Over the past few days, the Marquette and Ironwood areas have had further melting which would make putting together quality race courses in either area relatively difficult.  However, the Houghton area has held up very well and the recently renovated MTU trails are in excellent shape this spring. There is significant base and they are running their bombardier groomer on a regular basis.  

Given these circumstances, the Marquette General Health Systems Organizing Committee has decided that rather than work tirelessly to piece together courses as planned, it is best to relocate the races to MTU to allow all competitors a high quality racing experience on the substantial snow in the Keewenaw Peninsula. This should not pose anybody major inconveniences, but will provide each racer with optimal racing conditions. 

Unfortunately, Mother Nature has not smiled upon Marquette and Ironwood this spring.  But, this will allow you an opportunity to ski on some of the finest new courses in the USA's Central Region.  Come put your toes on the line with the outstanding competition these races will provide, go for the more than $7,000 in prize money, and take advantage of everything that Houghton and the MGHS Spring Series have to offer. 

-Race Director Joe Haggenmiller

This is a wonderful event which offers us a chance to watch and ski with members of the U.S. and Canadian national teams as well as a couple of members of the Norwegian team (hopefully).  It also offers us a chance to show our trails to these skiers and their coaches, etc.  Races will begin this Saturday (3/29) and will continue through next Saturday (4/5).

This is a great opportunity but it will require a significant amount of work to pull off.  Volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks on both race and non-race days.  If you'd like to volunteer to help, contact Doug Oppliger (oppliger@mtu.edu, 487-2514 (w), 482-9669 (h)).

Meanwhile, we have suspended grooming at MTU to conserve to base we have.  If you want to ski, I suggest you wait until a little later in the morning when the snow softens.   We will begin grooming on Friday or when we get significant snow.

-Mike Abbott