Barneløpet children's ski race to be Feb. 9 at Maasto Hiihto Trails

HANCOCK -- Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC), Sons of Norway Ulseth Lodge and the City of Hancock will sponsor their annual Barneløpet children's classic cross-country ski race this Sunday, Feb. 9, at Maasto Hiihto Trails.

Sandy Aronson and Gromit the Ski Dog patrol the Maasto Hiihto River Trail during the 2013 Barneløpet children's ski race. See Gromit's Trail Mutt Reports for recent photos of last week's Retro Ski event at Maasto Hiihto and Churning Rapids. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

The Barneløpet (pronounced bar-NEE-lop-it) first began in 1987 and was modeled after the "Barnebirke," a children’s cross-county ski race held each year as a part of the world-famous American "Birkebeiner" held in Hayward, Wisconsin.

Registration is open for ages 3 through 17 years old; parents are encouraged to ski with their children if they wish -- to make it a family outing!

Parents ski with their children at a previous Barneløpet ski race at Maasto Hiihto Trails in Hancock. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

The Barneløpet start is at the Hancock Four Seasons Chalet trailhead on the Maasto Hiihto cross-country trail system with groomed and marked courses of 1, 2, 4, and 6 km, each for children of differing ages/abilities.

Registration is at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Four Seasons Chalet at the trailhead in Hancock (County Fair Grounds).

Start Times:  2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in age groups. Non-competitive. Ski for time or take your time!
 
Youth skiers who complete their chosen course receive a large, colorful enameled Participation Medallion and can enjoy the hot chocolate and cookie treats provided at the Chalet for everyone after they finish.

A suggested donation of $3 per child or $5 per family, to help defray the costs of the event, is welcome.

To download a registration form, click here.