Bell High School

9AM Sprint Qualifying (individual start classic) begins

11ish Sprint Semifinals & Finals

Noon CLASSIC ski lesson for racers and non-racers @ Liberty Bell High School

There is an awards dinner if people are interested- $10 per person- burritos.

Sunday

815AM Racers arrive Liberty Bell High School

9AM Skate individual start races

1130 Skate Ski lesson for racers and non-racers

Monday 8:30AM Chickadee- long ski on the fantastic trails - skate or classic

For those NOT going to Methow, there is good skiing at Cabin Creek.  Enjoy it!  Sunday's race was cancelled due to low snow so the trails will all be open.  The Viking course was in great shape for the Wednesday skiers.

January 7 & 11th

Hello Skiers- It's time!!!  We've had to drive for it, but there is skiing to be had!  Uhuru, Carey and Jeff raced at Mount Bachelor this weekend.  The skiing was fantastic!  Several people commented about our suits- "Where can I get a suit like that?" was what one kid said to me today!  If you haven't seen these suits...well, they're kind of bright...you'll know when you do.  Bend results from Saturday and Sunday.

Wednesday- 3:30PM-4:30PM Ellensburg High School Room E105.  Wear running shoes and bring ski poles.  We'll run (or walk for the young ones) up Craig's hill and practice technique with ski poles.  This can be a great way to learn ski technique in preparation for our first day skiing which is...

Sunday 10AM-noon @ Cabin Creek.  CLASSIC but check your email in case conditions change.  Remember you need a snopark permit with special groomed trails sticker- available online here.

OTHER NOTES:

• Carpooling- we will almost always carpool- parents do NOT need to drive your kids to Cabin Creek unless you want to.  In general we'll meet in Thorp by the Fruit Barn at 9AM.
• Season Competitor Award!  This is like a varsity letter for ski team.  Participants who complete 4 races, ski a certain total amount of kilometers (depends on age), and participate in practices will receive a trophy at the end of the year.  We'll have details out this week at practice.
• I have ONE more youth medium ski suit for rent.  For $50, I will check out the suit to your child for the season.  After 3 seasons, the suit will be paid for and further income will pay for awards, supplies, and more suits.

OTHER SKI HAPPENINGS THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU:

Saturday Jan 10th : Skiing in Leavenworth.  They were supposed to have a race, but have postponed it.  We may go there to ski with the Leavenworth team anyway.  If anyone would like a ride please contact Jeff.

Friday Jan 16-Monday Jan19 Methow Valley Trip.  If you haven't email Tim please do so immediately- he is arranging housing for the trip.  There will be great skiing for all.  For those who want to race- there will be races for skiers of all ages and abilities.  For those who want to just ski- that's great too.  We'll leave Friday 3:30 and return Monday 2PM (MLK day).  Families are welcome, but older kids can come on their own. See the MVSTA page to get psyched!

December 9th and 10th

Tuesday 3:30-4:30 @ Ellensburg High School E105 Ski bounding.  Bring ski clothes and wear running shoes and clothes appropriate for the weather.

Wednesday.  Uhuru, Apollo and I are going to go to Blewett Pass to try to find some skiing.  It might be terrible, it might be ok.  It looked ok yesterday. We have 2 seats if anyone is up for the adventure.  Please email me back if interested.

3:30 Depart EHS front parking lot.  4:15-5:45 ski (depending on conditions we might come back earlier).  6:30 return to EHS.  Bring a HEADLAMP and skis that might hit rocks.

Finally, looking ahead, snow permitting we will hold a time trial (a low key race) at Cabin Creek on December 21st at 10AM.

Wrap Up March 3, 2014

Our official practices are over.  But winter seemed to be in full gear this weekend!  We had a great trip to Spokane where it felt more like Alaska.  A great time was had by all.

This has been a strange winter weather-wise.  There's still quite a bit of snow, and you will be able to find snow for several more weeks.  Grooming at Cabin Creek continues to April 1st (and possibly beyond).  The groomer is hoping to groom Elk Heights this week, but the forecast is for warm, so he'll have to see.  I encourage you to get out skiing- after all, summer will be here soon enough.

