Join us on Saturday, June 7, 2025 for the Black River Grand Prix & Epic presented by the Hitchhiker Bike Shop, a celebration of big loops, varied terrain, and fun on bikes in the woods. The format is simple: a mass start on one big lap (or two).
Join us on Sunday, February 23rd to give biathlon a try, no matter your experience level! New to biathlon? A novice clinic will teach you rifle safety and shooting basics that you'll need to know to complete the four stage race. Click thru for full details.
Need an opportunity to put on a bib and practice going hard? Join our low-key biathlon time trial. Read more.
Join us July 7 for the Lost Nation Roll. Come test yourself against the region’s fastest racers on the Outdoor Center’s paved rollerski loop. Athletes can choose to race either 2 laps (just over 5km) or 4 laps (just over 10km). We expect a strong field, with squads from the region’s top clubs. Click title for full details.
Half way point of the series! Come on out for a 3-5k trail run or 5-10k mountain bike. Hope you see you out there.
2024 Results and Photos
The Black River Grand Prix is growing! Join us on Saturday, June 8, 2024 for the Black River Grand Prix & Epic presented by the Hitchhiker Bike Shop, a celebration of big loops, varied terrain, and fun on bikes in the woods. The format is simple: a mass start on one big lap (or two). Want to race 12 miles of the best the Center has to offer? Enter the Grand Prix. Think it's so nice you want to do it twice? Then the Grand Epic is for you. And if racing isn't your thing and you just want a signed ride and tacos for lunch, then the Grand Tour has your name on it.
March 8 Update - After a gnarly week of warmth and rain that has eaten even much of the manmade snow, we’re canceling the Biathlon race of Sunday, March 17 - along with the rest of our scheduled XC ski racing for March.
Racers will receive a credit in Skireg they can apply to any Craftsbury event posted on Skireg between now and April 1, 2025. Credits should hit your Skireg account by the end of the weekend.
We're as disappointed as anyone by the abrupt end of racing, but we hope to see you this summer for dryland programming and racing.
-the folks at Craftsbury
Due to popular demand, we are adding some winter biathlon races for novices. Similar to our summer Singletrack Shootout event but on skis, the Bayley-Hazen Biathlon Races will include beginner clinics under the guidance of expert instructors, and races for both novices and experts. This is your chance to try this wildly popular Olympic sport!
17 Feb 24, 7:20p UPDATE - Results
Due to popular demand, we are adding some winter biathlon races for novices. Similar to our summer Singletrack Shootout event but on skis, the Bayley-Hazen Biathlon Races will include beginner clinics under the guidance of expert instructors, and races for both novices and experts. This is your chance to try this wildly popular Olympic sport!
Registration is now closed.
Zero lane assignments (for expert race)
Experienced Race Schedule:
7:45-8:45am - Bib pick-up open for Experienced Race at event barn in the stadium
8:00-8:50am - Experienced Race Zero
9:00am - Experienced Race start (wave starts)
Novice Race Schedule:
9:00-10:00am Bib pick-up open for Novice Race at event barn in the stadium
10:00am Novice safety talk and clinic (required) at the shooting range
11:00am - Novice Race start (wave starts)
Bib pick-up
Please arrive early enough to pick up your bib at the event barn before your safety clinic (novice) or zero (experts). In addition, you will be given a race number sticker that should be worn during the race on the side of your leg, just below your right hip. Please stick this on when you are inside as it helps the adhesive work better.
Novices- If you are racing the novice race, you must attend the safety and instruction clinic at 10am. We recommend you wear gloves, not mittens, as you will need dexterity to squeeze the trigger and load magazines.
Experts- Please do not bring your rifles into the ski lodge. You can store them in the event barn.
Race course
The course is 5 loops of 1.4km for adults and 0.6km for kids (see map link above). Racers will start in waves. There will be a 75m penalty loop after the range.
