Calling All Nordic Skiers to the Rendezvous Ski Race

Calling all Nordic skiers nationwide! Join us on Saturday, March 7th, 2009 for the 30th Annual Rendezvous Ski Race. The boom of the cannon will send hundreds of skiers off to the races in West Yellowstone, Montana. Challenge yourself on our famed Rendezvous Ski Trails with the 50k, 25k, 10k, 5k, or 2k events.

In honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race, we have invited all previous 50k winners to return. If you have been to the Rendezvous Race in the past, return for an on-snow reunion, see old pals, ski all day, and savor the delicious desserts at the awards ceremony. If this is your first time, you will be rewarded with incredible skiing, great camaraderie, and the satisfaction of completing the infamous Rendezvous Race.

The 2009 Yellowstone Rendezvous Race will once again be part of the American Ski Marathon Series. Races in the ASM series highlight long distance ski events throughout the country. This is North America’s longest-running and largest citizen’s racing series. That’s right, we are talking about citizen skiers like you and I. In the past, the race has attracted over 800 skiers and we are hoping to top that this coming year. In the 2008 race, Barry Makarewicz won the Men’s 50K with a time of 2:28:19 while Shayla Swanson won the Women’s 50K with a time of 2:40:00. In the Men’s 25K Chris Humbert won with a time of 1:15:46 and in the Women’s 25K Tamsen Pruzan won with a time of 1:25:29. Erk Andersont crossed the finish line first for the Men’s 25 K Classic race with a time of 1:28:45 and Kelly Milligan won the Women’s 25 K Classic with at time of 1:36:55.

Bring the whole family. Cross-country skiing is a lifelong sport and it doesn’t hurt to start early. We welcome kids 13 and older to ski the 10k or 25k courses. The tweeners (aged 9-15) will challenge each other on the 5k course. See the youngsters under 9 smile all the way around the two-kilometer loop. Spend the night and come out for the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation (WYSEF) Youth Ski Festival on Sunday. All kids 13 and younger can don a bib and participate in fun filled activities such as the obstacle course, relay race, and radar run. Remember the racers will be on skis and this event ends up being fun for the whole family.

Make the Rendezvous Race a true ski vacation. Yellowstone National Park is scheduled to remain open to snowcoach and snowmobile tours until March 15, 2009. Reserve a trip into our first national park with our partners at Xanterra, Yellowstone Alpen Guides, Yellowstone Vacations, the Holiday Inn, or the Days Inn. If you have not seen Yellowstone in the winter, now is the time. Snow covered trails are begging for you to kick and glide over them. Buffalo, elk, geysers, and hot pots abound. Don’t forget your camera. This is an experience you will want to brag about all year.

Early registration deadlines are closing soon. The entry fee includes participation in the race, a long-sleeved t-shirt, bail-out shuttles along the course, aid stations, finish area food and refreshments, race souvenirs, promotional materials, admission to the awards ceremony and don’t forget dessert. To register for the 30th Annual Rendezvous Race or for more information, please go to www.rendezvousrace.com. See you on the Rendezvous Ski Trails March 7, 2009!