Bob Dion’s snow reports started out positive and have only become more so. Hoot Toot & Whistle is the 4th oldest race in our series and has seen everything from deep snow to ice to cancellation due to no snow, so this is the year to be there. The weather is supposed to be great and the scenery along the course is gorgeous.

Race check-in is at the Readsboro School in Readsboro VT from 9-10 AM. Race start is at 10:30 AM at the Catamount Trail trailhead on VT 100, about 0.8  miles from the school. Be sure to leave plenty of time to either catch the shuttle to the start or walk/run to the start.

Afterwards, the shuttles will be running to take people back to the school, or walk/run back.

Print a copy of the registration form ahead of time to save time that morning. All the race info can be found here.

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow’s (2/18) race at Gore has been postponed for a week, to Tuesday 2/25. All other information remains the same.

Tuesday evening (yes, Tuesday evening!) brings the 6th week of the Gore Nordic Citizens’ Races, and the 2nd time it’s a series race this season. Start time is 6 PM and distance is a little less than 5k, made up of 4 rolling loops which are shared with both classic and skate skiiers. It’s also possible to stop early but only 4 loop finishers get series points. Arrive at the Gore Nordic Ski Bowl (not Gore Mountain Ski Area!) by 5:30 to get checked in and purchase a $12 trail pass. Many prizes awarded at the raffle afterwards. All the info can be found here.

Looking ahead to next weekend – the 4th oldest race in the series and a favorite for many, the Hoot Toot & Whistle 5k in Readsboro VT, organized by the guy who puts the DION in DION snowshoes. A more detailed reminder including (hopefully) snow conditions will appear later this week.

Saturday you have a choice –

The Brave the Blizzard 5k will be held at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland, with race start at 10 AM. This year there will once again only be one distance and it will be within the park (no golf course.) The likelihood is a trail race with traction assistance highly recommended, but bring snowshoes just in case Tawasentha surprises us with a little winter magic. Cost is $20, online registration or day of.

The Frigus 5k/15k/marathon will be held at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort. They’re reporting good snow conditions as of yesterday when the 5k course was marked. Check the race info page for early packet pickup and day-of check-in, which will also include last minute registrations. Race start is at 8 AM.

Sunday there’s only one set of races, the Stone Bridge Caveman 6k & 15k EXTREME at Natural Stone Bridge & Caves Park in Pottersville, NY, with race start at 10:30 AM. Register online beforehand or day of that morning. The RD reported in this evening and said the conditions are the best they’ve ever been, so Sunday is definitely a snowshoe race.

Looking ahead to Tuesday 2/18, Gore Nordic Citizens’ Race #6 is a part of our series. I’ll post more details for that race on Sunday.