Methow skiing history
Methow At Home offers an online presentation by Don Portman, who began the cross country program back in the 1970s at Sun Mountain, on the history of skiing in the Methow on Feb. 10 at 9 a.m. Register at methowathome.org.
Ski to the Sun registration open
Registration is still open for the Methow Trails/Methow Valley Nordic Ski Education Foundation 2022 Ski to the Sun Marathon and Relay, scheduled for Feb. 12. The freestyle ski event starts at Mazama and finishes at Sun Mountain Lodge. Ski the course as a 42-kilometer marathon or be part of a relay team with up to five members.
Registration cost is $105 for the marathon and $70 for relay team members by Feb. 1, which is the deadline for relay registration. After Feb. 1, registration for the marathon is $155 until the Feb. 4 deadline. Kids 17 and under are free.
Visit www.methowtrails.org/events/2022-ski-to-the-sun-marathon-and-relay/02-12-2022 for details, or email events@methowtrails.org with questions.
Exercising advice
Methow At Home offers “Exercising as We Age,” an online presentation by local physical therapist Pete Dickinson, on Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. Register at methowathome.org.
Lee Adams Tour in February
The Lee Adams Tour of the Methow, a non-timed, non-competitive Nordic ski through some of the major parts of the Methow Trails system, is scheduled for Feb. 19. The tour includes lunch in Mazama and shuttle buses to help with logistics.
The full tour course goes from the Cub Creek trailhead over Rendezvous Pass and down to Mazama (30 kilometers), then around the Early Winters part of the system and back to Mazama (20K), and finally from Mazama to Winthrop (30K). Most participants choose to do only a portion of the full 80K, and you can do whichever portions you like, starting at Cub Creek, Mazama, Winthrop, or trailheads in between.
Buses will take skiers from Mazama to Winthrop and from Winthrop to Cub Creek. Another bus will take skiers from Winthrop to Mazama. Bus departure times are as follows: 7:30 a.m. from Mazama to Winthrop (and then to Cub Creek); 8 a.m. from Winthrop (Spring Creek Ranch Trailhead) to Cub Creek;10 a.m. from Winthrop (Spring Creek Ranch Trailhead) to Mazama Community Club; 11 a.m. from Mazama Community Club to Winthrop (Spring Creek Ranch Trailhead). Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to bus departure time.
Registration deadline is Feb. 15. Cost is $20 for members of Methow Valley Nordic or Methow Trails; $30 for non-members. Kids 17 and under ski for free. All skiers must have valid trail passes. For information, email info@mvnsef.org, or visit www.skireg.com/lee-adams-tour-of-the-methow or https://methowvalleynordic.com/events/tour-of-the-methow.
Get ready for Doggie Dash
Yes, some skiing and running are involved, but it’s all about the costumes at the annual Methow Trails Doggie Dash, scheduled for Feb. 20. Human-dog teams compete in short heats to go for the glory of the coveted Golden Poodle award. As the Methow Trails website notes: “Humans must ski. Dogs must run. Dogs must be on a leash. Both must be in costume. It’s that simple.”
Participation is by donation. Go to https://methowvalleynews.com/2020/02/19/doggie-dash for information about pre-registration; you may also register on the morning of the event between 9 and 9:30 a.m. The costume parade is at 10 a.m.; heats begin at 10:10 a.m. The race location is likely to be at the Spring Creek Ranch trailhead, but may possibly be at the new Methow Trails headquarters. Check the Methow Trails website for updates. Email events@methowtrails.org for information.
