PARKS & TRAILS THINGS TO DO PROGRAMS & EVENTS NATURAL RESOURCES WEDDING & RENTAL SPACES HOME MINNESOTA NORDIC SKI OPENER minnesota nordic ski opener SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021 9 AM–4 PM Elm Creek Park Reserve 12400 James Deane Parkway Maple Grove, MN 55369 Embrace winter by celebrating cross-country skiing at the Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener! Skiers of all abilities and ages are invited to kick off winter with free skiing, free ski rental equipment and free mini lessons. Participate in the Ski Tour with routes for the whole family, and check out the Nordic Market with representatives from 50 Nordic ski suppliers, resorts, retails and clubs. This is a FREE event. The first 1,500 visitors to the Nordic Ski Market receive a free buff! activities All activities are held outside, both on and off the snow, so dress for the weather! Free Nordic skiing on Elm Creek Park Reserve’s manufactured snow loop Free Nordic ski rentals, including sit-skis for adapted skiers Free Nordic ski mini-lessons (drop in all day) Participate in Skaði’s Chase — 8K or 4K Visit the Nordic Ski Market Visit Sauna Village Sign up for 2021-22 ski lessons and ski passes ski tour — all day Join Minnesota’s first official ski of the year! Time yourself or take a leisurely ski on Elm Creek's 2.5K of manufactured snow. If you need skis, stop by the rental areas to take advantage of free rentals! 10 AM GROUP SKI FOR ADAPTED SKIERS At 10 AM, join us for a leisurely group ski for adapted skiers led by a Three Rivers staff member. Adapted skiers are welcome all day; sit-skis will be available. Participants needing assistance with transfers will need a household member to assist. nordic ski market — 9 am–3 pm Enjoy Minnesota’s largest Nordic ski expo! Outfit yourself for the season, sign up for races, find out about Minnesota resorts and clubs, learn about ski waxing, and sign up for door-prize drawings. The first 1,500 visitors to the Nordic Ski Market receive a free buff! sauna village — 9 am–3 pm A fun day of skiing is never complete without a Nordic sauna and ice bath. New this year: Learn about the growing mobile sauna community in Minnesota. Bring a towel, bathing suit and sandals to give it a try. Free sauna experiences will be provided by Nomad Sauna and Little Ember Co. skaði’s chase — 8 am ABOUT THE RACE Welcome winter with Skaði (Skaw-Dee), Norse goddess of skiers, in Skaði’s Chase Nordic ski race. Choose from 8K or 4K distances. 8K RACE – 8 AM The 8K freestyle race starts at 8 AM with four classes: Adult men's and women's (18+) and high school boys and girls (ages 12-18). The first 150 racers to register will receive a commemorative cloth bib. All racers will receive a Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener buff and entry into the Skaði’s Chase prize drawing. 4K RACE – 8:45 AM The 4K freestyle race starts at 8:45 AM with four classes: boys and girls high school (ages 16-18) and boys and girls middle school (ages 12-15). All racers will receive a Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener buff and entry into the Skaði’s Chase prize drawing. REGISTRATION AND FEES Skaði’s Chase registration is now open! 8K RACE Save by registering online by Dec. 8. Race-day registration is also available beginning at 7 AM. $25 pre-registration (online registration closes at 11:59 PM on December 8) $35 race-day registration 4K RACE Save by registering online by December 8. Race-day registration is also available beginning at 7 AM. $15 pre-registration (online registration closes at 11:59 PM on December 8) $25 race-day registration AWARDS – 9:30 AM The prestigious Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener Loon Award will be presented to the top finisher in each category: 8K — men’s and women’s; boys and girls high school (12-18) 4K — boys and girls high school (16-18); boys and girls middle school (12-15) Random door prize drawings for both races will be also be awarded. RACE RESULTS 2019 race results become a partner The goal of the Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener is to bring together the entire Minnesota Nordic ski community to celebrate Nordic skiing in Minnesota. If you are interested in being a Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener partner, please email us at SponsorshipOpportunities@threeriversparks.org. volunteer Volunteer as a greeter, help out in the rental building, be a "ski buddy" and help people as they try skiing for the first time, or help out with something else. To learn more or sign up, call 763-559-6706 or email us. Site Links ABOUT US ACCESSIBILITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FINANCE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS HISTORY LET'S TALK THREE RIVERS MISSION PUBLIC SAFETY & PARK RULES TERMS OF USE TEACHER & LEADER RESOURCES ART EDUCATION DIGITAL LEARNING FARM EDUCATION HISTORY EDUCATION HOME SCHOOLS NATURE EDUCATION OUTDOOR RECREATION SCHOOL SCOUTS TEACHERS NEWS BLOG NEWSLETTERS PODCAST CONTACT US DIRECTORY MY ACCOUNT DONATIONS EMPLOYMENT FEE ASSISTANCE MAPS PASSES & PERMITS TEEN ZONE VOLUNTEER Find Three Rivers Park District on Social Media Selecteer een taal▼ ©2021 THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED