Cross-country Ski - White Pass Nordic Center

PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE.   We plan to ski the Lake Loop, Kendall Konnector, Dark Meadows, North and South Loops, Dark Meadows Loop, and return via Zig Zag, Heathersone, the Dog Lake Loop and Deer Creek Loop. Route may vary according to conditions, grooming and group needs or preferences. Be sure to pack a lunch. Pay attention to your Ten Essentials, and don't forget sun protection.  This is not a trip for novices.  It is not intended as an instructional trip, although you might learn something.  You should have the basic skills taught on The Mountaineers Basic Cross Country Course field trips, including an efficient classic Nordic (diagonal) stride to handle the distance, a strong snowplow to keep speed under control on down hills, ability to do snowplow turns, herringbone for  uphills, and sidestep and sideslip for steep up- and down-hill bits. 

We are hoping to ski between 9 and 12 miles. An efficient classic stride is important for going the distance. We will ski at a pace at which the group can stay together. We will not be skate skiing.  The set tracks are 75mm wide. Use touring skis with a width of 70mm or less; wider skis won't work well in the set tracks.  The rental shop should be open, and there may be some good deals on used rental equipment. These trails are a mix of green (easy) and blue (more difficult). Grades range from flat to easy to moderate.  White Pass has been offering a "customer appreciation" week of grooming with no trail fee after the regular season.  In recent years this has been in early April.  If that comes early this year, we may ski free, but rental shop will be closed.

White Pass Nordic Center's web address is: https://skiwhitepass.com/the-mountain/nordic-center.  Trail map, snow and trail conditions and weather reports are available on their site.

This is an adult activity.  Youths age 14 and older who have good advanced beginner or better skills may be registered by a parent or guardian who also registers for the activity and who will be primarily responsible for them.  These youths must be enrolled Mountaineers family members with liability release  and youth and family forms, including the youth participating in adult programs form, on file.  The primary leader is a Qualified Youth Leader.  Other interested skiers who are QYLs are encouraged to register as assistant leaders or participants. 

Parents or guardians wishing to register youths should be familiar with The Mountaineers' "Board Policy - Youth and Family - 2023" (www.mountaineers.org/about/vision-leadership/board-of-directors/board-policies/youth-family/view), and the "Family Activities Handbook - 2021-2022" (www.mountaineers.org/youth/resources-faqs/youth-handbooks/family-activities-handbook/view). 

Please contact leader with any questions about registration, the route, equipment, clothing, or whether this trip is right for you, or your youths.

9:00 a.m. in front of XC ski-rental yurt at White Pass Nordic area, skis and packs on, ready to ski.  Trail pass is $33.  No charge for parking.  Leader will post a meet-up place in Olympia area for carpooling or caravanning closer to trip date.   Participants are encouraged to carpool to White Pass. The drive is about 125 miles and takes about 2 1/2 hours each way in good conditions. For info on carpooling, please see: https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/how-to-opt-in-for-carpooling

More information will be emailed to registered participants before trip.