Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s Cross-Country, Telemark and Snowshoe Center Steps up Events and Overall Nordic Offering

This season, Northstar Resort’s Cross-Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center is introducing new events, continuing those that have become tradition, offering all new Rossignol equipment rentals and showcasing some recent improvements to its biathlon range –  the only permanent biathlon range on the West Coast.

Featured Events

Snowshoe Social and Running Race Series – December 18, January 23 & February 12

This snowshoe series was designed for people of all ages, from athletes, to families and friends interested in getting outside to recreate.  Designed by Peter Fain, Atlas Snowshoe Racing team member, the 5k and 10k courses feature a rolling trail that incorporates groomed and ungroomed single-track sections. Monetary prices will be awarded to the top three men’s and women’s finishers in each 10k race, and product prices will be given to the top three men and women in the 5k race. A celebration with awards, raffle and lunch will follow each event.

Interested participants can sign up for the series or for individual events. The cost to participate is $70 for the series, or $30 for each event. Participation for kids ages 12 and under is $15 for each event. The January event will be a point-to-point half marathon (Tahoe Rim Tour Race), and the final event in February will benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (participants dogs on a leash will be welcome). Atlas snowshoes, including performance snowshoes, will be available for rent.

New Stargazing Snowshoe Tours – December 30, January 8 & February 14

Building on the success of its summer stargazing tours, this winter Northstar Resort will for the first time, partner with star guide and poet, Tony Berendsen, President of the Nevada Science Coalition on a stargazing snowshoe tour. Tours are suited for guests of all ages and will feature a guided snowshoe walk paired with a tour across the night sky complete with telescopic viewing. The cost to participate is $50 for ages 13+ and $30 for kids 12 and under. Snowshoe rentals are available for just $5. All tours will begin at 5 p.m. and will depart from the Cross-Country Ski, Telemark & Snowshoe Center, and dogs on leash are welcome. Reservations are recommended.

Nordic Super Tour – March 18

For the first time, Northstar Resort will serve as host to a Nordic SuperTour event, the premiere cross-country race series in North America. A spectator friendly event starting and finishing in the Village at Northstar, this cross-country race will have participants striding or skating up the mountain. Open to all ages, the course distance will be approximately 1-1.5k.

Moonlight Snowshoe Tours

Offered twice a month from December through March, Northstar Resort’s Moonlight Snowshoe Tours have become a popular winter season tradition among resort guests. Featuring a guided snowshoe walk while the moon rises, s’mores over a bonfire, live acoustic music, hot cocoa and more, Moonlight Snowshoe Tours are geared toward guests ages 10+. Tickets are $40 for ages 13+ and $25 for ages 10-12. Reservations are recommended.

Biathlon Range

This year, Northstar Resort will continue to offer the only permanent biathlon range on the West Coast, and has purchased new rifles for use on the range. For those unfamiliar with biathlon, participants ski around a cross-country track that is broken up into two or four shooting rounds. Those who want to learn the ins and outs of biathlon can take a private 2.5 hour lesson with former US Olympic team biathlete Glenn Jobe at Northstar Resort this winter.

The first part of the lesson involves a clinic on dry firing where participants learn the safety techniques and mechanics of the 12 steps of firing a gun. The second part of the lesson involves cross-country, skate skiing or snowshoeing on the trail system where the targets are set up. For those cross-country or skate skiing, an intermediate level of skill is required.

Biathlon clinics will be held December 17, January 14 (for women hosted by LUNA Chix), February 25 (Juniors) and March 11, with open range days scheduled throughout the season. A biathlon race that is open to the public takes place on January 8-9 as part of the 10th Mountain Division’s Biathlon Pre-Comp Clinic and Race. Interested participants must be ages 13 or older to sign up for lessons, which are offered by reservation only (reservations required 48 hours in advance), Monday through Friday, non-holiday. The cost to participate in a 2.5 hour private lesson is $299 for the first person, and $50 for each additional person (up to three additional people).

Geocaching Treasure Hunt – Fun for All Ages

For those interested in participating in an on-mountain treasure hunt, four snowshoe and four cross-country ski-oriented caches are positioned throughout the cross-country trail network, ranging from easy to difficult. Caches include prizes such as resort gift cards and other items, with the value based on the difficulty of the cache. Two kid-friendly caches are also stashed, containing kid-friendly prizes. Cache coordinates and rental Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are available at the Cross-Country, Telemark and Snowshoe Center.

The Cross-Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center is located at mid-mountain, to the left of the Vista Express Chairlift. Trail passes are available for just $25 at the Season Pass & Tickets Office in the Village at Northstar, and must be purchased before riding the Gondola. Northstar Resort’s cross-country trail system features warming huts and scenic picnic sites with views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. Adventurers are encouraged to pack a lunch or pick up some gourmet picnic items in the Village at Northstar. A limited selection of food and beverage items is also available at the Cross-Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center.

For more information about upcoming Cross-Country, Telemark and snowshoe events and activities, or to make a reservation, call 530.562.3270 or visit www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com.

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