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!

Holiday Update and Team Gear Order

Hello skiers-

• Our small but mighty contingent of Uhuru and Isak represented Ellensburg well in the Junior Qualifier races in Bend last weekend.  Congratulations to them!

• We are not going to have any practices over break.  Skiing has been good at Cabin Creek if you are able to get there.  We will start our elementary skiers on January 3rd and Middle/High School Jan 4th.

• If you want to order a team jacket or race suit, visit here.  They are very nice.  Our order closes Jan 9th, and the gear will arrive about 2 weeks after. We have a couple youth suits that people can borrow for the season if they want as well.  

• Looking ahead, one of the race series we participate in is the Washington Nordic Cup.  The emphasis of this series is on participation and fun.  Cost and pressure are low.  Fun is high.  Check out the website at https://www.wncup.org  The first race is Dec 27th in the Methow valley.  A few Ellensburgers are planning to attend- contact me if you are thinking of joining.

• Looking further ahead, we will have three weekend trips: Mt. Spokane Jan 12-14, Soldier Hollow (Utah) Jan 25-28, and Methow Valley Feb 9-11.  Each trip is $100-$150 for gas, food and lodging.  If families want to come, that is great, but we might need to secure more lodging. Talk over with your family and please email me with the trips and numbers of people you are interested in.

Happy Holidays to all!

Weekly Update Dec 12, 14, 15-17

If you are looking for general information and registration, scroll down.

Tuesday: SKATING Cabin Creek.  Meet EHS 3:15, Return 7PM.  We will drive to Cabin Creek.  There is enough room in the Hashimoto vehicle.  Bring a headlamp.

Thursday Roller Skiing at EHS meet 3:30-4:30.  Bring ski boots, running shoes, and poles. I have several pairs of roller skis for folks to try.

Friday-Sunday Bend trip.  Please email ASAP if you want to join.

Weekly Update Dec 5, 7,10

We are starting our Middle School/High School Group this week.  The schedule is:

Tuesday EHS Commons 3:15-4:30.  Bring ski poles, wear running shoes and dress for outside.  We will run to Craig's Hill and do some ski bounding exercises.

Thursday: EHS 3:15-7PM.  Skate Ski at Cabin Creek. Bring a headlamp and snacks.  I have room for 7.

Sunday 10AM-noon Cabin Creek.  Technique TBD depends on snow conditions.  We would like to classic ski, but there might not be enough snow for it.  Carpool from Ellensburg and Thorp possible.  If you park at Cabin Creek you need a snow park permit with special groomed trails sticker.

Mount Bachelor Dec 15-17.  We have a rental house with room in it.  If more folks want to come send me an email.  Mount Bachelor is one of the premier cross country ski areas in North America!

March 1 and March 4-5

This is the winter that keeps on giving!  We had a great time in Plain on Saturday and at Cabin Creek today.  This is the last week of practice.

Plain 5k

Little Lake Kachess

Wednesday- Skating at Elk Heights. 3:20 Meet at EHS.  Ski 3:50-5:15, return to EHS 5:45

Saturday Washington Cup Finals 11AM SKATING Cabin Creek.  (Arrive at 10AM to register and organize for an 11AM start).  This will be a fun event.  Carey and Jeff have been among the organizers of the series, so please come out for the season finale (Hint- there are a lot of great prizes.)

Sunday Ozbaldy 10k SKATING race at Cabin Creek 9AM start.  Arrive 8AM to register and organize for 9AM start).  Registration link here.

Several families have talked about renting a house for the weekend March 9-11, perhaps in Plain or Methow Valley.  Contact Carey if you are interested.  cgazis@geology.cwu.edu

Uhuru and Jeff leave for Junior Nationals in Lake Placid on Friday.  Wish Uhuru and the rest of the Pacific Northwest Skiers luck!

Feb 22 and beyond...

Well earned Apres Ski hot chocolate!

Julia tearing up the hill in the classic race.

Congratulations to the Mt. Spokane skiers.  We had a fantastic weekend, with winter in full swing.  We had great skiing (of course), card games, snowball fights, camaraderie...  It was fantastic.  Congratulations to Julia, Gavin, Isak, Audrey and Uhuru for their great race performances.  Julia raced her longest distances ever, a long 3k Saturday and Sunday.  Gavin and Isak had great performances in the 5k skate.  Audrey raced back to back 10ks.  Uhuru raced Sunday only, but was the event winner and qualified for Junior Nationals, to be held in Lake Placid, NY March 3-11.

We are down to the last 2 weeks of our program.  With the longer days, we have been enjoying some great afternoon skis.  This weekend is the first ever event in Plain, WA.  It is free and low key, and should feature a great new course.  The following week, Saturday March 4th, is the Washington Cup Finals at Cabin Creek- also free!  These are great events to wrap up a great season.

Finally, save the date Wednesday March 15th, 6PM Cornerstone Pie for our end of season celebration.

Regular Practices:

Wednesday: Elk Heights SKATING 3:20 Depart EHS, 3:50-5:10 Ski, 5:40 return to EHS

Saturday: Plain Race SKATING: Depart EHS 8:00, Arrive Plain 9:45.  Race 11:00, stay to ski a bit, return to Ellensburg 4:00  More info about Plain here.

Sunday: Cabin Creek CLASSIC 10AM-noon.  Carpool from Fruit Barn 9AM.

Additional Practices

Tuesday: 3:00-3:30 Lincoln for after school games, afterwards Manastash SKATING

Thursday Blewett Pass SKATING- possible rendezvous with Leavenworth skiers.

Friday: 3:00-3:45 Lincoln for after school games