We were thinking of an end of season gathering on Tuesday the 11th at Cornerstone Pie at 6.  If I get a flurry of emails saying that doesn't work, or they're not open on Tuesday, we'll change it. Otherwise, see you next Tuesday.
 

A few thoughts for next year:

1)  We are going to design a team race suit.  I'll get the process going this spring, but be prepared to look sharp and fast!

2)  There are some dryland camps during the summer (more geared to upper middle and high school).  Let me know if you are interested.

3)  Silver Star Thanksgiving.  Our family (and many skiers from the northwest) make an annual pilgrimage to Silver Star in Canada to seek out early snow.  The Methow coaches offer a camp for skiers aged 12 and up.  Parents do not need to go- Leavenworth and Methow teams bring many kids without families.  But of course families are welcome.  If we get some folks to commit we can rent a house for the vacation.

Enjoy the rest of the winter and hope to see you on the trails-

Jeff and Carey

Weekly Update Feb 22 and Mt. Spokane Info

Wednesday Elk Heights SKATING
     Meet at EHS @ 3:20, Ski 3:45-5:15, return to EHS 5:40
     Ski to the great views at the microwave tower for the ambitious!
     Last practice of the year!

Mount Spokane Trip

Feb 28-Mar 2, 2014

Friday

1:00 Departure from EHS (each line a vehicle)- 13 people for Friday’s dinner

            Tim, Anne, Magnus, Nils

            Jeff, Apollo, Isak, Anders

            Carey, Meg, Salma, Tess, Uhuru

5:00 Departure (not having dinner at Bear Creek)

            Ali, Jerry, Gavin, Gwynnie, Andy, Audrey

4:30 Arrive Mt. Spokane- ski SKATING till dark (about 6PM)

            Return to Bear Creek Lodge, move in

7:00 Dinner Buffet at Bear Creek Lodge

8:00 Video- Olympics

9-10 Goodnight

Saturday

8:00 Wake Up, breakfast at Bear Creek Lodge

9:00 Morning ski CLASSIC

Lunch at Mt. Spokane (Jeff will purchase sandwich fixings)

1:00 Afternoon ski SKATING

2-4 Return to Bear Creek Lodge (depending on people’s energy)

5:00 Ski Waxing

6:00 Dinner Buffet at Bear Creek Lodge

7:00 Ski Waxing

8:00 Video- Olympics

9-10 Goodnight

Sunday (*Selkirk Challenge Loppet 9AM 50k, 9:45 30k, 10:30 20k must check in 30 minutes before start)

7-8AM Wake Up, breakfast at Bear Creek Lodge

8-9AM Depart for Mt. Spokane

9AM Selkirk Challenge

Noon- lunch-

2PM depart for Ellensburg

6 PM Return to Ellensburg

Directions

Ellensburg to Bear Creek Lodge (3 hours)

Drive I-90 East to Exit 281 (US 2 E/US 395N)- turn north for 8 miles

Turn gentle right on Newport Highway (sign for Mt. Spokane State Park)

Turn Right on 206 East (sign for Mt. Spokane State Park)

Bear Creek Lodge is on the left, just before the park entrance

Bear Creek Lodge to Mt. Spokane Ski Area (10 minutes)

Continue on road up hill for 3 miles.  Turn right at pass, following signs for Nordic area to parking lot

Rooms

#9/11 Tim, Anne, Magnus, Nils

#5/7 Uhuru, Audrey, Salma, Tess

#12/14 Jerry, Ali, Gavin, Gwynnie

#15/17: Carey, Meg, Apollo, Anders, Isak

#10 Andy, Jeff

Expenses- I’ve tried to estimate amounts including tax. All prices are per person.

$15 gas

$14 dinner (each night)

$65 Lodging for two nights (breakfast is included)

$6 Lunch Sat and Sunday

$95 Total

*People coming with parents can handle their own room and meal expenses as a family.  People coming without please bring check for $100 to Jeff