Courses will remain open to the public during the race and all users must travel in the direction of race traffic. Maps are posted on the skireg page. We will likelytake a slight modification to the posted kids course to send racers up “pipeline” rather than “chip hill” between the fields since it is a little less steep.
If for some reason you do not finish the race, please let race officials know and return your bib to the finish line area.
Range
Novices will shoot 4 times, only on big targets.
All experts will shoot 2 times on small targets and 2 times on big targets. Range will be split roughly in the middle with higher points set to big targets and lower points set to small targets. There will be a divider but we might shift it around slightly based on how many shooters of each type we need to accommodate at a given time, so check for it each time you come in. If you are in the adult race, those second two shooting bouts will be from the standing position. If you are a kid, you shoot everything from the prone position.
Our range has 15 targets, which is smaller than a standard biathlon range size of 30. This means only 15 people can be shooting at once. We’ve done our best to configure start waves so that we do not overflow our range capacity, however it is possible we might overflow on occassion. If you come into the range in there is no point available, stay calm and raise your hand to let range officials know. We will give you a time credit based on how long you wait and you’ll benefit from a little extra recovery time.
Carrying/Not Carrying
Beginners will NOT ski with rifles. The rifles will live on shooting mats at all times.
Experts will ski with rifles, although we will make exceptions for several of the younger expert kids. After talking with several coaches from participating clubs we feel that this will make for a more positive and safe experience. In these cases, coaches will need to help shuttle their rifles. If you are in the expert kids race and unsure if you should be carrying a rifle or not, please check in with your coach and range officials during zero and we’ll create a plan.
Awards
We will have prizes for the top 3 from each category and will do an awards ceremony after each race gets completed. We will aim to have the experts podium happen during the novice clinic. Novice podium will happen as soon as results have been compiled after the last finisher.
Vermont’s fastest high school skiers again converge on the Outdoor Center to see who will qualify to represent the state at the 2024 Eastern High School Championships and U16 Championships.
Athletes will race a 3k classic interval start in the morning, followed by a 3k freestyle interval start in the afternoon.
For race details and registration, check the VT Nordic Ski Team website.
Zipping through the ferns at the 2022 Black River Grand Prix
The Black River Grand Prix is back! Join us on Saturday, June 10, 2023 for the Black River Grand Prix, a celebration of fast racing, big loops, varied terrain, and fun on bikes in the woods. The format is simple: a mass start on one big lap. This ain’t XCO, this is VT mountain biking - flow, tech, jank, doubletrack, and even a dirt road or two - there’s something for everyone.
Race Info
The 2023 Black River Grand Prix field will head off at 9:30am on a ~25k (~16mi) course featuring nearly all the riding the Center has to offer. The race never loops back into the stadium, so once you’re gone, you’re gone (though we will have a spot close by where you can stash feeds). First one back wins. We’re playing it close to the vest when it comes to the course layout, but rest assured almost all of it will be fun (what’s a race without a little suffering, right?).
Check out this year’s Race Guide!
Price & Registration
Registration is now open at BikeReg.com
Sunday’s Grand Prix will be $40 for open racers, $25 for current college students, and $20 for juniors (ages 18 and under). $12 of every open entry fee will go towards prize money for the open category ($3 to the male and female winners, $2 for second place, and $1 for third place). Juniors are only eligible for prizes, not cash.
Craftsbury plays venue to Ford Sayre's Nordic race. Find details on NENSA's website. Need a wax shed? Call the front office to reserve - 802-586-7767. $75/day.
Runners and cyclists: Craftsbury Outdoor Center welcomes you to a couple of weeks of low-key, XC style trail races, October 18 and 25.
Make sure your membership is current (Craftsbury, Albany, and Greensboro residents receive complimentary memberships!)
Come join the fun!
Runners and cyclists: Craftsbury Outdoor Center welcomes you to a couple of weeks of low-key, XC style trail races, October 18 and 25.
