Dave Duncanson Memorial Jackson Ski Touring Groomed Trail Challenge Feb. 15
The Jackson Ski Touring Center can groom over 90 km of sprawling trails through the White Mountains. Generally, it’s an accomplishment for most to ski them all in the course of season, a month or maybe a week. But on Saturday, Feb. 15 Jackson XC wants to know how much you can ski in a day.
The Dave Duncanson Jackson Groomed Trail Challenge is open to any skier looking to see just how many of Jackson XC’s finely groomed trials they can handle in an 11-hour period. In its fourth year, the Challenge is named in memory after Dave Duncanson who, in 2011 at 58-years old, completed all the groomed trails skiing 115 km in the process.
“This is a great way for skiers to experience different trails and terrain they may not normally,” said Thom Perkins, Executive Director of the Jackson Ski Touring Center. “While skiers are challenged to complete as many trails as they can in a day, they can always come back and keep accumulating mileage over the course of the season, or even in the years to come. The main idea is to get out there, enjoy the excellent conditions and have a great time.”
For the cost of $15 (plus the cost of the trail pass) individuals or teams of two can register, beginning at 6 a.m., the morning of the competition. It will be left up to competitors how they want to pursue the task of covering as much of Jackson’s available groomed trails as possible, while adhering to the rules set by the Jackson Ski Touring Center.
Starting anywhere they choose, skiers will have to navigate Jackson’s groomed trail surfaces, which will be the only trails that count. If a trail has loops, both sides of the loop must be skied to count towards the total. If a trail dead ends, only one-way (out or back) is counted.
The amount and location of grooming will be determined by conditions. The selection and amount of groomed trails is the responsibility of the Jackson Ski Touring Center’s staff. A list of qualifying groomed trails and a highlighted trail map will be available the morning of the event and updated as necessary during the day.
For the latest snow conditions and more information, guests can call 1-800-XC-SNOWS or visit www.jacksonxc.org.
The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is a community based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, chartered to maintain trails in and around the charming Village of Jackson, NH. The “Foundation” maintains 150 km of varied and breathtaking cross country ski and snowshoe trails 2 hours north of Boston. Foundation trails connect with A.M.C. trails in Pinkham Notch and White Mountain National Forest backcountry adventure trails. The Foundation operates under a Special-Use Permit with the White Mountain National Forest, and with the cooperation of 75 private landowners, and the Village of Jackson. More information about the Foundation and its offerings can be found on the web at www.jacksonxc.org.
