Inside Edge: Schweitzer expanding available terrain

Slowly, but surely, Schweitzer is getting snow and expanding the available terrain. We aren’t out of (or into depending on your preferences) the woods yet.

World Cup Update — The World Cup continues its totally European schedule. North American athletes didn’t get their normal six weeks home in November/December, so it’ll be a long separation from family. That sure hasn’t slowed them down!

The ladies went to Val-d'Isère for speed and performed really well. Breezy Johnson, who skis with a reckless, “go for it” attitude reminiscent of Picabo Street, had a great week earning her first two WC podiums with bronze medals in the two downhills. Keely Cashman finished a strong 17th with Jacqueline Wiles close behind in 23rd in the first downhill. Cashman and Wiles were in the points again for the second race, moving up to 16th and 18th. Cashman kept the throttle down and scored her first top ten finish the following day, with 10th in Super G.

The men had a good week as well. Ryan Cochran-Seigle finished 8th in Super G at Val Gardenia. Jared Goldberg and Travis Ganong were 23rd and 25th respectively. Cochran Seigle wasn’t done, cranking it up and winning the Silver medal in downhill. Bryce Bennett narrowly missed the podium, in fourth, followed closely by Jared Goldberg in 6th place. Just across the valley at Alta Badia, Tommy Ford continued his excellent season with a 5Giant Slalom 5th place, followed by River Radamus in 20th and Ted Ligety in 26th. The team will now take a well deserved Christmas break… on the road.

Sandpoint Nordic Club Update — XC ski race training and racing in a pandemic year definitely looks different from other years but it can still be highly competitive.  This past weekend the Sandpoint Nordic race team and their coaches skied a 5K time trial on the Schweitzer Mountain Nordic trails.  If any of you have been on these trails, you know they are not flat, in fact, many of the trails have some very challenging climbs. Finishing times for this first challenge of the season ranged from 14:37 to 21:15, an excellent first speed session. It’s important for a team that has been training together since May to have periodic time trials as well as races during the season. The next time trial the team will do will be an inter-squad competition with Mt Spokane Nordic on Dec 31. One of the great things about XC ski racing this season is that it is very conducive to COVID distancing protocols, of course for Sandpoint ski racers the goal is to stay way more than 6ft “ahead” of their competition! Early January, the race team will be joined by over 60 additional skiers who are set to participate in the after-school Sandpoint Nordic Recreation programs.  For more information on these programs visit www.sandpointnordic.com. 

Independence Junior Race Series – Registration continues for the race series. Again, a reminder… registration closes Jan. 1. We have a plan endorsed by the mountain for circumventing your COVID-19 concerns. Do bear in mind that racers will need face masks for times in the lift lines or riding the lifts. The first day (Friday, Jan. 8, 2021) will be a coached, “learn to race” clinic followed by timed runs through the NASTAR course. The following three Friday evenings (January 15, 22 and 29 will center on the race course, with coaching both in the gates and between runs. Each member of the winning team receives medals and everyone gets a neat T-shirt at the final party. The goal is having fun and making friends. A great deal at a very low price ($45), registration is limited to 80 kids, so act now! Registration forms are available at the Alpine Shop or contact Shep Snow at 208-290-6370.

Potpourri. Ski with Santa at Schweitzer Dec 23 and 24. Contact the Activity Center for details. Night skiing at Schweitzer begins Dec 26th. Any comments, recommendations or contributions to this column may be sent to Shep Snow by e-mail at shep@thesnowschool.com. Negative feedback should be sent to someone else.