Make sure your membership is current (Craftsbury, Albany, and Greensboro residents receive complimentary memberships!)
Come join the fun!
Come race the mid-January cobwebs out at the first annual Craftsbury Scramble, a freestyle team sprint for all ages - with post-race brunch.
Our summer rollers biathlon race series will kick off with a pursuit style race! The pursuit will start at 15 second intervals, based on a magic formula determined by Race Director Ethan. Missed shots incur a trip around the penalty loop. For ages U15 and up, the course will be a total of approximately 7.5k, while U13’s will race a shorter (and flatter) loop of approximately 3.75k. In order to participate in these races, individuals must be proficient on their roller skis, though they do not need to race with their rifles on their backs.
Zero - 2:00pm-2:50 all racers
Race Start - 3:00pm
Shooting Format:
U13 - P (prone target), P (prone target), P (standing target), P (standing target)
U15 - P (prone target), P (prone target), P (standing target), P (standing target)
Youth/Junior/Senior/Masters - P (prone target), P (prone target), S (standing target), S (standing target)
Penalty for each missed shot: 150m
Course: 1.5k loops for U15 and up, .75k for U13.
There will be awards at the conclusion of the race. There will also be several series-long awards!
We are still in a pandemic, please read the COC’s Covid Policy before visiting.
Online only, via Craftsbury’s scheduling app. There will be NO day of race registration. $5/person.
Start lists will be emailed on Saturday night to all participants.
Get your bib at the range during zero-ing.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Judy.
In the event that we are forced to cancel the event, we will refund participants their entry fees.
I’ve never done biathlon before. Can I come and give it a try?
We are not offering that opportunity as part of this event - but reach out to Ethan about a lesson.
Saturday August 14-Format TBD.
Our summer rollers biathlon race series will kick off with a traditional sprint race! Sprints are individual start races, with two shooting stages. Missed shots incur a trip around the penalty loop. For ages U15 and up, the course will be a total of approximately 4.5k, while U13’s will race a shorter (and flatter) loop of approximately 2.5k. In order to participate in these races, individuals must be proficient on their roller skis, though they do not need to race with their rifles on their backs.
Zero - 2:00pm-2:50 all racers
Race Start - 3:00pm
Shooting Format:
U13 - P (prone target), P (standing target)
U15 - P(prone target), S (standing target)
Youth/Junior/Senior/Masters - P (prone target), S (standing target)
Penalty for each missed shot: 150m
Course: 1.5k loops for U15 and up, .75k for U13.
There will be awards at the conclusion of the race. There will also be several series-long awards!
We are still in a pandemic, please read the COC’s Covid Policy before visiting.
Online only, via Craftsbury’s scheduling app. There will be NO day of race registration. $5/person.
Start lists will be emailed on Saturday night to all participants.
Get your bib at the range during zero-ing.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Judy.
In the event that we are forced to cancel the event, we will refund participants their entry fees.
I’ve never done biathlon before. Can I come and give it a try?
We are not offering that opportunity as part of this event - but reach out to Ethan about a lesson.
Sunday July 25-pursuit format
Saturday August 14-Format TBD
Vermont Principal’s Association HS XC state meet for D1 and D2 girls.
8:00 am
Div 2 Schools Arrive for waxing
10:00 am
Girls D2 Classic individual start race
11:00 am
Girls D2 Skate individual start race
12:00 pm
All Division 2 teams pack up, leave site
12:30 pm
Div 1 Schools arrive for waxing
2:30 pm
Girls D1 Classic individual start race
3:30 pm
Girls D1 Skate individual start race
4:30 pm
All Division 1 teams pack up, leave site
Chief of competition: Ollie Burruss
Technical delegate: Sam Osborne
Meet director: Sarah Strack
VPA liaison: Mike Kiser
See also posted VPA info and guidelines.
