NewExpedition Inn: Midwest Ski Trails Open

December 1, 2024

Expedition Inn in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula opens its second winter season, boasting pristine cross-country ski trails. Skiers can access 29km of groomed trails, plus nearby options. Amenities include a wax bench and sauna for a perfect ski getaway.

NewWorld Cup Ruka: Freestyle Distance; Diggins Does it Again

December 1, 2024

Sunday was a big day for American athletes as four would finish within the top-10 in the day's 20K mass-start freestyle event in Ruka. Leading the group was Jessie Diggins who was a testament to "if there's a will there's a way," battling back to not only reel in a pair of Norwegian skiers that broke away late, but also pass them in the final few hundred meters for a fiery finish that earned her her first win of the season. She did so by out sprinting Jonna Sundling of Sweden, who had been hot on her heels for much of the race but had to settle for second, while Heidi Weng proved to be a better sprinter than her teammate Therese Johaug, finishing third. Not much further back was Sophia Laukli who finished an impressive 10th. Also impressive was the pair of Zanden McMullen and Gus Schumacher of the US men who finished 7th and 8th respectively, a career high for McMullen. There was a lot of red finishing in front of the two however, with five Norwegians in the top-6 which included the podium of Harald Oestberg Amundsen, Jan Thomas Jenssen, and Martin Loewstroem Nyenget. Next up: athletes will be making their way to the other side of Scandinavia for three days of racing in Lillehammer, Norway, starting with a 10K interval-start freestyle race on Friday.

World Cup Ruka: Classic Sprints

November 30, 2024

Classic sprints were the main event for the second day of World Cup racing in Ruka, a day that was filled with highs and lows. For the US team, it was a challenging day, with only two athletes qualifying for the heats, Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan, who both struggled to advance out of their quarterfinals. The heats were also rife with crashes, knocking out a few of the favorites, but also leaving opportunities for a few of the up-and-comers. That group included Sweden's Johanna Hagstroem, who got her first victory in the women's final, and the runner-up, Norway's Julie Myhre, who got her first podium. Joining the pair on the podium was Maja Dahlqvist, also of Sweden. The men's sprint final had a different narative, with Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo maintaining his sprint status quo with yet another win, with his teammate Erik Valnes at his side in second. To the delight of the home crowd, Lauri Vuorinen rounded out the men's podium in third. The opening weekend of World Cup racing will conclude tomorrow with a 20K mass-start freestyle for all athletes.

Team Birkie Learn-To-Ski Lessons Dec 6-7th

November 29, 2024

Team Birkie is offering cross-country skiing clinics at the Loppet Cup World Cup site, Dec 6-7th. Learn from Midwest athletes and coaches, building skills and supporting Team Birkie's competitive skiers. Designed for beginners or those rediscovering the sport, clinics offer a fun and supportive environment for skill development.

World Cup Ruka: Classic Distance

November 29, 2024

An exciting new World Cup season got underway on Friday at the Ruka ski resort in Finland, this time breaking the decades long norm with a 10K interval start classic race. Norwegian dominance was felt across the board as the nation secured four podium positions between the men's and women's races, but the top finish in both competitions went to a Finn and a Swede respectively—the hometown hero Iivo Niskanen, and Frida Karlsson. Therese Johaug, the returning retiree, and Astrid Oeyre Slind rounded out the women's podium in second and third, and Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Martin Loewstroem Nyenget did likewise for the men's podium. Like no time had passed at all, Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan led the way for the US team, both securing top-10 finishes in 7th and 9th respectively, while Gus Schumacher was the highlight of the men's squad, finishing just inside the top-20 in 18th. The second of three days of racing will bring a bout of sprinting action tomorrow, again in the classic technique.

New Moon: Black Friday Deals Weekend

November 27, 2024

New Moon is having a Black Friday sale through this weekend. Save on snowshoes and accessories, Toko gloves, Fischer Twin Skin Race skis and more. Visit them online or shop in-person for more deals.

Finn Sisu: Battle Creek Fifty K Black Friday Blowout

November 26, 2024

If you're looking to put in some early season mileage while enjoying the trails at Battle Creek, then look no further than the Battle Creek Fifty K. Presented by Finn Sisu, the event is currently running a Black Friday special with a reduced registration fee of $40 for the first 200 participants, so don't wait and sign up today!