Calumet's Swedetown Trails ready for Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon March 8, Junior Bear Chase March 7

Skiers climb one of the more challenging hills at Swedetown Trails during a previous Great Bear Chase race. (File photo by Keweenaw Now)

CALUMET -- Skiers and organizers are hoping for warmer temperatures for the Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon this Saturday, March 8, and the Junior Bear Chase Friday, March 7, at Swedetown Trails in Calumet.

Cold temperatures and snow have been a challenge, but the Swedetown trails are well groomed and ready for the races. Saturday's races include 50 km Freestyle, 50 km Classic, 25 km Freestyle, 25 km Classic, 10 km Freestyle and 10 km Classic.

"This year’s high snowfall has required more grooming passes to keep the base packed nice and firm," Swedetown Trails Club President Cynthia MacDonald said. "Also, the snow load on the trees has required the groomers to clean up some downed trees and spend more time trimming overhanging limbs."

The groomers have been busy, and the reward is a base of snow that’s about as good as anyone could ask for. Groomer Pat Szubielak, who is also organizing Swedetown's third annual Snow Bike Race, said there’s no doubt the depth is at least three feet. MacDonald said in the woods it’s likely that it’s no less than four feet.

"All I keep hearing from people is that the base is terrific," MacDonald said. "This is one year where we certainly don’t have to worry about losing our base in March. We’ll be skiing all of March, and likely beyond."

Click here to register on line for the race.

Volunteers still needed

"We are still in need of about 40 volunteers for the Great Bear Chase this Saturday, March 8!" Angela Luskin of Portage Health announced early this week. "Please consider donating a few hours of your time to support a great local event."

Contact Luskin at aluskin@portagehealth.org if you have questions on positions. To volunteer, fill out the form at the following link: http://www.greatbearchase.com/volunteer/. Positions and shifts that may still be needed are below:

De-Chipper 12-3 p.m.
Bag Attendant 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Chipper 7 a.m.-10 a.m.
Back-up Timer 12-3 p.m.
Fire Tender 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Registration Friday 2 p.m.-5 p.m., 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Beer Server 11a.m.-3 p.m.
Banquet Set-up 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Banquet Assistant 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Result Printer 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Aid Stations 7:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m., 8 a.m.-9:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Ski Pole Attendant 7:45 a.m.-10 a.m.
Stadium Crew 6 a.m.-8 a.m., 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Parking Assistant 6:30 a.m.-9 a.m.
25K Forerunner on skis 7:15 a.m.
25K Sweep on skis 10 a.m.

Ski Tigers to host Junior Bear Chase March 7

The Copper Country Ski Tigers are once again hosting the Junior Bear Chase on Friday night, March 7. Registration for the event will run from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Swedetown Trails Chalet. Races will start shortly after 5 p.m.

Read all of the details on the Junior Bear Chase, including information on how to save 30 percent by registering ahead of time, by going to greatbearchase.com/juniorbearchase.

Great Bear Square Dance to be held at Laurium Ballroom March 8

The  5th Annual Great Bear Square Dance will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Laurium Ballroom, 310 Hecla Street in Laurium (across from Miller Lanes, above the Police Dept.)

The caller is Donn Christensen who comes from the Washburn, Wis., area to ski the race and then call squares, circles, contras, etc. This is a community dance open to all. $5 per dancer appreciated.

Read more about the Great Bear Chase at greatbearchase.com.

Great Bear Chase Square Dance to be March 9

CALUMET -- The fourth annual Great Bear Square Dance will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. this Saturday, March 9, at the Omphale Gallery and Café in Calumet.

The caller will be Donn Christesen who races in the Great Bear Ski Race. Music will be by the Great Bear Band. The dance is open to all. Everyone is welcome. A $5 donation is appreciated.

Ski Tigers to raffle hand-made ski waxing bench Mar. 8-10

HANCOCK -- Ski Tigers Nordic Race Team is raffling a magnificent hand-made hardwood ski waxing bench, valued at $500. Tickets will be on sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday only, with the prize awarded at the Great Bear Chase awards Saturday, March 10, at the CLK High School Gym in Calumet.

Raffle tickets are $2 each, 3 for $5, and 13 for $20. Tickets will be on sale as follows:

Thursday, March 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 3:55 p.m., at the lobby of the Health Department in Hancock (540 Depot St, behind McGann’s).

Friday, March 9, from 4 pm. - 9 p.m., at Bear Chase packet pick-up, CLK High School Gym.

Saturday, March 10, after the races, before the awards at the CLK Gym.

Please go to this web site to see pictures and learn more about this beautiful piece of art that is built to last a lifetime.

