New England is a region with a uniquely coherent identity across a uniquely diverse amount of terrain and communities. Whereas what defines the Rocky Mountains is the mountains and what defines the West Coast is the coast, here, we have both! What unifies New England all together then? Well, at in the nordic skiing world, it’s that from Bethel to Boston this weekend, hollow, field, and cityscape street were all snugly fit under a thick blanket of snow.
Perched in between weekends of big races with big stakes, last weekend was a reminder that the whole project of skiing as a sport really grows out of something humble. When there’s snow on the ground, people historically, and rightfully, have always gone out to brace it together, and do so on skis. Even the biggest, most competitive fair offered last weekend, the 115th annual Dartmouth Carnival, seemed to strike the chord of reminding us all that nordic skiing is a New England tradition that grew out of that initial impulse, to brace the joys of winter together, to push because to push is fun. Elsewhere there were high school qualifier for Championship season struck up in the same vein, and from the hills of Western Maine, on up to Bangor, and down to the Weston ski track in Boston, there were skiers skiing in their own, new old fashioned New England way.
Flying Moose Classic – Bethel, Maine
With a reputation of being held in a unique (and uniquely hilly) corner of Maine, and knowing how to use it for the best course possible, the Flying Moose Classic made its return to the Bethel Inn on Sunday. The smiles on racers faces before the race were just a little wider knowing that they’d be on near perfect hardwax classic conditions, and a full day of racing saw Popular racers take in a full course before leading to a snowy Bill Koch League racing conclusion.
Race for Snow – Boston, Massachusetts
The Race for Snow was founded by the Junior Racers at EMXC, and is still put on with their enthusiasm, and experience as some of our Eastern Cup and Eastern High School/U16 competitors each year. It’s also a fundraiser to benefit Protect Our Winters (the auction is still open HERE), and builds on the momentum behind bringing a vibrant night racing scene to Boston (reminder that there’s also a Tuesday night series there that’s ongoing!).
This year’s Race for Snow was another success, with nearly 100 racers taking in a great race for a great cause under the city lights!
Great Caribou Bog Classic Race – Orono, Maine
from Race Director Dan Baumert
The Great Caribou Bog Skate Race is this weekend! Registration is open here.
The 2025 Great Caribou Bog Classic Ski Race took place in Orono, Maine on Saturday Feb. 8th under a bluebird ski, temps in the teens and low 20s and fabulous snow conditions. The 10k lap course was well groomed with good cover over the entire course. 43 registered and 39 finishers participated in the race. The goal of this race is to offer a ski race event of all ages skills and abilities. The ages ranged from 19 to an 88 year old M12 class skier. Skier abilities ranged from first time racers to season veteran NENSA Marathon/Zak Cup series racers. Another main theme of the Great Caribou Bog Ski Races is that folks just have fun. All the smiles seen on the faces of the racers was a testament to fun had by all. A blog written by Damian Bolduc, the overall winner of the 30K, reflects the experience of one racer HERE.
Even the aid station was festive as it feature a Caribbean theme with pink flamingos and tropical vegetation. A team of 20+ volunteers insured the race ran smoothly from parking cars to developing the final timing results.
The Caribou Bog Outdoor Center served as race headquarters and venue for the awards and raffle presentation. The top three overall male and female winners in each race received a wooden engraved award that were made from 300 year old hemlock pilings that supported an elevated trestle of the old Veazie railroad. Parts of the race course was on the old Veazie railroad grade.