Vermont Principal’s Association HS XC state meet for D1 and D2 boys
8:00 am
Div 1 Schools Arrive for waxing
10:00 am
Boys D1 Classic individual start race
11:00 am
Boys D1 Skate individual start race
12:00 pm
All Division 1 teams pack up, leave site
12:30 pm
Div 2 Schools arrive for waxing
2:30 pm
Boys D2 Classic individual start race
3:30 pm
Boys D2 Skate individual start race
4:30 pm
All Division 2 teams pack up, leave site
Chief of competition: Ollie Burruss
Technical delegate: Sam Osborne
Meet director: Sarah Strack
VPA liaison: Mike Kiser
See also posted VPA info and guidelines.
For the third biathlon race of Winter ‘21 competitors will be contesting a short individual format. Similar to the previous race, we will be splitting this into two separate zero and start times. Please keep your rifles and other gear in your vehicles until it's time for your zero to help avoid congestion at the rifle racks.
P (prone target), P (standing target), P (prone target), P (standing target). 30s penalty per miss.
12:45pm - zero
1:30pm - 30s interval starts begin.
Course: 5x800m, 4k total. Map to come.
P,S,P,S. 30s penalty per miss.
12:45pm - zero
1:30pm - 30s interval starts begin.
Course: 5x1.5k, 7.5k total. Map to come.
P,S,P,S. 45s penalty per miss.
2:15pm - zero
3:00pm - 15s interval starts begin.
Course: 5x2k, 10k total. Map to come.
While we hope that things will feel "normal" out on the course during the race, things are certainly not business as usual this season.
We ask that all racers, parents, guardians, coaches, and volunteers familiarize themselves with
These documents govern our ability to host races at this time. Failure to comply with the guidelines laid out in those documents could jeopardize our ability to continue to host races, so please help us by being part of the solution!
Online only, via Craftsbury’s scheduling app.
The schedule listed above is contingent upon final participation numbers. We reserve the right to combine fields and move start times. Any changes will be made in the 48 hours leading up to the race. All races will be run as 30sec interval starts with cohorts of no more than 25 athletes at a time.
Where these will be posted is TBD.
Get your bib at the range during zero-ing.
For this event, day-use reservations are included as part of your race registration. Note that should you need to warm up or cooldown beyond the time slot of the race (30min before zero-ing thru some time post race) you’ll need to manually reserve additional time .
This is a state-mandated practice that allows us to capture contact information for all visitors to campus. THIS IS MANDATORY.
Racers needn’t buy an additional day pass to ski at Craftsbury.
State of Vermont regulations mandate that all race participants fill out two health screenings in advance of all races. The health screening survey is available here. The first screening must take place 24-48 hours before the event. For ease of data management within the organizing committee, the Outdoor Center is requiring this initial screen to be completed by 8pm the night before the race (Friday, February 26th). Failure to do so will forfeit the right to start. The day of race screen must be completed by one hour before an athlete's posted start time. For coaches and non-racer participants, your screen must be completed by 8:00am on race day. Failure to complete your screen within the mandatory window will result in forfeit of start rights (or being asked to leave the venue in the case of a coach or non-racer participant). No refunds will be given to participants who fail to fill out health screening surveys.
Maps coming.
Given that we are limited to 25 athletes at one time, all warming up and cooling down must take place OFF the race trails. These race courses are "open" and competitors are expected to yield to non-racers if necessary. Please help us by being courteous in the event that you need to pass a non-racer. If we receive complaints about racers' conduct, you will be DSQ'd and struck from the results.
Fluorinated waxes, both for grip and glide, are not permitted at the Outdoor Center at any time. This includes both applying these waxes at the venue or applying them prior to arrival at the Outdoor Center. For more information, read our fluoro policy.
At a minimum, the following measures will be in place for all races at the Outdoor Center this winter in an effort to minimize the chance of transmission of COVID19. Failure to adhere to these measures may result in loss of start rights. Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic, review complete current updates on the Outdoor Center website to find the latest event participation requirements prior to heading up to the Center.
