For over 40 years, cross country skiers from across North America and around the world have traveled to West Yellowstone, Montana’s Yellowstone Ski Festival to begin their Nordic ski season on the Rendezvous Ski Trails. The Yellowstone Ski Festival takes place during Thanksgiving week. The event's highlights include a series of Nordic skiing clinics, competitive races, Biathlon races, clinics, and classes.

Whether you are a beginning skier or an experienced racer, West Yellowstone is The place to start your ski season. Each year, approximately 3500 skiers from around the United States and Canada travel to West Yellowstone for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Where else can you participate in ski clinics coached by former Olympic athletes and lifelong Nordic skiers, and share the Rendezvous Trails with so many great skiers? The Yellowstone Ski Festival offers all of that and more!

2023 Ski Festival is a GO

We will focus our efforts on providing "First Tracks" for Nordic Skiers in November. Thanksgiving week will be all about skiing! We have decided to continue our focus on outdoor events. We will have groomed skiing, clinics, a biathlon, and a NRL race.

Schedule Of Events:

Monday November 20, 2023

7:30am-8:15am: Mindful Movement Class a combination of Pilates, Yoga, and Stretching at the Holiday Inn

Tuesday November 21, 2023

7:30am-8:15am: Mindful Movement Class a combination of Pilates, Yoga, and Stretching at the Holiday Inn

Clinics Begin

9:00am:  5-Day Skate and Classic XC Fundamentals for Performance
               2-Day Skate & Classic Tune Up

Biathlon Try-It Clinic

Note:  Try-It Registration closes Monday at 5pm!
Biathlon Try-It Clinic participants must have a trail pass and ski equipment to participate in the clinic.  All passes are non-refundable. Registration is limited to 50 participants in each of two sessions.  All skiers should meet at the Biathlon Range (1.5k from trail head area, accessible by skiing only) 15 minutes prior to clinic start in order to check in.  Spectators are welcome to ski out (with a trail pass) or walk along the South Plateau Rd (without ski equipment).  There are no shuttles available.  Participants should wear proper attire for standing outside in winter weather.

12:00pm: Registration Closes for Biathlon Races
5:00pm: Biathlon Coaches Meeting - Virtual - a link will be sent to all registered competitors and coaches

Wednesday November 22,2023

7:30am-8:15am: Mindful Movement Class a combination of Pilates, Yoga, and Stretching at the Holiday Inn

Biathlon Race

8:30am-9:50am: Biathlon Bib pick-up - Rendezvous Ski Trails Stadium/Biathlon Range

9:00am-9:50am: Biathlon Zero - Rendezvous Ski Trails Stadium/Biathlon Range

10:00am: Biathlon Sprint Race - Rendezvous Ski Trails Stadium/Biathlon Range

11:00am: Novice Biathlon Race (Rendezvous Ski Trails Stadium/Biathlon Range) (approximate start time)  
                First Time Novice athletes Must attend the demo clinic on Tuesday to take part in race.  If you attended a previous clinic you are welcome but
                not required to attend.  

12:30pm: Biathlon Podium/Awards-Approximate Time, Rendezvous Ski Trails Stadium/Biathlon Range

Thursday November 23, 2023

7:30am-8:15am: Mindful Movement Class a combination of Pilates, Yoga, and Stretching at the Holiday Inn

Clinics Begin

9:00am: 3-Day Skate & Classic XC Fundamentals for Performance
              1-Day Improve Your Skate Technique

Friday November 24,2023

7:30am-8:15am: Mindful Movement Class a combination of Pilates, Yoga, and Stretching at the Holiday Inn

Clinics and Race Day Prep

9:00am: 1-Day Improve Your Classic Technique

5:30pm

Apres

3:00pm-5:00pm: Join us at the Rendezvous Trailhead for an after ski beverage.

6:00pm: Coaches Meeting - Virtual - a link will be sent to all registered competitors and coaches

Saturday November 25, 2023

NRL Races

Clinics

9:00am: Clinics Continue

10:00am: Race Day - 10k/5k/3k Freestyle Race (Rendezvous Ski Trails stadium/biathlon range)

Date: November 18-26, 2023

Location: West Yellowstone, MT 59758

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