Updated: Volunteers needed for Great Bear Chase cross country ski race

Great Bear Chase mascot and friends cheer for skiers as they climb Flamingo Hill during the 2011 Great Bear Chase at Swedetown Trails in Calumet. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

CALUMET -- Volunteers are needed for the Great Bear Chase cross country ski race to be held Saturday, March 10, at Swedetown Trails.

"We've got the snow, two additional races, a new and improved start/finish area, and racers coming from all over the upper Midwest," says Emily Dekker-Fiala, Great Bear Chase volunteer coordinator. "Now we just need more volunteers to make the 32nd Great Bear Chase another fantastic Copper Country event."

Volunteers are asked to give 2-3 hours of time. A variety of shifts are available between 6:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. both indoors and outdoors.

A few more people are also needed for setting up fencing from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday, March 3rd, at the new start/finish area for the Great Bear Chase off Spruce St. -- the next road north of the access road to the Chalet. (Stop by after the Copper Dog snowbike races).

Please consider volunteering for this great event -- the last big race of the season. Invite your friends and family to work with you (responsible teens are welcome.) It's easy to sign up. Just click here. If you can help with setup on March 3rd, please note this on the sign-up form.

Visit bearchase.org for information about the race.

Updated: Volunteers needed for Great Bear Chase ski race; Swedetown conditions; Michigan Tech trail closings for race

CALUMET -- The 32nd Annual Great Bear Chase is set for Saturday, March 10. Volunteers are needed for aid stations, registration, parking, timing and many other areas. Please consider donating 2-4 hours of your time for this great community event.

Visit http://www.bearchase.org/volunteer.htm to select your volunteer time and preference. The volunteer coordinator will be in touch with you shortly after you complete the form.

Swedetown Trails skiing conditions great!

Swedetown groomer Dave Toczydlowski reports great conditions now on Swedetown Trails in Calumet.

"Tilled and tracked all trails on 2/10. Back country striding trail last groomed on 1/29, and in very nice condition with new powder. Snow shoe trails are packed in," he reports. "Come try our new changing room!"

In addition, Swedetown offers a groomed, lighted sledding hill and 5 k of ski trails lighted until 10 p.m.

Swedetown's heated chalet offers pasties and other food, hot cocoa, and restrooms equipped with flush toilets.

You can still participate in the Ski for Heart to help support Omega House hospice and Swedetown Trails on Saturday, Feb. 11. Click here for info.

Tech Trails closed Feb. 11, partially closed Feb. 12

From Dean Woodbeck of Keweenaw Trails:

Michigan Tech will host the Central Collegiate Ski Association championships this weekend, meaning the main Tech Trails will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11-12.

The softball field trailhead, along with Isle Royale and Superior loops, will remain open throughout the weekend. The Tolkien trails, accessed from Pilgrim Road, will also remain open.

Saturday’s races will use both the competition trails and the Nara trails. All trails will be closed except the 1 km Nara Loop (from the Nara trailhead), Isle Royale and Superior, and the Tolkien trails.

On Sunday, the Nara trails will be open, along with Isle Royale, Superior, and the Tolkien trails. All other trails (e.g. those accessed from the main trailhead and Core Loop) will be closed until 2 p.m.

Groomers have started preparing for the races and are setting "best line" tracks today, Friday, in preparation for the Saturday classic races. This means that the classic tracks will be in the middle of trails. Skaters are asked to respect the tracks on Friday.

Thanks to all Keweenaw skiers for their cooperation. Remember that grooming continues at Swedetown, Chassell, and Maasto Hiihto/Churning Rapids, so you have these other skiing opportunities while the Tech trails are closed.

Update: On Thursday, Feb. 9, Becky Darling wrote this about the Chassell (classic) trails: "Fresh snow here in Chassell tonight, so the conditions may just be perfect on the trails here tomorrow while the races go on at Tech."

Great Bear Chase committee invites community members to Jan. 31 meeting

Skiers climb one of the more challenging hills at Swedetown Trails during the 2011 Great Bear Chase race. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

CALUMET -- The Great Bear Chase committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Swedetown Chalet. Community members are invited to get involved in this 32-year tradition. If you are interested in any way, please attend this meeting -- no commitment necessary -- just see what it's all about!

The 32nd Annual Great Bear Chase cross country ski race will be held Saturday, March 10. Two new races are being added this year, plus a new stadium area for the start and finish.

Five events are schedule to take place on the Swedetown Trails in Calumet:
50km Classic
50km Freestyle
26km Classic
26km Freestyle
14km Freestyle

Registration is only $55 ($25 for the 14 km) for skiers who register by Wednesday, Feb. 8. To learn more or to register, visit www.bearchase.org.

2012 is turning out to be a great snow year and the trails are in excellent shape. Don't hesitate -- register today!