New Events at the 2009 Yellowstone Ski Festival

Matthew Voisin · October 26, 2009

November 24 – 28, 2009 West Yellowstone, Montana

With a month to go before the 2009 Yellowstone Ski Festival, there are reports of four inches of snow on the South Plateau and more in the 7-day forecast for West Yellowstone. Overcast skies and dropping temperatures are setting the stage for a glorious ski season on the Rendezvous Ski Trails. The planning for the 2009 Yellowstone Ski Festival is in full swing. We would like to welcome back our old friends and invite new cross-country ski enthusiasts to the first Nordic Festival of the season. There is something for everyone and this year we are excited to announce many new additions!

NEW CLINIC! Sign up today for the one day Instructor’s Clinic designed for aspiring and current Nordic Ski Instructors. Topics covered will include Progression, Presentation, Movement Analysis (how to pick out what a skier is doing well and what they need to work on), and Exercises to develop the skiers skill set. This NEW clinic is open to anyone, no teaching experience necessary, and will be held on Wednesday November 25.

NEW RACE! In conjunction with USSA, West Yellowstone will host the first ever USSA SuperTour Sprint-Qualifier-Only Race. This classic technique race will be approximately 1.4km for men & women and will be held on Wednesday, November 25. This race is open to ALL skiers. Competitive racers have the chance to earn points & prize money and citizen racers can test their skills against the sport’s top athletes.

NEW FILMS! The Backcountry Film Festival is coming to West Yellowstone. The films highlight the fun and magic of our country’s winter backcountry. Enjoy the compelling and entertaining stories of backcountry, non-motorized recreation and environmental preservation. This is a fundraiser for the Winter Wildlands Alliance and the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation and will be presented by Freeheel and Wheel.

NEW EATS! On Tuesday night you will be tempted by the delicious aroma of fresh baked goodies at the first ever Yellowstone Ski Festival Dessert Auction. Yummy treats will be on the auction block and best of all, the funds raised will go to the West Yellowstone Expedition Yellowstone program (paid for by the Reid Sanders Memorial Fund). Save room for dessert and think ahead to Thanksgiving. This benefit is organized by Kelli Sanders and Melissa Alder of Freeheel and Wheel. Please contact them at 406-646-7744 for more information.

In addition to the fresh events above, don’t forget about your favorites. We are welcoming back all of the major ski manufacturers as well as a few new companies to the largest On-Snow Nordic Gear Demo and Indoor Nordic Expo. The Yellowstone Ski Festival is offering six different races for competitive skiers in 2009 and the Nordic clinics will present five, three, & one day courses including a women’s only and junior racing option.

ACT NOW! Discount November Trail Passes are available until October 31, 2009. Order yours today and save over 20% off a month pass. Book your lodging now for the best availability. Many hotels, motels, condos, and houses are still available over Thanksgiving week. Contact the chamber for a list of properties. Reserve your seat on the Bozeman Shuttle. If you are flying into Bozeman and do not want to rent a car, let Karst Stage do the driving. Register for a clinic. Many of the popular clinics will fill on a first come first served basis, so mail in your registration today!

For more information about all the events at the Yellowstone Ski Festival visit our website at www.yellowstoneskifestival.com. This site is being updated daily, so check back often. Further questions can be addressed to Sara Hoovler at 406-599-4465 or info@yellowstoneskifestival.com

See you this November on the snow in West Yellowstone!

Group ski at Yellowstone Ski Festival