Grand Mesa Gliders goes one more weekend (bonus!) with some fun races fall all ages and more!  Head on down toward the hut this Saturday, February 4 to this “open to all kids” event!

The following routes and times apply age group accordingly:

GMG Ski Festival and Races (open to all!)

Start/Finish area – near Practice Loop/Warming Hut

10:30am – 5K* (Sunset-Lions-Arroyo-back up Lions) (7^th-8^th grade) Boys, HS and adults – parents are welcome and encouraged (baby trailer division)!)

11:00am – 3K(Winslow-Lions-Arroyo-back up Lions) – (7^th-8^th grade) Girls

11:01am – 3K(Winslow-Lions-Arroyo-back up Lions) – (5^th-6^th grade) Boys

11:02am – 3K(Winslow-Lions-Arroyo-back up Lions) – (5^th-6^th grade) Girls

11:30am – 2K(Winslow-Lions)- (3^rd-4^th grade) Boys

11:31am – 2K(Winslow-Lions)- (3^rd-4^th grade) Girls

11:45am – .75K (practice loop + short loop) – (2^nd grade) Boys

11:46am – .75K (practice loop + short loop) – (2^nd grade) Girls

11:55am – (short loop) – (K-1^st grade) Boys and Girls (Interval Start)

(*Ks are approximate)

Need volunteers for:  timing, starting and finishing, intersection, sweep, and assistance with ski rental collection.

Western Slope CAIC Avalanche Talk

January 26, 6:00 pm

Hotchkiss Memorial Hall

175 N 1^st Street, Hotchkiss, Colorado

Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Back Country Access, and USFS

2.5 hour Avalanche Safety Talk at the Hotchkiss Memorial Hall

Speakers are Ben Pritchett, Education Coordinator for CAIC, and Doug Marah, Trail Coordinator, Winter Survival, and Avalanche Trainer for the US Forest Service

This will be a 2-3 hour talk / slide show given by professionals as a service to the public.

Everyone is encouraged to attend.  Snowshoers, Skiers, Snowmobilers, General Public

Ben Prichett joined the CAIC in 2006 as the education coordinator

He forecasted several seasons for the Crested Butte Avalanche Center

He has numerous years ski guiding and teaching level 1, 2, and 3 avalanche courses

He’s done curriculum development and training avalanche instructors with American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)

And many years working on the snow safety crew for the Elk Mountain Grand Traverse race

Ben holds an AMGA Ski Guide certification

He has a bachelor’s degree in Biology, current WFA status, and owns his own guide service.

Drawing for Tracker II avalanche beacon donated by Back Country Access after talk

Tickets $5 or 5/$20 available at all the Lodges on Grand Mesa, A-n-G Fly Fishing and Guide Service, at Grand Mesa Visitors Center, Grand Mesa Power Sports, Weekender Sporting Goods, and KVNF Radio

The next GMNC monthly board meeting will be Tuesday, January 10 at 6:30pm in Delta’s Bill Heddles Recreation Center.

The Mesa State Nordic Ski Team is partnering with the Grand Mesa Nordic Council to hold a vintage ski race this Saturday, January 29 at Skyway on the Grand Mesa.

Racers will start together in parade formation and ski one lap of the 1 kilometer (0.6mile) sprint course.

All eras and types of skis and ski attire are encouraged. The event will be scored ala mogul skiing or figure skating, with points being given for finish time, style, costume (er, vintage ski apparel), ski age and material (extra points for wooden skis), and crowd appeal.

Prizes and awards will given for oldest skis, best attire, and any other categories that the judges deem appropriate.

Pull out your wooden skis, that old neon skisuit or your woolen knickers and join the fun.

The race starts at 11:30am. Registration opens at 10am. No entry fee, just a suggested $10 donation to the Mesa State Nordic Ski team (to fund their trip to nationals).

The Vintage Ski Race will take place in between rounds of the Mesa State Invitational Sprint, an exciting sprint event (think skiercross) pitting racers head-to-head in pursuit of a fast and furious finish. Come cheer on the home team in this spectator-friendly event!

Please note: the sprint will include a citizen’s category, with award going to the top male and female citizen finisher.

Questions? Contact Christie,  grandmesanordic@gmail.com

Join us this weekend at Skyway for two exciting days of racing.

MESA STATE INVITATIONAL

Saturday Jan. 29, 2011
1K Freestyle (Collegiate & Citizen Divisions, prizes to the top citizen finishers)

Time Trial start 11AM. Elimination Heats follow one hour later.

GRAND MESA CLASSIC
Sunday Jan. 30, 2011
10K Classic 11AM

The Mesa State College Ski Team will host a this Friday evening at Powderhorn. Proceeds benefit the team. Come join the team for a pasta dinner and meet the skiers. MSC is hosting a thanksgiving camp and the University of Wyoming team will also be attending the dinner and camp.

Date: Friday, November 26
Location: the Bear’s Den at Powderhorn.
Time: 5pm
Cost: $20 or $15 for GMNC members.

You can also join or renew your GMNC membership at the event.
If you plan to attend, please email christinaarstark@gmail.com with the number in your party.