As a reminder, race registration for Saturday now ends at 10:00 tonight.
COURSE UPDATE: All of the manmade snow is spread, and if there is no additional workable snow, we would be skiing on a 1 kilometer loop which is in excellent condition.
HOWEVER, at 4:30 p.m., it is snowing very hard at Huron Meadows; at about 1 inch per hour. Conditions are very promising for a longer loop, but there is absolutely no way to know until tomorrow morning, when we know how much snow we have to work with. I will try to post updates tomorrow on NSR.com. That will be the best place to find the latest information tomorrow.
A few reminders about tomorrow’s race.
START TIME: 1:00.
COURSE INSPECTION: NOON— ABSOLUTELY NO EARLIER.
BIBS: Bib pickup will be inside the clubhouse. Please remember IF you are racing on Sunday to SAVE YOUR BIB FOR SUNDAY’S RACE! YOU WILL REUSE YOUR SAME BIB SUNDAY.
RACE SAFETY: It is expected to be very windy during the race. As always, race organizer reserve the right to pull any skier from the course who is deemed to be at risk.
Saturday's race start time has been moved to 1:00pm. Course will be open for inspection at noon. Sunday's race will start at the normal 10:00am with course open at 9:00am.
We've moved Saturday's start time to 1:00pm to take maximum advantage of new snow and to allow travelers more time to get to the race.
Snow continues to be made as weather permits. Weather forecasts are predicting several inches of very wet snow Tuesday, mixed with rain. Friday night is still calling for 5-8 inches. Given the unpredictability of the situation, we are working with several scenarios which are all weather dependent:
No significant new snow. Then we're on the man made loop which as of today would be about 1 kilometer long, but snow is still being made which could change its length. However, rain and warm temps will consume the snow and give us less to work with. If this is the scenario, skiers will have to walk to the start line in the woods. Start time may be adjusted to later in the day depending upon overnight weather. Start format may also be adjusted to reduce congestion on the course.
A little new snow. Then we're looking at hopefully all of Buck's Run 2.5 kilometer loop, including the connector to the clubhouse, if conditions allow. Start time may be adjusted to later in the day depending upon overnight weather.
Big snowfall. Then we will look at how much, if any, of the golf course can be groomed. This will be a night before the race, morning of the race decision. In this scenario there will also be the possibility of moving the race start time back to allow for time to groom and for extra travel time for participants.
Depending on the weather, any possible combination of the above three options.
We will continue to monitor the weather and snowmaking and provide updates throughout the week. We really won't know more until the weather situation becomes clearer. More options may develop once we have a better idea of how much snow there is to work with.
Ken Roth
https://www.skisignup.com/Race/MI/Brighton/FrostyFest
ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY! NO - repeat - NO DAY OF RACE or ON-SITE REGISTRATION! Registration ends 1:00pm the day before the race. If you are racing both days, registration ends the day before the first race at 1:00pm. If you miss the registration end, you'll miss your Michigan Cup points!
All proceeds from the race are donated to Huron Meadows to help fund ski instructors, cross country ski trail development, snow making, and rental equipment. We’re all volunteers who simply want to see everyone get out and enjoy the winter!
Huron Meadows requires a day pass ($10) or an annual pass ($50) to enter the park.
If there is no snow, the Frosty Freestyle and/or Krazy Klassic will be rescheduled to a later weekend!
The race fee includes a Buck's Run trail pass for race day(s).
Worried about snow? Huron Meadows’ three snow guns pretty much guarantee snow coverage over the 2.5km-long Buck’s Run Trail. This year we've upgraded the water system to increase the quantity and quality of the snow and bought an even better groomer / powertill!
If Mother Nature doesn't deliver the real stuff, we'll race laps on Buck’s Run. If we have lots of natural snow, the Frosty Fest will run on the normal ski trails at Huron Meadows.
See trail reports for the race trail (and many other trails!) on the NordicSkiRacer.com XC Ski Trail Conditions page.
Packet pickup will be Saturday/Sunday morning beginning at 8:00a.m. A bib with your name and age on it will be found on tables inside/outside the ski center (depending on weather conditions). Bibs will be sorted alphabetically. Verify your age. Collect your bib and race goodie bag.
IF YOU ARE RACING BOTH DAYS: You only need to pickup a packet on Saturday. You will REUSE YOUR BIB ON SUNDAY so don't throw it out!
START TIMES / WAVES.
The race will be held on Buck's Run. The start will be outside the Ski Center and skiers will race counter-clockwise around the trail, starting a new lap back at the Ski Center. (We raced Clockwise last year - we plan to alternate directions each year!)
Saturday's long race will be approximately 15K. You will ski 6 laps. You are responsible for counting your own laps. Saturday's short race will be approximately 5K. You will ski 2 laps. You are responsible for counting your own laps.
Sunday's long race will be approximately 12K. You will ski 5 laps. You are responsible for counting your own laps Sunday's short race will be approximately 5K. You will ski 2 laps. You are responsible for counting your own laps
FEEDS: Hammer Nurtition Heed will be available on the course by the Ski Center. Fill up your water bottle before the race or stop during the race and get a feed!
POST-RACE FOOD! Yes, we plan to feed you after the race.
AWARDS: To minimize the time people are close to each other (hey, not only do we have to worry about OMICRON, but the flu is back!), we plan to post results. Age group winner awards will be at separate tables. Drop by the first, second, or third-place tables to be checked off the list and to pick up your award.
POST-RACE SKIING:
The race entry includes a trail pass. Take advantage of it and get in some more skiing!SATURDAY JAN 13 at 10:00 AM
If on man-made snow: There are two distances: 12km (6 laps around the 2.5km trail) and 5km (2 laps around the 2.5km trail). There will be a skate lane and a single classic track. Skiers choose to skate or classic ski the course. The trail is relatively flat, with two small hills. Michigan Cup: The 12km distance is a senior points race; the 5km distance awards junior points.
If on natural snow: There are two distances: 15km (three connected 5km loops) and 5km (a 5km loop). There will be a skate lane and a single classic track. Skiers choose to skate or classic ski the course. The 5km loops has some easy rolling terrain, but the 15km distance introduces some big ups and fast downs. Michigan Cup: The 15km distance is a senior points race; the 5km distance awards junior points.
This is the 14th running of the Frosty Freestyle!
Online registration ends on Friday, January 11 at 1:00pm. The price increases by $5 after midnight, December 31, 2023, so register early!
SUNDAY JAN 15 at 10:00 AM
If on man-made snow: There are two distances: 12km (6 laps around the 2.5km trail) and 5km (2 laps around the 2.5km trail). There will be three classic tracks around the majority of the course. This is a classic-only race - no skating allowed! The trail is relatively flat, with two small hills. Michigan Cup: The 12km distance is a senior points race; the 5km distance awards junior points.
If on natural snow: There are two distances: 10km (2 laps around two 5km loops) and 5km (a 5km loop). The course will be double-tracked. This is a classic-only race - no skating allowed! The loops have rolling terrain - the second loop in the 10km has some big ups and downs!. Michigan Cup: The 10km distance is a senior points race; the 5km distance awards junior points.
This is the 12th running of the Krazy Klassic!
Online registration ends on Saturday, January 12 at 1:00pm. The price increases by $5 after midnight, December 31, 2023, so register early!
The top three overall and the top three age group finishers win awards. The top three overall are removed from the age group awards. Age groups are:
13 and under
14-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
Huron Meadows Metropark is Team NordicSkiRacer's home base! Join the team and meet other skiers who like to race. Learn how to ski better and faster! We're a social club and help each other be better skiers and have fun.