ASJ Staff
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The Great Ski Race
March 4 โ€ข Tahoe City to Truckee

Photo: Troy Corliss

The Great Ski Race is the main fund raising event for the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team, a non-profit all-volunteer organization. Team members, along with community supporters, organize The Great Ski Race, which continues to be one of the largest Nordic ski races west of the Mississippi.

The 30-kilometer (18.43-mile) course begins at Lake Tahoe, climbs out of the Tahoe Basin over Starratt Pass, and heads to historic Truckee on a long downhill run along Sawtooth Ridge. It covers magnificent terrain and offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. Panoramic views of Squaw Valley and the Sierra Crest are seen from the top of the course just before an exhilarating downhill run. You’ll get the race and all of the fun, snacks, and laughs for $60 ($25 for young ones)!

Race proceeds are used primarily to purchase equipment for the Team, and to support winter survival and avalanche education programs sponsored and conducted by the Team.

2/1 UPDATE: The question on everyones mind this year is … will there be enough snow? !! As most Nordic skiers are aware, this has been a very bleak winter and as it stands right now it would not be possible to hold The Great Ski Race. However, the race organizers โ€” the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team โ€” are hoping for a miracle in the last two weeks of February and are going to wait until Monday, February 19th to see the final weather predictions up to race day and then decide whether to proceed with the race.
Normally, there would be a price increase on February 19, butย the race price will remain the same ($60) until February 25 at midnight, if the race is a go. If organizers decide to cancel the race, they will be throwing a party at Tahoe XC on March 4 with music by The Blues Monsters , food by Men Wielding Fire and beer by Sierra Nevada Brewing. There will be no fee to enter the party, but donations will be greatly appreciated for The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team.
2/21 UPDATE: Organizers have cancelled The Great Ski Race for 2018 due to lack of snow and the disappointing snow forecasts for the next few weeks. They invite you to join the Tahoe Nordicย Search and Rescue Team (TNSAR) for a community event that we’re planning forย March 4thย at Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area (Tahoe XC). The details are still being worked out;ย here’s what is have lined up so far:

  • Live Music by The Blues Monsters fromย 1:30 to 3:00 pm
  • Food from Men Wielding Fire will be available for purchase starting atย 12 noon
  • Beer by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Donations to TNSAR are greatly appreciated.

Visitย thegreatskirace.comย and The Great Ski Race Facebook page for the most current details and eventย information. Thank you for your interest in our long-standing tradition of The Great Ski Race and for supporting the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team.

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