Last updated August 11, 2024--NOTE: 2025 race details and registration are not finalized yet
As a passionate Nordic skier, the allure of The Great Ski Race in Tahoe City, California, is impossible to ignore. A must-do for Nordic ski enthusiasts - put this event on your calendar! It’s a celebration of the sport, the stunning Sierra Nevada landscape, and the spirit of community. Organized by the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team, this race the largest Nordic ski race west of the Mississippi and is a Birkebeiner Qualifier event. What sets this race apart is its unique combination of challenging terrain, breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe, and the knowledge that every stride you take supports a vital cause by raising funds for the all-volunteer rescue team that has been saving lives and educating the public on winter survival for decades. Strambecco rates The Great Ski Race as one of the Best Nordic Ski Races in the Northwest.
Event & Course Info
The Great Ski Race features a 26-kilometer (approximately 16.2 miles) loop that begins and ends at the Tahoe Cross Country Center in Tahoe City. The course, known for its machine-groomed tracks, provides both skating lanes and double tracks, ensuring a smooth and fast race for all participants. The race starts with a gradual climb out of the Tahoe Basin, ascending the rolling trails of Tahoe Cross Country. The climb continues to the highest point on the course, Starratt Pass, where you are rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains, an inspiring sight that makes the effort worth every ounce of energy.
After reaching the pass, The Great Ski Race course takes you onto the "Fiberboard Freeway," a logging road that offers a mostly downhill ride but this section isn’t just a cruise to the end. The descents require technical skill, and the few remaining uphill sections will keep you on your toes. As you glide towards Carnelian Bay and onto the Blue Trail back to the start, you’ll need to maintain focus and stamina to make the most of this exhilarating section of the race. Aid stations are strategically placed along the course, providing water, sports drinks, and energy gels to help you stay fueled and hydrated. However, given the challenging nature of the course, it’s wise to carry your own nutrition to ensure you’re prepared for the long haul.
The festive atmosphere that greets you at the finish line of The Great Ski Race—complete with food, beer, live music, and dancing—only adds to the event's charm, making it a perfect way to bid farewell to winter in the Sierra Nevada. The race concludes with an awards ceremony where medals are awarded to the top three finishers in each age category, ranging from 9 and under to 70 and over. This inclusive approach ensures that skiers of all generations are celebrated for their efforts.
Area Accommodations & Things to Do
Coming soon!
Related Events
Multi-sport athletes looking for other premier races and events in California and the broader Northwest region can take a peek at all of our related Strambecco Best rated event guides:
- Best Gravel Cycling Race Events in the Northwest
- Best Mountain Bike Race Events in the Northwest
- Best Road Cycling Race Events in the Northwest
- Best Trail Running Race Events in the Northwest
- Best Nordic Ski Races in the Northwest
- Best Road Cycling Race Events in California
- Best Gravel Cycling Race Events in California
- Best NorCal Gravel Grinders
