Jackson Ski Touring Announces 2006-2007 Events
Fri, Oct 27, 2006 - By Thomas Perkins
Jackson, NH – The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation has a full schedule of events planned for the 2006-2007 ski season. The first event planned kicks off the cross country season with a large ski swap and sale on both new and used items. The Annual Nordic Ski Swap and Sale is scheduled for Saturday, November 11 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Cross country enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels can take advantage of great bargain prices on quality equipment, clothing and accessories. Skiers can also purchase their season passes at early season pass prices, the deadline is November 11th. Proceeds from the Ski Swap benefit the Bill Koch Junior Cross Country Ski League, a recreational program designed to introduce children 13 and under to the lifelong sport of cross country skiing.
New this year is a unique art display of fifty photographs of the hands of prominent New England Cross Country Skiers, by photographer Sally Taylor. The photos will be on display at the Jackson Ski Touring Center Base Lodge from November 19 – December 1, 2006. There are fifty photos in the display, of which approximately twenty-five will remain at Jackson Ski Touring throughout the winter; the remaining will be available for viewing at the New England Ski Museum. There is no charge to view the photographs; the public is encouraged to stop by during operating hours.
There are several more events planned for January of 2007. On January 20th, the third annual White Mountain Classic 30K marathon race and tour will be held at Jackson Ski Touring. A major fundraiser for the valley-wide Junior Nordic ski program, this race is now a part of the NENSA (New England Nordic Ski Association) marathon series. The entry fee of $40 by January 6, 2007 or $50 by January 17th includes feed stations, a post race meal, awards and random prizes to both racers and tourers. Registration is online at www.skireg.com.
The following weekend in January also promises to be busy and exciting at the Jackson Ski Touring Center. On January 26 and 27, 2007 the UNH Winter Carnival Races will be held. The 31st Annual Jackson Jaunt Citizens Race will also be run on January 27th. On January 28th, the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation will be hosting this year’s New England Women’s XC Ski Day. Held at different locations in New England each year, this event offers a day of cross country skiing for women, by women. Activities include clinics, workshops, lunch, a raffle and an optional fun one km relay race with prizes. Proceeds from this event will benefit Starting Point, which provides services for victims of domestic violence in Carroll County, New Hampshire. For more information and to register for this event, go online to www.nensa.net.
February brings the second annual “Hearts of Jackson” Inn Tour on Sunday, February 11, 2007 from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. Participants can ski, snowshoe or drive from inn to inn, stopping along the way for a surprise “heart” themed treat or gift. Everyone will be greeted with warm hospitality by the local innkeepers, and will have an opportunity to tour the different inns. Maps will be provided and a small commemorative gift will be given to all participants of the tour. The inns on the Heart Proceeds from this event benefit the American Heart Association. Sign-up for the Hearts of Jackson Tour is limited to150 people, reservations are recommended. The cost of the tour is $25 per person which includes a trail pass, and a small commemorative gift. To sign up for the Heart Tour, call the Jackson Ski Foundation at (603) 383-9355 or e-mail the Touring Center at [email protected].
Lastly, some of the country’s finest college Nordic skiers will be competing in Jackson during the NCAA National Collegiate Cross Country Ski Championships, to be held March 7-9, 2007. This is the third time that Jackson has hosted this prestigious event, featuring 78 of the top cross country collegiate skiers in the United States. The competition was held previously in Jackson both in 1984 and 1995. The Alpine ski events will be held at nearby Attitash Mountain, in Bartlett New Hampshire. Spectators are encouraged to attend the races, which provide exceptional access and viewing opportunities to the public.
The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is a community based not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization chartered to maintain trails in and around the village of Jackson, New Hampshire. The “Foundation” maintains 156+ km of trails, with state of the art grooming on trails designed to suit every taste and ability level. The Foundation operates under a Special-Use Permit with the White Mountain National Forest, and with the cooperation of 82 private landowners, and the town of Jackson. Detailed information about trails, rates, programs, events, clinics and more can be found at the Foundation web site at www.jacksonxc.org. Further information can also be obtained by calling 603-383-9355 or 1-800-X-C-SNOWS (1-800-927-6697).