Masks are required for all participants (racers, coaches, officials, volunteers).
Masks are not required during the strenuous parts of a warmup and during racing.
Racers need to reserve any additional COC snow time on race day via our reservation portal.
Racers do not need to wear masks during the intense part of their warm up or while racing.
Masks must be carried during races and put on promptly upon finishing.
Racers must complete two health screenings, one 24-48 hours before the race and one on race day.
Each athlete will have a mat to themselves for the whole race. If numbers demand, we’ll clean mats between competitors. One household per rifle rack.
No spectators will be allowed. This is a state law.
Parents/friends/family members/guardians are encouraged to go for a ski or walk or wait in a vehicle.
No indoor space will be open to the public.
Temporary restrooms are available in both upper and lower parking lots (including a heated toilet trailer with sinks in the upper lot).
Racers should be prepared to stage for races out of their vehicles.
No public wax space is available. If you would like to learn about renting one of our 4 private wax cabins, please email the race director.
Participants are required to adhere to proper physical distancing measures, including limiting both duration and proximity of interactions with others.
All participants must read, acknowledge, and adhere to the Racer Code of Conduct.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Judy.
In the event that we are forced to cancel the event, we will refund participants their entry fees.
We are not offering that opportunity as part of this event - but reach out to Ethan about a lesson.
NENSA and the Craftsbury Outdoor Center are excited to close out the Vermont Cup season with long distance interval starts on our Ruthie's Challenge courses. This race weekend will honor our recently departed friend Bill Henchey. Bill passed away suddenly on January 26, 2021. He was a mainstay of races at the Outdoor Center, providing an experienced guiding hand to ensure that our events were always top notch. All of us at the Outdoor Center are gutted by the loss and we're sure many of our Vermont race commnty is as well. We believe that honoring Bill with a ski race in his name is a fitting tribute to a man who gave our sport so much and expected so little.
The Bill Henchey Memorial will feature longer distance interval starts that will deviate from our usual homologated courses. Women and U16s will race on a 7.5km course, while men will race on a 10k loop. Both loops include the bulk of Ruthie's Run, a perrenial favorite trail that includes long, gradual climbs, fast descents, and rolling terrain that is quintessential Vermont cross country skiing.
While we hope that things will feel "normal" out on the course during the race, things are certainly not business as usual this season. We ask that all racers, parents, guardians, coaches, and volunteers familiarize themselves with the state Agency of Commerce and Commercial Development rules regarding racing and the Vermont Snowsports Competition Guidance. Both of these documents govern our ability to host races at this time. Failure to comply with the guidelines laid out in those documents could jeopardize our ability to continue to host races, so please help us by being part of the solution!
Head to SkiReg.com for registration.
The following schedule is tentative, contingent upon final participation numbers. We reserve the right to combine fields and move start times. Any changes will be made in the 48 hours leading up to the race. All races will be run as 30sec interval starts with cohorts of no more than 25 athletes at a time.
9:30am: U16 girl's 7.5k skate (1 lap of the Ruthie's 7.5km)
10:15am: Open women's 15k skate cohort one (2 x Ruthie's 7.5k course)
10:35am: Open women's 15k skate cohort two & masters women
9:30am: U16 boy's 7.5k skate (1 lap of the Ruthie's 7.5km)
10:15am: Open men's 20k skate cohort one (2 x Ruthie's 10k course)
10:35am: Open men's 20k skate cohort two
10:55am: Masters men 20k cohort one
11:15am: Masters men 20k cohort two
Please visit the Bullitt Timing event page for Start Lists and Seed Lists.
All non-masters racers must rent a bib and timing chip from NENSA in order to enter these events (see link for details). Bib and chip rental are not included. You must complete the season-long bib and chip rental from NENSA in addition to registering for this event. Masters racers do not need to complete the NENSA bib and chip rental, the Outdoor Center will be providing bibs and chips for masters.
All athletes and coaches must reserve their snow time via the Outdoor Center's reservation portal. This is a state-mandated practice that allows us to capture contact information for all visitors to campus. Please reserve a slot beginning with the start of your warmup and ending with the conclusion of your cool down. THIS IS MANDATORY.
State of Vermont regulations mandate that all race participants fill out two health screenings in advance of all races. The health screening survey is available here. The first screening must take place 24-48 hours before the event. For ease of data management within the organizing committee, the Outdoor Center is requiring this initial screen to be completed by 8pm the night before the race (Friday, February 19th). Failure to do so will forfeit the right to start. The day of race screen must be completed by one hour before an athlete's posted start time. For coaches and non-racer participants, your screen must be completed by 8:00am on race day. Failure to complete your screen within the mandatory window will result in forfeit of start rights (or being asked to leave the venue in the case of a coach or non-racer participant). No refunds will be given to participants who fail to fill out health screening surveys.
Ruthie’s 10k Course Map
Ruthie’s 7.5k Course Map
Given that we are limited to 25 athletes at one time, all warming up and cooling down must take place OFF the race trails. These race courses are "open" and competitors are expected to yield to non-racers if necessary. Please help us by being courteous in the event that you need to pass a non-racer. If we receive complaints about racers' conduct, you will be DSQ'd and struck from the results.
Fluorinated waxes, both for grip and glide, are not permitted at the Outdoor Center at any time. This includes both applying these waxes at the venue or applying them prior to arrival at the Outdoor Center. For more information, read our fluoro policy.
At a minimum, the following measures will be in place for all races at the Outdoor Center this winter in an effort to minimize the chance of transmission of COVID19. Failure to adhere to these measures may result in loss of start rights. Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic, review complete current updates on the Outdoor Center website to find the latest event participation requirements prior to heading up to the Center.
Masks are required for all participants (racers, coaches, officials, volunteers).
Masks are not required during the strenuous parts of a warmup and during racing.
Racers need to reserve their COC snow time on race day via our reservation portal.
Racers do not need to wear masks during the intense part of their warm up or while racing.
Masks must be carried during races and put on promptly upon finishing.
Racers must complete two health screenings, one 24-48 hours before the race and one on race day.
No spectators will be allowed. This is a state law.
Parents/friends/family members/guardians are encouraged to go for a ski or walk or wait in a vehicle.
No indoor space will be open to the public.
Temporary restrooms are available in both upper and lower parking lots (including a heated toilet trailer with sinks in the upper lot).
Racers should be prepared to stage for races out of their vehicles.
No public wax space is available. If you would like to learn about renting one of our 4 private wax cabins, please email the race director.
Participants are required to adhere to proper physical distancing measures, including limiting both duration and proximity of interactions with others.
All participants must read, acknowledge, and adhere to the Racer Code of Conduct.
In the event that we are forced to cancel the event, we will refund participants their entry fees.
Finally, racing can begin at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center! It is a few weeks later than normal, but we are so excited to invite Vermont-based juniors to join us for classic individual start racing on January 16th. We've got a 5k for U16s girls and boys and a 10k for U18/U20 women and men.
Important to note:
U20 Juniors from Vermont only for now (COVID)
25 interval starters per start block (COVID)
Closed course
No fluoros
Day use reservations required IN ADDITION TO race registrations
Per the November 13 update from the Governor, we will not be hosting any races in the immediate future. Watch the website for updates later in the winter.
Per the November 13 update from the Governor, we will not be hosting any races in the immediate future. Watch the website for updates later in the winter.
Per the November 13 update from the Governor, we will not be hosting any races in the immediate future. Watch the website for updates later in the winter.
Per the November 13 update from the Governor, we will not be hosting any races in the immediate future. Watch the website for updates later in the winter.
Per the November 13 update from the Governor, we will not be hosting any races in the immediate future. Watch the website for updates later in the winter.
