December 30, 2010 (Pinkham Notch, NH) – Nordic Meisters, the largest weekly cross country ski race series in the country, will begin its sixteenth season on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at Great Glen Trails. Nordic Meisters is a fun race series for all ability levels with $5,000 in prizes available through a participation raffle.

Nordic Meisters is a weekly cross country ski race series that allows skiers to compete at their own pace. From serious racers to beginning skiers, Nordic Meisters has divisions and courses for all ages and abilities. In addition, Nordic Meisters uses a unique age adjustment system to calculate the final times, so all skiers can compete on a level playing field. Points are awarded based on the order of finish in each category. Competitors race against the clock on either the long (5k) or short (2.5k) Nordic Meister courses using either skate or classic technique. Racers may log their times between 9:00am and 3:45pm for eight weeks from Tuesday, January 4 through Tuesday, March 1. (No race on Tuesday, February 22.) Competitors that complete 6 out of 8 weeks are eligible for placement awards (top three in each category) and the end of season prize raffle, which features more than $5,000 in prizes. The awards party and raffle will be held on Saturday, March 12.

For those looking to just enjoy the camaraderie of the series, Nordic Meisters also features an un-timed division. Untimed competitors are still eligible for the prize raffle, if they complete 6 of the 8 weeks.

Not just for skiers, Nordic Meisters also features a snowshoe division. Like the skiers, the snowshoe racers will have two courses to choose from. The long course will be just over 3k, while the short course will be approximately 1k. The snowshoe division will not use the age adjustment system but will offer placement awards, and all snowshoers that complete 6 out of 8 weeks will be eligible for the prize raffle.

Results are posted weekly in the Conway Daily Sun and on the Great Glen Trails website.

For more information and registration, visit www.GreatGlenTrails.com.