"The snow conditions are about as good as we've ever had for the Boulder Tour."
That's what Wells Fargo Boulder Mountain Tour race director Kevin Swigert said Friday about the 31st annual Nordic ski event set for Saturday, Feb. 4 starting from Senate Meadows near Galena Lodge 23 miles north of Ketchum.
Deep snow in the Boulder and Smoky mountains has made the scenic 32-kilometer (19.8-mile) trail even more beautiful—but recent snowfalls continuing into Saturday could slow down the expected field of nearly 900 racers.
Remember, it snowed for the first Boulder Tour in 1973, and it snowed two years ago turning the 2004 race into a tough slog where top finishing times were 15 to 20 minutes slower.
Nobody in Sun Valley has anything bad to say about a lot of snow, though.
Swigert said, "I think it's going to be a great race. A lot of snow tends to make it wider in some of the tighter places along the course that are unique to the Boulder. And our grooming is so good that it's got to be snowing all night long and during the race to slow it down."
The weather will dictate whether it's a fast track or more demanding test.
But this year's tour already got a good break when the City of Lakes Loppet race in Minnesota scheduled for the same day, this Saturday, was canceled due to lack of snow. Swigert expects the Boulder Tour to benefit from quality skiers.
Last year, there were 830 finishers ranging from age 10 to 78 in the American Ski Marathon Series event—76% from out of the Wood River Valley.
Before the news came about the City of Lakes cancelation, Swigert was thinking the Boulder would have 900 skiers, somewhat lower than normal.
That's because this week's World Masters Nordic Championships and the upcoming 2006 Winter Olympics, both at Turin, Italy, have impacted the Elite Field and those in the first few waves for Saturday's Boulder Tour, Swigert said.
He said, "There are a lot of people from Bend (Ore.) and around the region who are going to World Masters. Also, (2004 Boulder queen) Rebecca Dussault won't be here because she is on the Olympic team."
The U.S. Olympic team also includes three-time Olympian and three-time Boulder Tour king Carl Swenson, 35, of Park City along with frequent Boulder contestant Wendy Wagner, 32, also of Park City, Utah.
And last year's women's runner-up Morgan Arritola, 18, of Fairfield is representing this country at the World Junior Nordic Championships starting today at Kranj, Slovenia.
Nevertheless Swigert anticipates a strong men's field including Subaru Factory Team racers Eric Meyer, Patrick Weaver and Rob Whitney. Top women include Rossignol's Brooke Baughman and Atomic racer Suzanne King of Bend.
Colorado racer Meyer won last year's men's race in 1.09:43.3 and set the course record of 1.06:27.6 in 2003. A two-time winner, King is the defending women's champ in 1.17:36.9. Ketchum-based Baughman set the Boulder Tour women's course record of 1.12:36.1 back in 2003.
Chris Hall's Fischer team sends 2005 Ski Chase men's champ David Stewart of Vermont, plus Nathan Schultz, last year's Spring Tour champion Zack Simons and current Super Tour leader Kate Whitcomb.
Swigert said he's pleased that the eighth and ninth waves of first-time and beginning skiers continue to be a big attraction at the Boulder Tour, which has its roots in citizen racing.
"The Boulder Tour continues to be one of the most important cross-country ski races in the country," he said. "But it's pretty unique among the bigger races in that there are high-end level racers, yet it tends to draw new skiers and maybe those who just started skiing.
"It's non-intimidating, a race the newcomers feel comfortable with."
Race director Swigert, a former U.S. Nordic Ski Team member and three-time national champ who was raised in the valley, is the owner and operator of Warbonnet Entertainment LLC doing year-round event management of the Boulder Tour.
The event management contract is $24,000, part of projected $97,370 in expenses for the 2006 Boulder Tour. It's a big non-profit organization, an entirely volunteer group overseen by a board of directors and supported by more than 350 Wood River individuals and businesses.
Boulder Mountain Tour Ltd. board president is Bob Rosso, owner of The Elephant's Perch and master of ceremonies at the awards banquet.
Vice president is Sun Valley Junior Nordic ski team head coach and Boulder start chief Rick Kapala. Secretary is Muffy Ritz. Treasurer is Andy Munter. Board member is John Seiller. And the organizing committee features 31 different people.
Sponsorship fees raise about $28,000 of the $101,250 projected revenue (entry fees are $71,000). Swigert said the committee made a concerted effort this year to give sponsors more bang for their buck with an improved banner situation.
He said, "We made a big effort redesigning how we do the banners so they are vertical and freestanding, which lets us move them easier from site to site. It gives more of a professional look to the event."
Vendors will display the newest in boots, equipment and much more during Friday's Boulder Mountain Tour Expo at nexStage Theatre and on Sunday during the post-race Wells Fargo Ski Festival at Galena Lodge. "There will be plenty to look at and see," said Swigert.
Another highlight will be the return of Saturday's awards ceremony (not a dinner) to the Limelight Room of Sun Valley Inn.
The 31st annual 32-kilometer (19.8-mile) distance race is set to start at 10 a.m. Saturday. There are nine starting waves, with 50 skiers apiece in the Elite waves, and 125 to 150 in each subsequent wave.
Saturday's race is designated as an open skate race, but there is a single track at the side of the course for those who prefer classical strides.
Fastest skiers will arrive at the finish line near the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters eight miles north of Ketchum shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday.
Here is the schedule:
· Friday, Feb. 3: The Wells Fargo Boulder Mountain Tour Expo is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at nexStage Theatre on Main St. in Ketchum.
There, racers will pick up their bibs and BMT clothing bags. They'll learn about wave seeding and find souvenirs and promotional materials. Late bib pickup is Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at Galena Lodge.
Course inspection will be allowed Friday at no charge until 4 p.m., when the race course will be closed. At all other times, use of the course requires a $9 trail fee.
· Saturday, Feb. 4: Shuttle buses to Galena Lodge from the Ketchum Park & Ride will run from 7 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Skiers in the first waves will start loading about 7 a.m.
Traffic headed north to Stanley can still get through, but no private cars will be allowed at Galena Lodge, Swigert added. Spectators can also ride the buses to the start.
After the race, buses back to Ketchum will leave the SNRA starting about 12 noon.
Post-race awards party will be held at the Limelight Room from 6-7:15 p.m. There will be complimentary snacks and a no-host bar offered to all Boulder Tour entrants. Each entry includes one raffle ticket. You must be present to be eligible for prizes given out at the ceremony.
Results will be posted on the event's Web site, bouldermountaintour.com, shortly after the end of Saturday's race, by about 3 p.m.
· Sunday, Feb. 5: As part of today's Wells Fargo Ski Festival at Galena Lodge, free cross-country ski demos and free clinics will be available starting at 10 a.m.
