Keweenaw Nordic Festival, February 4-5, 2012

Fri, Jan  13, 2012 - By Dean Woodbeck

The Copper Loppet, the 44th running of the Copper Island Classic, and the new Low Pressure Loppet (a 15 km snow bike race), comprise the 2012 Library Restaurant Keweenaw Nordic Festival, February 4-5, 2012, in Houghton and Chassell, Michigan. The weekend will also feature a qualifying race for the Great Lakes Junior National team.

Ambitious skiers can compete in the Paradise Pursuit, which includes the 30 km race on Saturday and 10 km race on Sunday.

There is plenty of snow in the Keweenaw and the trails are in excellent mid-winter condition. The complete schedule and registration is available at www.keweenawnordicfest.com.

Saturday, February 4, features the 15 km and 30 km Copper Loppet at the Michigan Tech Trails, starting at high noon. The races cover the length and breadth of the Michigan Tech trail system. Skiers will start at the main trailhead and ski one or two loops of the race course.

Once the skiers are finished on Saturday, winter bike enthusiasts have the opportunity to ride the Low Pressure Loppet, using the same 15km course.

Skiers will rendezvous in Chassell on Sunday, February 5, for the annual Copper Island Classic. This classic-only race includes a 2km youth race, and 5km and 10km races on the Chassell Classic Trails. Skiers can choose to race for the gold or participate in the “guess your time” event, in which the person closest to their estimated time wins the title.

The weekend will also feature a qualifying race for the Great Lakes Junior National Team. These skiers, ages 13-19, will ski a 5km or 10km course at the Tech Trails Saturday morning and a 5km or 10km course in Chassell on Sunday.

The Library Restaurant will provide the Luscious Loppet on Saturday, a sumptuous meal for all Copper Loppet, Low Pressure Loppet, and Junior National qualifier skiers on Saturday.