John Craig Memorial Ski Race and Tour, Saturday, March 15, 2025
A skiing tradition since the 1930’s
NOTE: This is not a CONC event, although many CONC members particpate every year.
The John Craig Memorial Ski Race and Tour is an annual event that commemorates John Templeton Craig, the pioneer mailman who died during a sudden winter snowstorm on McKenzie Pass in December, 1877, in an attempt to deliver mail to the Willamette Valley. The Oregon Nordic Club conducts this annual event.
The John Craig Memorial Ski Event is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2025. It will consist of self-timed ski races of about 8 or 15 miles and casual ski tours of the same lengths leaving from the East Snow Gate of Highway 242 (McKenzie Pass Highway), about 9 miles west of Sisters, Oregon. The ski trail will be groomed for both classic and skate skiing to make this ski event possible. We plan to have course monitors, rest stops, rescue, and medical support.
Ski racers and tour participants can complete either the course of about 15 miles to the Dee Wright Memorial at the top of McKenzie Pass, a shorter course of about 8 miles to Windy Point, or turn around when you wish. The races and tours can start any time after 9 AM but must begin by 11 AM, to make sure you complete the event by 3 PM.
Registration available at: https://onc-pdx.org/events/john-craig-memorial-ski-race-and-tour-2025/
Early registration cost, before March 10 is as follows:
Adult racer or ski tourer: $20 ($25 after March 10)
Youth (under 18): $5
No need to be a member of the Oregon Nordic Club to participate.
Proceeds go to funding the ONC State Organization and associated programs.
Volunteers are also needed for this event. Every year, CONC provides a volunteer crew to help make this event a success. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ken Wenzel at 503-729-6571 or skiwenzel@hotmail.com. Volunteers are needed before the event, so they also have the opportunity to ski if desired.
Pizza Party: Beginning at 4 PM, there will be a free post event pizza party in Sisters, sponsored by NextAdventure. Details will be provided to registered participants.
Lodging: Discounted Lodging is available at the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge Sisters.
For more information, email johncraigmemorial@onc.org or contact Ken Wenzel by phone at 503-729-6571 or go to the Oregon Nordic Club Website at www.onc.org.
