Racing Through Winter

A rundown of Bozeman's Nordic events.

Dig out your knickers, dust off your skis, and dig in—for a winter full of Nordic skiing. Bozeman is rapidly becoming one of the hottest Nordic ski destinations in the country, and with several local clubs, plus amazing locations like Crosscut, Sourdough, Hyalite, and Sunset Hills, it’s easy to see why.

Bridger Ski Foundation’s new snowmaking system at Sunset Hills means we are sure to have consistent skiing close to town this season. So, after a year of canceled events and solo missions, it is time to show off that spandex (or whatever you decide to wear) and bring the community back together again.

If you’re looking for a fun way to get the sweat going on skis, check out BSF’s four-part FUNSKI Community Race Series, which consists of a Santa Ski on December 8, the Bozeman Creek Hill Climb on January 8, the Lindley Loppet on January 19, and the Valentine’s Relay on February 16. These races are family-friendly (including shorter events for kids) and costumes are encouraged. bridgerskifoundation.org/funski.

If long-distance racing is your thing, you can register for the Soren Hartnett Legacy Race and Sacajawea Classic hosted by Crosscut Mountain Sports Center on January 22 and February 12. crosscutmt.org.

And with a season full of skiing behind you, set your sights on the West Yellowstone Rendezvous on March 5. skirunbikemt.com.

If you’re looking to compete outside of Gallatin County, check out the Montana Nordic Cup website to learn more about racing opportunities throughout the entire state. montanacup.com.

If you’d rather watch others suffer than endure it yourself, spectate or volunteer at the regional FIS Intermountain Division Opener hosted by BSF on December 18-19. This event includes a sprint race at Sunset Hills and a distance race at Crosscut, featuring some of the best junior racers in the country. It’ll also be used as a qualifier for the US Paralympic team, which is sure to attract top national and international athletes hoping to secure their place at the 2022 Beijing Games. bridgerskifoundation.org.

Whether you’re just looking to dress up and ski with friends, or training full-time for the Birkie, Bozeman has a winter full of racing opportunities that meet everyone’s needs. More than that, we hope these races will bring our large Nordic community together and get even more people outside during Montana’s beautiful winter months. See you on the trails.

Andrew Morehouse is the Nordic program director for the Bridger Ski Foundation.