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… and as we head toward the end of 2019, we hope you can find some time to enjoy the outdoors, whether you have snow or not. Everyone has their own reason for participating in our series of snowshoe races, but it’s probably fair to say that the one thing we have in common is we all have fun spending time outdoors – even during a part of the year when everyone else thinks we’re nuts for doing so!

Wherever your travels may take you this holiday season, we wish you all a safe, peaceful, and healthy holiday season. With luck and cooperation from Mother Nature we’ll see you on the trails in January 2020!

… the web minion must be bored or something (he hasn’t even tried to sneak away to see the new Star Wars movie!)

Anyway, we have information posted on an additional series race in mid February – the FRIGUS 5k/15k/marathon races at Moreau Lake State Park just north of Saratoga Springs, NY.

AND the list of non-series races has been renovated and updated. Looking up the current information for all of those races is very time consuming (there are currently 44 races on the list.) That’s time I’d rather be spending outdoors or getting some much-needed sleep. The new listing gives the name of the race with a link to the race website, as well as the part of the month (early, mid,late) when the race is usually held. If you’re interested in one of these races, you’ll need to do the work of looking up the most current race information. If you’re the RD of a race that isn’t on the list, or one that is and you’d like us to mention your race in an upcoming update, send the info along using the email addresses listed on the “contact us” page and we’ll do what we can.

by Laura Clark

Once more, Gore Ski Bowl and North Creek led the pack with our first snowshoe race of the season. It is so encouraging to begin each snowshoe cycle with an event that has a 90% chance of having snow due to their snow making capabilities.  But this year we were in for a special treat with the natural snow that enabled us to enjoy the woods loop.

The slightly less than 5K route consisted of 3 identical loops: the first introduces you to the terrain, the second gets you into a comfortable groove and the third enables you to plan your finishing strategy.  With four steep hills to negotiate during each segment, we not only got a challenging workout but the opportunity to test our gear and wardrobe selection over varied terrain.

A few days’ worth of rain had reduced the snow cover and it was weird to have to jump over parking lot puddles instead of skating on the usual ice.  But the snow on the mountain was groomed to sufficient firmness to facilitate smooth passage.  Best of all, halfway through it started to snow big, juicy flakes that  soon faded  once we descended the mountain on the way back home.  A magical, wintery Brigadoon!

To experience even More Gore, consider the Tuesday night series beginning January 14 where you circumnavigate a somewhat similar path on Nordic or skate skis or snowshoes with stars and electric lights to illuminate your path.  The atmosphere is similar to the Saratoga Stryders Camp Saratoga Summer Trail Race series, with $10 pay-at-the-door entry and unique raffle prizes: eggs from a local farmer who competes, scarves hand-knitted by an employee, Adirondack calendars, gear from the Gore ski shop and coupons from local shop owners—who are also there in person.  The same family-friendly crowd turns up week after week so there is the real possibility of making some good friends along the way.  The January 14 and February 18 dates are also part of our series.  For a virtual visit, try https://www.goremountain.com/events/ski-bowl-citizens-races

—  Laura Clark is an avid snowshoer, trail runner, XC skier, race director, 2017 World Snowshoe Federation Championship 70-99 Female Age Group winner, and 2018 National Championship Half Marathon 70-99 Female Age Group winner.

Up-to-date information, including online preregistration where available, is now posted for our January races – Get Rec’d, Gurney Lane, Gore Citizens’ Races #1 ,  Cock-a-Doodle-Shoe, Nor’East Night #1, and Mt Tom.

February race info for many of the races is also now updated – Nor’East 10k/half marathon, Saratoga Winterfest, Camp Saratoga, Gore Citizens’ Races #2 , and Hoot-Toot-&-Whistle . The others will follow as info becomes available.