The Great Ski Race®
36th Anniversary, Sunday March 4th, 2012, 9:00 AM
- What are the race costs? The cost of the race is $55 through February 15th 2012; $65 from Feb 16 - March 3rd; and $100 if registering on race day. If you are under 18 the price is $25. All race fees are non-refundable. Your entry fee buys you a pre-race package, a 5-color T-shirt, refreshments and hot lunch at the finish, a chance to win one of numerous prizes, plus live music and dancing at the finish! Donations above and beyond these amounts to the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team are always appreciated (all donations above and beyond race fees are tax-deductible; non-profit tax ID #94-2737988).
- How does registration work? While you can register the day of the race, it's highly recommended that you register in advance. Then, on the Friday (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM) and Saturday (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) before the race, and Sunday (race day) up until 8:30 AM, you can pick up your pre-race package at the Tahoe Cross Country ski area.
- What competitive categories are available for the race? Despite a few requests for Classic or Snowshoe categories, TGSR is still considered a skate race, and the categories are broken down by gender (M/F) and age (10 year increments).
- What are the race records, per category? Check out the history page for record times, per category.
- Do I have to cross country ski the course? You can run or walk the course, but snowshoes are required (skis are highly recommended, however - this is a ski race!).
- Is the entire race course groomed? Yes; the race course is machine-groomed with skating lanes and double tracks the entire 30 kilometers (~18.43 miles). Please make sure to respect the striders tracks if you are skating.
- Will there be a wave start? Yes! The start field is divided into 6 wave starts; skiers will be seeded based on past performance in TGSR. If you have not competed in TGSR you should submit a race resume in order to be seeded in the competitive (waves 1 through 3) wave.
- How does the wave seeding work? If you have raced TGSR before, we will use your best performance to rank you amongst the other pre-registered racers. By performance we do not mean your best absolute finish time, since any finish time does not account for the race course conditions and so can't be used for year to year comparisons. For example, the winning time from 2011 (1:26:17) was slow from a historical perspective (the course record is 1:06:51 from 2008), but this time difference was due (mostly) to the very slow race course conditions in 2011, and not the racer's abilities. Thus, instead of using your absolute best time, we will use your relative "percent back" from the winner. To use the winner of each race as our anchor for year to year comparisons, we are making the assumption that in the hypothetical situation where all past TGSR winners raced together, they would all finish within seconds of each other (versus minutes).
- What kind of shape should I be in for such a race? The fastest time is 1:07, and the slowest is around 7 hours. This race is a test of endurance and skill; be sure you are in good shape so you can enjoy the course. Due to the length (30 kilometers, ~18.43 miles) and remoteness of the course beginners are not advised to enter; but skiers of all abilities and ages do enter this fun and challenging race.
- Where can I go to get some practice cross country skiing in? The week before the race the Tahoe Cross Country ski area is offering a special pre-race trail fee for pre-registered Great Ski racers. Ski for only $10 a day during race week.
- What refreshments are suggested to take with me during the race? There are 2 stops (around kilometer's 11 and 24) on the race course that will have snacks and drinks available (included in race cost); you should take along enough additional snacks or drinks to satisfy whatever requirements you have for a 1-7 hour adventure.
- Can I rent some equipment for the race? Your best bet is to contact the Tahoe Cross Country ski area at (530) 583-5475.
- When and how do I find out the race results? Race results will appear the night of the race on-line.
- Is this really a race? Whether or not you are truly racing is up to you...
- Can I race with my dog? Out of consideration for all the race participants, please make other arrangements for your pets. Thanks!
- What does the course profile look like? The 30 kilometer (~18.43 miles) course begins at Lake Tahoe, climbs out of the Tahoe Basin over Starratt Pass, and heads to historic Truckee on a long downhill run along Sawtooth Ridge. The race course covers magnificent terrain and offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. Panoramic views of Squaw Valley and the Sierra Crest are seen from the top of the course just before an exhilarating downhill run. The profile and course map are below; you can also take a look at the course via Google Earth.
- Will I be able purchase additional The Great Ski Race® TM memorabilia? The Great Ski Race® T-shirts, caps, raffle tickets (for a special drawing - 2 new pair of skis), and other souvenirs will be available for purchase during pre-registration at the Tahoe Cross Country ski area, and at the finish on race day.
- As a business, I'd like to consider becoming a sponsor of The Great Ski RaceTM; what are my options? Check out our Invitation for Sponsorship, which offers all the details. Thanks for your consideration!
- Didn't find an answer to your question? After you've made sure to review the entire web site, try our TGSR Forum, for past and present racers to participate in community discussions concerning all things TGSR. Otherwise, please let us know if you have any unanswered questions.
The Great Ski Race® Profile
