Page 54 - Flathead Beacon // 1.15.13

54 | JANUARY 15, 2014 FLATHEADBEACON.COM

OUTDOORS

Celebrating the Sport of Nordic Skiing

Nordic club in Whiteish

holds its annual Glacier

Glide Freestyle Ski Race

By DILLON TABISH of the Beacon

Come winter, the once green land-
scape of open fairways at Whiteish Lake
Golf Course experiences a metamorpho-
sis. The multitude of trees is laid bare,
uncovering a sweeping skylight, and pil-

lows of snow blanket the countryside,
creating a labyrinth that invites explo-
ration. This annual alchemy evokes pas-
sion among devotees of another sport
besides golf.
Nordic skiing has a rich history in
this winter-sports mecca of Northwest

Montana, and that lineage can be largely
traced to the system of trails that me-
ander south of Whiteish Lake, atop the
snow-covered golf course.
For decades, the Glacier Nordic Club
has maintained groomed trails for all
ages and skill levels of skiers at its Nor-
dic center located at the golf course of

U.S. Highway 93 outside of Whiteish.
Together, there are more than 11 miles of
trail on the north and south sides of the
highway.
This weekend the club is celebrat- Ski Race is Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Nordic ABOVE: Glacier Glide nordic ski race.
ing the sport and its storied tradition in Center. The event features ive separate
the valley with the annual Glacier Glide races of varying lengths: cookie (shorter RIGHT: A young participant races in the Glacier
Nordic Freestyle Ski Race. The event has than 1 kilometer, or roughly half a mile); Glide. COURTESY PHOTOS

taken place for more than 30 years and 1K (0.62 miles); 4K (2.48 miles); 9K (5.59 Lake Restaurant.
embodies the Nordic club’s mission, “the miles) and 18K (11.18 miles).
“It’s such a fun event. This is the op-
lifelong love of cross country skiing,” ac- Registration begins at 9 a.m. for portunity for us to be at home and espe-
cording to Robin Brooks, an event orga- the adult races. The 9K and 18K races cially for all the kids to compete and just
nizer and the club’s new administrator launch at 10:30 a.m. At 10:45 a.m., reg- show everyone what they’re learning,”
of the Glacier Nordic Ski Team and Ju- istration opens for the shorter races, she said.
nior Jets program.
which kick of at noon. Except for a few Brooks joined the Nordic club af-

“We get skiers from across the board. minor tweaks, the course is similar to ter discovering Whiteish during her
The main goal is just the fun and giving last year’s event, which drew roughly 50 16,184-mile bicycle tour of North Amer-
this to the community to get everyone participants, according to Brooks. After ica in 2010. She arrived just as the club
together,” Brooks said.
the races, an awards ceremony and chili was searching for a head coach after
The Glacier Glide Nordic Freestyle
feed will be held inside the Whiteish
Cameron Blake moved to Bozeman to

T
F
E
H
E
RSSCW
H
E
F
T PAIN IS NOT NORMAL!
F
O
O
T
O
O
Total Foot &

LOWEST PRICES
Ankle Care
ALLOWED BY STATE!

You Deserve

to Save!
Surgical and conservative solutions for all foot
and ankle problems from simple to complex.
CIGARETTE
LOCALLY ERIK PLOOT, D.P.M.
DEPOT
Podiatric Physician
Tobacco Supply Store
OWNED and Surgeon
AND HERE Certiied by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery
4 RIVER ROAD, KALISPELL
TO SERVE
257-6653 (25-SMOKE)
95 INDIAN TRAIL RD. KALISPELL
755-1300 • www.glacierfootandankle.com
175 HUTTON RANCH RD, STE. 110, KALISPELL. 406-257-7518
Toenail Laser • Bunion Surgery • Heel Pain • Permanent Toenail Removal • Orthotics