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Royal Gorge Ski-O

Date: (Sun.) Feb. 5, 2006
Location: Soda Springs, CA
Event Director: - 650.793.8764
Course Setter: Brenda Giese
Type: Ski-O

Related Information

Last year's event 2006 Ski-O Championships

The Royal Gorge ski-O event is the third of four Sierra Ski-O Championship events for 2006. This event features five point-to-point courses, E-punching, and about 300 km of groomed track (only about a third will be utilized for this event). This event is open to skate skiers, classic (diagonal stride) skiers, and snowshoers. This is a great event for beginners, highly competitive skiers, and everyone in between. Beginner clinics are available on request for free.

Courses

You can do any of the following courses: 

  White   (beginner)      5.2km   85m  Beginner trails with easy route
                                       choices
  Orange  (intermediate)  7.0km  135m  Beginner and intermediate trails
                                       with semi complex route choices
  Green   (advanced)      9.0km  280m  Beginner, intermediate, and expert
                                       trails with complex route choices
  Red     (advanced)     11.0km  270m  Beginner, intermediate, and expert
                                       trails with complex route choices
  Blue    (advanced)     14.5km  515m  Beginner, intermediate, and expert
                                       trails with complex route choices

These courses are shorter than normal because we have two days of ski orienteering back to back and because some of the climbs are a little greater than usual. Thanks, however, to Brenda Giese's creativeness, these courses offer some interesting adventures and route choices. One course (blue) even ventures into a little used area. They should be a lot of fun.

If you compete alone (that is, not part of a group or team), your finish time earns points towards the 2006 Sierra Ski-Orienteering Championships. Beginning in 2006, you need to attend only one ski-O event to qualify for this championship, and your points for the championship are calculated by comparing your time to the winner of the class you compete in. No matter what course you want to use, there is a class for you to participate in, though some are considered fully competitive and others are considered less competitive. For more information, see the 2006 Sierra Ski-Orienteering Championships Web page or the article in the BAOC Bulletin.

Fees

We are still working out the details on registration fees. Here are the fees from last year, which might be slightly increased for this year. All registration is done on site – there is no pre-registration. 

                       Need     Have     Have    Additional
                       trail    season   2-day   for ski
                       pass     pass     pass    rental
                       ------   ------   -----   -------
  Adult  (17+ years)   $34.00   $10.00   $6.00   $19.50
  Junior (13-16)       $18.00    $5.00   $5.00   $10.50
  Child  (8-12)         $3.00    $3.00   $3.00   $10.50
  Child  (0-9)           Free     Free    Free   $10.50

Although you can compete as a member of a team, this event does not have special discounts for team members.

Weather Considerations

Remember to always bring chains. At a chain control you can often (but not always) avoid installing chains if you have a vehicle with all-wheel or 4-wheel drive AND snow tires. Winter driving conditions, even when it is not snowing, can mean driving on icy roads.

We are not expecting it to snow on Sunday though it will be cloudy (great skiing conditions). If you suspect there is severe weather and that the resort might close, call the ski resort (1-800-666-3871) to see if it is open. If it is open, we plan to be there starting orienteers.

Volunteer Opportunities

We need 1 spot filled for registration, one for E-punch, one for beginner clinics, and one for control pickup. All the other positions have been filled by other volunteers (thanks!!!). If you can help out, please let us know.

Driving Directions

To get to Royal Gorge Cross Country:

  1. Drive on Interstate-80 about 80 minutes east of Sacramento (15 minutes west of Truckee) to the Soda Springs/Norden exit.
    You can follow the signs to the Summit Station, or the directions that follow this step.
  2. Go straight through the village for about a mile to the first blinking light/stop sign.
  3. Turn right; go across the railroad tracks, past the Soda Springs Downhill Ski area on your right, up the small hill and to the second street on your right.
  4. Turn right, and follow the street about a half mile to the Royal Gorge parking lot.
  5. Park your car and go into the building to register.