Photos: Barnelopet family ski event at Maasto Hiihto

Young skiers take off for the non-competitive Barneløpet ski race at Maasto Hiihto trails in Hancock on Sunday, Feb. 12. (Photos © and courtesy Arlyn Aronson, unless otherwise indicated.)

By Michele Bourdieu

HANCOCK -- Keweenaw Now wishes to thank photographers Arlyn Aronson and John Diebel and blogger Gromit the Trail Mutt for covering the Fifth Annual Barneløpet ski event for children ages 3-17 and their parents. Here are some samples of their photos:

Gromit the Trail Mutt cheers for kids as they come across the finish line. Each young skier who completes the race receives an award from the Sons of Norway, who co-sponsor the event with the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club.

"Barney Loppet means kids!!" says Gromit the Trail Mutt on her blog. "And kids are something I don't get enough of!"

"Here I'm playing 'hard to get,'" says Gromit.

The youngest skiers take off, some with a little help from parents.

Some skiers pick up a bit of snow by the time they reach the finish line.

Yum! hot chocolate and cookies are great for warming up in the Hancock Chalet after the race. Thanks to the volunteers for baking and serving these!

On her blog, Trail Mutt Reports, Gromit has posted today some new photos of the Maasto trails after they were re-groomed following the kids' race.

Here's a shot of the recently groomed gorge trail that runs along picturesque Swedetown Creek. Gromit says it's her favorite!

Here's a photo of the Rhino tow machine pulling the grooming implements along the gorge trail next to Swedetown Creek.

Click here to visit Gromit's blog, The Trail Mutt Reports, for more photos of her ski adventures, including her trips to Copper Harbor and Minocqua, Wis., with Arlyn and Sandy Aronson.

The Sons of Norway Ulseth Lodge and the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) sponsor the Barneløpet ski event at Maasto Hiihto. KNSC's John Diebel took some great photos, including some of the older skiers heading down toward the gorge trail for the longer ski run. He has posted these as a special slide show. Here's a sample:

More adventurous Barneløpet skiers head down the Maasto Hiihto trails toward the gorge trail along Swedetown Creek. (Photo © and courtesy John Diebel)

Please click here for John Diebel's Barneløpet slide show!

Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club meets TONIGHT

HANCOCK -- The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) will hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Hancock chalet. All are welcome. Questions? Call Jay at 906-487-5411.