Three free senior ski racing clinics will be offered as part of next month’s Summit County 50+ Winter Games, which are scheduled at several venues in Summit County from Feb. 5-7 and 10-12.
In its 39th year, the games will take place across the county, namely at Keystone Resort, the Frisco Nordic Center and the Summit County Community and Senior Center.
The week’s festivities will commence on Tuesday Feb. 5, with the first alpine ski racing clinic at Breckenridge Ski Resort from 10 to 11 a.m. To participate, attendees must be registered for the 50+ Winter Games. Registration is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register for this clinic, interested participants should contact Steve Alberico at (815) 685-0278, or at stevenpalberico@gmail.com.
On Wednesday Feb. 6, the Frisco Nordic Center will host a free pre-race clinic for experienced Nordic skiers registered for either the classic or skate skiing events at the Games. The clinic will start on snow at 1:30 p.m., with 45 minutes of classic race tips. Then, at 2:30 p.m., clinic participants will receive 45 minutes of skate ski racing tips. Attendance will be limited to the first 10 participants to sign up for each of these sessions. A sign-up sheet will be in the activities book at the Summit County Senior Center.
Then on Thursday, Keystone Resort will host a free alpine ski racing clinic from 9-10 a.m. This clinic is also for anyone pre-registered for the 50+ Winter Games. To register for this clinic, interested participants should contact Cathy Sapp at (303) 717-5082 or rockymtncmc@gmail.com.
The actual 50+ Winter Games competition will then get underway on Sunday, Feb. 10. This year’s games will feature ice skating, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, hockey skills events and snowshoeing. Other elements of the weekend will include a lighthearted snowball throw competition and a Sunday night silent auction and carbo-load dinner. The event is organized by the Summit County Senior Citizens group.
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“The 50+ Winter Games are about embracing the spirit of fun and adventure that keeps us in Summit County no matter the age,” said event spokeswoman Sandy Bainbridge. “They are about finding common ground in our passion for the outdoors. And above all they are about welcoming everyone into these experiences, whether beginners or experts, because ‘right now’ is always the ideal moment to discover a new sport or get better at a well-loved favorite.”
It is $35 per person to register for the 50+ Winter Games and it is $20 per person to take part in the opening night dinner and silent auction. The deadline for registrations is Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. A $52 reduced-fee Keystone day ski pass is also available for competitors who do not already have a season ski pass.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Summit County Senior Citizens programs. Last year, the 50+ Winter Games raised almost $18,000. The funds went toward senior nutrition programs, such as “Meals on Wheels,” the medical transportation program and senior indoor and outdoor activity programs.
Monday’s skating events at Keystone will include 1- and 4-lap skating races, singles and doubles figure skating and the John Roberts Memorial Hockey Goal Shoot. Monday’s alpine ski events at Keystone will include giant slalom, a “rally” race and an obstacle course.
Tuesday’s Nordic skiing events at the Frisco Nordic Center will include a 10-kilometer intermediate and advanced freestyle Nordic race, a 2.5K beginner classic Nordic race, a 5K beginner to intermediate 5K classic Nordic race and a beginner to intermediate biathlon classic. The Nordic center will also host the snowball toss and 3-4K long course and 2K short course snowshoe races.
The games’ awards ceremony will then conclude the week on Tuesday at 3 p.m., at the Summit County Community and Senior Center.
For more information or to register for the 50+ Winter Games, visit: SummitSeniorCenter.com.