January 03, 2012 (West Yellowstone, MT) – The Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, Mont. are in great shape with the entire trail system groomed for both skate and classic skiing. Elevation and natural snowfall have been our friends this season, and skiers here have been spoiled with fantastic, mid-winter conditions all season.

Make plans now to enjoy some of the best skiing in the world, and mark your calendars for the 33rd annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race, on March 3, 2012, sponsored by Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

The Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is a cornerstone of cross-country skiing in West Yellowstone, and is part of the American Ski Marathon Series. There are six different races offered for skiers of all ages. Marathoners can enter the 50 kilometer freestyle race, which consists of two laps around the perimeter of the Rendezvous Ski Trail system. Racers can enter the 25 kilometer events under classic or freestyle technique, with the 10k as a great choice for those preferring a shorter distance. The 5k and 2k races are geared for kids… bring the whole family!

The Rendezvous Race is a fun, festive event in a unique location. The camaraderie at the start is evident and follows racers along the course. To support racers in the 25 or 50k division, local community groups staff feed stations along the trails, and the theme this year is “Pirates”. Look for eye patches, hooks, hats, and of course, treasure. Bragging rights are on the line. Racers vote for their favorite feed station and the winners gloat for the rest of the year.

For most skiers, crossing the finish line is the goal. The fastest skiers will be rewarded with medals and cash prizes at the awards ceremony on Saturday evening. All racers are invited to treat themselves to the complimentary desert bar at the Holiday Inn after the race.

For more information, please visit www.rendezvousrace.com.

March 01, 2011 (West Yellowstone, MT) – The 32nd annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race will be held on March 5, 2011. Local legend, Nordic shop owner, and member of the race organizing committee, Kelli Sanders, invites all skiers to join her on race day. Sanders was asked to describe the course and here is what she said.

– Start- Listen for the boom of the cannon and it is race on.
– 1k- All out, it is flat and wide open.
– 2k- The terrain is rolling. Anticipate the first steady climb followed by a short herringbone hill.
– 3 to 5k- Enjoy the gentle terrain with a long easy downhill that rolls into the first feed station.
– 5k, 1st feed. – Thank you to the volunteers from the Forest Service manning the station.
– 5 to 7k- Continue gentle terrain with a horseshoe bend.
– 8 to 9k- Expect a couple of short hills with button hook turns.
– 10k- Go fast down the long descend.
– 11k- What a sight. It is a gradual long climb with open views.
– 12k- Bob up and down and look around. The scenery is beautiful in this stretch. Roll up to second feed station.
– 12k, 2nd feed.– Look for volunteers from the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation and other local groups.
– 13 to 14k- Brace for the long climb back up to Dead Dog.
– 15 to 18k- Gradual downhill and rolling terrain to the 3rd feed station.
– 18k, 3rd feed. – The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce shows their support.
– 18k- Rolling up with little relief.
– 19k- Slow going at the longest/steepest climb of race course.
– 20 to 21k- Recover on this fun stretch over rolling terrain and enjoy the twists and turns.
– 22k- Last gradual long climb on the race course with a steep ‘S’ descent.
– 23 to 24k- Rolling into biathlon cabin area.
– 25k- Flat and wide open back to finish area for 25k or head under the arch for the second lap. 50k racers get to do it all again and will find the last feed station near the trailhead building.

After crossing the finish line, all skiers are invited to the Ambulance/Fire Station for the final feed. West Yellowstone Boy Scouts are on-hand to serve warm soup, drinks, and other snacks as skiers recover from the marathon. Stick around for the evening Awards Ceremony, complimentary dessert bar, raffle, and live music at the Holiday Inn.

Late registration is open until noon MST on Thursday, March 3rd. The extended weather forecast looks promising. It will be a great weekend to ski in West Yellowstone.
More info can be found at www.rendezvousrace.com

January 27, 2011 (West Yellowstone, MT) – The time is now to register for the annual marathon ski race in West Yellowstone. With a bit of luck, a season’s worth of long skis, interval training, and hill climbs will pay off when the boom of the cannon signals the start of the race.

The Yellowstone Rendezvous Race has been a cornerstone to cross-country skiing in West Yellowstone for over three decades. The race takes place on the Rendezvous Ski Trails, located on the southern edge of this small gateway community and the trailhead is within walking distance from most lodging properties.

The Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is considered a long distance event and is part of the American Ski Marathon Series. There are six different races offered for skiers of all ages. True marathoners can enter the 50 kilometer race, which consists of two laps around the perimeter of the Rendezvous Ski Trail system. Racers can enter the 25 kilometer events under classic or freestyle technique. The 10k race is open to skiers not ready for a long race, with the 5k and 2k races geared for kids. Registration for all races is currently available online at HERE.

To support racers in the 25 or 50k division, local community groups man five feed stations along the trails. The theme to the 2011 Rendezvous Race is “Lost in Space”. Look for lots of aluminum foil, pointy ears, and galaxy dust. Bragging rights are on the line. Racers vote for their favorite feed station and the winners gloat for the rest of the year.

As the name implies, West Yellowstone sits at the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park, which is open to over-snow vehicles until March 15, 2011. Visitors are encouraged to extend their stay and truly enjoy a winter wonderland that is unlike any other place. Whether it is skiing or sight-seeing, West Yellowstone is the home base for winter fun. There is no other place in the world where you can spend one day racing on 25 kilometers of professionally groomed trails and the next day see bison grazing next to hot springs or bald eagles soaring past geysers. The skiing options in and around West Yellowstone are not limited to the Rendezvous Ski Trails. Multiple snowcoach companies offer ski tours around Old Faithful, a skier led track will take you from the western boundary of town to the Madison River just inside the Park, or a short drive will find many trailheads for those interested in a light backcountry tour of Yellowstone National Park or the Gallatin National Forest.

The Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is a fun, festive event in a unique location. The camaraderie at the start is evident and follows racers along the course. For most skiers, crossing the finish line is the goal. The fastest skiers will be rewarded with medals and cash prizes at the awards ceremony on Saturday evening. All racers are invited to treat themselves to the complimentary desert bar at the Holiday Inn after the race.

The Rendezvous Ski Trails are in great shape and the entire trail system is groomed with both a skate lane and classic track. With three feet of groomed packed powder on the ground and more on the way, there is no reason not to expect perfect corduroy for next month’s event.

There is still time to sign up for the Rendezvous Race. Register before February 1 to avoid late fees and all registrations will be closed promptly at noon on Thursday, March 3. For more information, go to www.rendezvousrace.com. End your race season with a bang at the 32nd Annual Rendezvous Race.

Stay in touch by becoming Rendezvous Race’s Facebook friend or email race organizers at yellrendrace@yahoo.com with any questions.