Race Information

Thank you to all who skied, volunteered, and cheered on the racers!

2024 Results

The good news is that we are moving forward with a timed race on Saturday for all skiers, and feel very confident that we’ll make it to Saturday with enough snow to ski.  The slightly disappointing news is that we are changing all races to one 12k loop.   This means if you signed up for a 30k race, you’ll ski 12k.  And if you signed up for a 15k race, you’ll also ski 12k. You are welcome to stay all day and ski more once you finish your race and eat your pie, if you want to get some more distance in.  Please read on for important details about race changes.  

Conditions:  The base was still firm and solid yesterday, but it’s getting very thin in places and we are not confident that it will hold up to the wear and tear of two laps, especially on the downhills. You can see photos of the trails yesterday here, the coverage is good, but thin in spots, and a bit dirty. Today was warm, but it will be cold again starting tomorrow afternoon and we anticipate that the race conditions will be firm and fast.  We have crews ready to go out on Thursday night and Friday to patch thin areas, and we’ll also have some volunteers out on the course with shovels to throw snow on any problem areas DURING the race, if needed.   With the warm temps today we may have lost the existing tracks and the ability to set new tracks when we groom on Friday morning.  The skate deck should have good coverage for most of the race, with a few thin spots that you may need to avoid. 

Youth Races: The Middle School skiers will ski a 2k-3.5k loop, the exact route is TBA based on conditions on Friday. The HS Skiers will ski two laps of that course, so it will be 4k-7k, TBA.  

MCSA College Race: The college race will be a 12k Skate race.  There are three major reasons for this- 1) We lost too much snow at the transition zone, which is exposed to sun, and aren’t confident that we can have a clean and safe transition  2) we are concerned that we may not have tracks for the classic portion and 3) we are worried that course, especially the downhills, will not hold up to a second lap of 100 college racers.   College racers are welcome to opt into the citizen classic race if they prefer to ski classic, read below for more on the classic race.  Please email me directly to communicate that. 

30k and 15k Classic: Now a 12k “Classic” race, but please be aware that you may or may not have tracks. We will make an attempt to patch the thin spots and reset tracks on Friday.   Classic skiers should be prepared to step out of the tracks frequently, or ski the entire race on the skate deck.  Some of you may want to do this because you love classic skiing.  We will still give a pie to the overall male and female winners,  as well as age group awards for those hearty souls who are all-in on classic skiing!  Everyone registered for a classic race (15k or 30k) will start together.  You are welcome to switch to the skate race (recommended), email me or switch yourself online. 

30k and 15k Skate: Now 12k Skate.   We will start in 2 waves, so if you are signed up for the 30k skate that will be “wave 1” and the 15k stake will be “wave 2” in order to spread out the skiers on the course and avoid congestion. If you signed up for the 30k skate, but would like to be in “Wave 2” you can go in and change your registration to “15k skate” or email me and I can switch you.  

30k Skiathlon:  If you are registered for the 30k skiathlon I will switch you to the 12k skate.  You also have the option to do the12k classic race, and you can either email me or make the change yourself on the registration site by Friday.  

Race Changes:  You can change your registration on the online system to change techniques or opt into “Wave 2 Skate” by switching to the 15k skate.  Please make any changes by Friday evening.  You can also email me and I’ll switch you.  There is no charge for race changes.   https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Bayfield/ashwabaysummitskirace

Registration:  We bumped back the price increase to Friday, so if you know of anyone who is still planning to ski they can register for $55 online through Friday, or on Saturday morning until  9:30am for $65.  

Aid Station:  We will still have ONE aid station at the “Summit” with water (the top of the major climb).  

Schedule: The schedule and start times are mostly unchanged. See detailed schedule here: https://ashwabaysummitskirace.com/

Pie:  After the awards all skiers will get a piece of pie!  There is also food to purchase at the Cafe.  

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we modify our plans to respond to the changing conditions.  Although it’s a disappointment to shorten the race, we also feel so fortunate to have held onto enough snow to get you all out onto the trails and into the woods!   And we have an amazing team of volunteers who are working hard to make the event fun, safe, and enjoyable, alongside the staff of Mt. Ashwabay.  

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The current price is $55, and we’ll extend that price through Friday 2/2 (rather than increasing the price on 1/31 as planned. You can register the day of the race for $65.

Not skiing? Sign up to volunteer!

We are monitoring conditions and posting updates on the Course Conditions page.

Teams

The deadline for submitting rosters is January 30th, 2024 for all teams (College, HS/MS). On race day, please send a representative to the registration table (inside Chalet) with the payment and a signed waiver for each skier and pick up bibs for your team.

Middle(4th-8th grade) and High School Teams

Middle School will ski 3.5k Freestyle (skate or classic). High school will ski 7k Freestyle (skate or classic)

Youth Course Map, ski counter clockwise: (High School does 2 laps)

College Teams

The college teams will be scored in the 30k skiathalon (15k classic, 15k skate). College skiers may choose the 15k or 30k skate or classic instead. Any college skier who wish to ski a different race should indicate that on the roster.

  • $30 for college skiers
  • College teams fill out the roster that was emailed to coaches and captains, and all skiers sign the College waiver

Citizen Race Options (modified)

  • 30k Skiathlon (15k classic, 15k skate). 24k Skiatlon (12k classic, 12k skate) 12k Freestyle
  • 30k Classic 24k Classic 12k Classic
  • 30k Skate 24k Skate 12k Skate
  • 15k Classic 12k Skate
  • 15k Skate 12k Classic

The modified loop (12k) will go CLOCKWISE, out Abby Rd, up Anchor and Seagull, down Northern Lights, and return on Abby Rd. Refer to the map below for trail names. A new map will be available on race day.

The race course is a 15k loop, using the following trails: Abby Rd, Northern Lights, Jolly, Skid Road, The Buzz. All 30k races will complete 2 laps. There are two aid stations on the course with water only. Ski Counter Clockwise/

Event Schedule:  Saturday February 3,2024

8:00 AM Registration and Bib Pick Up Opens.

8:45 AM Opening Ceremony

9:00 AM – High School and Middle School Start

9:30 AM Registration Closes for College and Citizen Races

10:00 AM – College races start

10:10 AM – Citizen Races start

10:20 AM Middle School and High School Awards (or when results are ready)

11:30 AM College and Citizen Awards (or when results are ready)

Due to weather and/or course conditions, the start times may be adjusted, race distances changed, or the event cancelled. In the event of changes of cancelations, race registration fees will not be refunded.

2024 Race Start Times

  • 9:00     High School Start
  • 9:02   4th-8th grade Boys Start
  • 9:05 4th-8th grade Girls Start
  • 9:55 Time cutoff for youth races
  • 10:00    College Men Start
  • 10:05    College Women Start
  • 10:10    Skate “Wave 1”
  • 10:15 Skate “Wave 2”
  • 10:20    Classic

Awards

The overall male and female winners for each race and winning teams will receive a full pie. Age group winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) will receive age group awards. New for 2024, all finishers will receive a slice of pie, a custom Summit Race buff, and a coupon for a cup of coffee, courtesy of Full Keel Coffee.

THANK YOU TO OUR PIE SPONSORS!

  • Ashland Baking Company
  • CoCos Cafe
  • Harbor House Sweets
  • Northland College Food Center and Nordic Ski Club
  • SuperOne Foods

Timing/Results

Chip timing services by Duluth Timing and Events. 

Thank you to our race sponsors

PEAK SPONSORS

NORTHERN LIGHTS SPONSORS

Individual Sponsors

Donn and Ann Christensen

Megan and John Boyle