Ice Rink Dedication

Winthrop's award-winning Ice Rink was officially dedicated December 28th. Mark Robertson gave a touching history of ice skating in the valley and recognized all the individuals that have made this public facility so incredible. Hundreds of locals and visitors turned out for the event. The ice rink is open everyday and the schedule of skating events can be found here. Thank you to everyone who helped make this outdoor sports complex a reality!

2008 Ski Rodeo Photos

Thank you to all our sponsors, especially our presenting sponsor Nordic Ultratune, for a great 2008 Rodeo. See you in a couple of weeks for our MVSTA Pursuit January 10 and 11th.

World Cup Recommendations

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and is now anxiously awaiting the Ski Rodeo on Saturday. We ran into Mark and Margaret Waechter, of Nordic Ultratune stepping out from their back door onto the trail Christmas morn to test the Rodeo race course. We had a great ski and the course is race ready. Mark has posted his wax recommendations for the race here. Be sure to check it again early Saturday morning before the race as well. Mark will be at the start area Saturday morning and if you have ever met a World Cup Wax Technician you know they don't just come to watch. As the Ski Rodeo presenting sponsor, Mark might just have more than wax recommendations to dispense race morning. Come early to check it out!

Winning is everything....

...or maybe not? At the Ski Rodeo on Saturday we are going to celebrate the winners but we also are going to celebrate everything that skiing means to you and your family. Nordic Ultratune will be awarding the middle of the pack skier with a Nordic Ultratune grind and wax and everyone will be eligible for fabulous prizes from Nordic Utratune, Toko, Winthrop Mountain Sports, Old School House Brewery and others. Don't forget the new 5K chariot/pulk division...will it be our largest field? Finally you are welcome to wear a fun hat or dress up in any way you want. Let's make it fun for the spectators too.

Ahhhh, Coffee

We love coffee! What skier doesn't? The Methow Valley is blessed with a number of fabulous coffee roasters. One in particular that we enjoy is Mukilteo Coffee. Gary and Beth Smith, owners of Mukilteo Coffee have been huge supporters of MVSTA. For years they have been naming a variety of their coffee roasts after ski and bike trails in the Methow Valley and donating a $1 per bag to MVSTA. If you haven't had the opportunity to try their coffee we will be serving it at all the MVSTA ski events this winter. Savor the coffee named after your favorite ski trail and please, support Mukilteo Coffee which in turn supports MVSTA.

Profile on Sam Naney, MVSTA Ski Ambassador

This year represents a renaissance of sorts for me; after two years of struggling training and racing I have completed a very successful dryland training season under my coach, Scott Johnston. My primary goal lies in a strong result at US Nationals, especially in the sprint competition. Following that I am looking towards qualifying for the Pre-Olympic World Cup at Callaghan Valley, B.C., and to garner some top results in the later season SuperTour competitions in the Midwest and New England. I take great pride in being MVSTA's and the Methow's representative on the professional circuit and hope to do the valley proud by my accomplishments!

Jack frost nipping at your nose

...and at our toes. It is a toe warmer day but the sun is out and we have snow! The cold isn't stopping people from enjoying the groomed trails at Sun Mountain and Kilpchuck. These women were first on the trails this morning, but they had to be. The woman second from left is getting married at 4:30pm this afternoon at Sun Mountain! Congratulations to her and to everyone who is out enjoying the trails.

Operators are standing by

We are wishin', hopin', and prayin' it will snow this week. James and the grooming crew are ready for when Jay yells "GO". A cold front is headed to the valley on Friday with a strong chance of snow....or at least a stronger chance of snow. Washington Pass did receive 8 inches of snow yesterday so good skiing continues just a few miles up the road.

Meanwhile while we wait, enjoy some good videos of our favorite MVSTA events with the links to the right.

The BIG day is coming

That very special day in December is almost here! The day when the whole family comes together to celebrate good tidings and good cheer. The day when everyone heads outside for some good winter fun and then goes back inside to enjoy hot drinks by the fire. That day is none other than SKI RODEO day December 27th. This year's event is sponsored by Ol' Saint Mark over at Nordic Ultratune. Here's a little holiday movie highlighting the fun of Ski Rodeo. (a shout out to Gary Harper for the cinematography and Brian "Spielberg" Drye for the editing)