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2011 Sierra Ski-Orienteering Championships

Day 3 – Tahoe Donner Cross Country

Date: (Tue.) Feb. 1, 2011
Location: Truckee, CA
Event Director: - 650.793.8764
Course Setters: Denise Kowal, Bob Baylor
Type: Ski-O; Day 3 of the 2011 Sierra Ski-Orienteering Championships

Please note that fees and time limits apply, unless otherwise mentioned below. Events are typically not canceled due to bad weather.


Denise Kowal has finished designing the White, Orange, Green, Red, and Blue courses. All the courses offer lots of route choices. The White course stays low on the beginner trails and has a little extra length. The Orange course has a little hill climbing with some interesting route selections. The advanced courses will test both the physical and navigational capabilities of our skiers (our most physical courses for this week), yet they have less climb than last year. The Green and Red courses are physical, but definitely easier (physically) than last year. The Blue course will definitely separate the winners from anyone who is not in good racing form.

Note: At least one advanced course includes at least one very steep leg, but it has alternatives. One of the alternatives is to remove your skis so long as you carry them with you at all times while doing your course (this is allowed for by U.S. and international ski-O competitions). As for the other alternatives, see your map.

   Course    Optimal Trail Route    Airline Route    Climb
   White            4.5 km              3.2 km        25 m
   Orange           6.0 km              4.3 km        65 m
   Green            7.4 km              4.9 km       170 m
   Red             10.2 km              8.0 km       240 m
   Blue            15.0 km              9.1 km       355 m

Remember: If you choose to ski off the groomed trails, you do so at your own risk. Read your map carefully before going off-trail. For most skiers, it is advantageous to go off-trail when the terrain is flat or slightly downhill.

Driving Directions

  1. From I-80 exit into Truckee (about 100 miles east of Sacramento) at Exit 184.
  2. Turn left onto Donner Pass Road and go 0.5 mile to Northwoods Blvd (signal).
  3. Turn left onto Northwoods and go about three miles to Fjord Road (you'll see a sign for the cross country area before you reach the road).
  4. Turn right onto Fjord and go less than 0.1 mile to Alder Creek Road.
  5. Turn left onto Alder Creek and go about 0.5 mile to the cross country parking area on the left.

If the parking lot is full, park along the street. Registration/check-in is in the main building — go upstairs.

There's a map here that shows the location of the event.