Lights Being Installed at Bogus Basin

Last year, several lights were installed on a test section of trail in order to prove the design concept.  I was able to ski the lighted areas at night without much difficulty and without a headlamp.

As a result of lighting many skiers who work during the day will be able to ski in the evening and at night.  This will enable more of us to train for races using the most ski specific exercise--skiing.

Despite the lack of lighting, evening skiing at Bogus Basin is popular with most using headlamps.  (Yes, some people actual ski in the middle of dark night without lamps.  Of course during a full moon this is fairly easy to do, but I have observed people skiing well after dark without headlamps on a dark night.)

Evening skiing is actually easier than skiing during the middle of the day as the snow is more consistent. 

Jutting out into Payette Lake is hilly pine covered pennisula--the home of of Ponderosa State Park.  In 2008 this park located just outside of McCall, Idaho will be the site of the Masters World Cup.

The Masters World Cup is a major Nordic ski competition open to all master (over 30) skiers.  This annual event is held in a different country each year.  The last time this event was held in the United States was 1998 (Lake Placid, New York).

This winter's (2006) Masters World Cup is being held in Brusson, Italy.  In 2007 this events moves to Rovaniemi, Finland.

Despite the name, this championship series is open to every ability.  There are no pre-qualifying races or requirements.  Typically, both the weekend warrior and ex-olympic skiers compete in this event.  Over 1,000 people participate.

Due to the relatively low elevation, just about any type of weather can be expected for the Masters World Cup--from heavy rain to bright sunshine to heavy snow.  Be prepared for variable conditions.

McCall is located approximately 110 miles north of Boise, Idaho on U.S. Highway 55.

As McCall is only 100 miles from the Rabid Skiers home, I hope to be there.

Last ski season, Tamarack was able to extend their Nordic ski season until April 17 by opening a ski trail at the summit of their downhill ski hill.  As this trail was at 7,800 feet, there was six to seven feet of snow on the ground in mid-April as can be observed in the photograph on the right.

This season, Tamarack is promising snow making on the Nordic trails located at the base of the mountain thereby enabling them to open early.  I really appreciate their efforts in pushing the season.

Unfortunately, many Nordic skiers hang their skis up at the end of February or in early March.  This is disheartening as many Nordic areas are closing long before they lose their snow cover due to the lack of skiers!  So far Tamarack has resisted doing this.

For the next two years, the National Masters will be held at Mt. Bachelor which is located near Bend, Oregon.  In addition the dates for the race have been changed to the end of March and is intended to be a season ender.  This season the dates are March 22 to 26.

Like many ski areas in the Pacific Northwest, Mt. Bachelor will have many feet on the ground at that time of year.  In fact, during some years the snow depth reaches its maximum level in mid to late March.

Like the Masters World Cup, this event is within driving distance (about 300 miles) of the Rabid Skier's headquarters. 

You may contact the Rabid Skier at johnwgreene@hotmail.com