Pattee Canyon FREE SkiO Event for Members

Join us for a free event at Pattee Canyon recreation area in Missoula! This is our first ski orienteering event at Pattee, on a brand-new map of the ski trails. The event will be held if there is sufficient snow cover to allow for ski trail grooming. Please check back here for updates as the event approaches.

Ski Orienteering, You Say?

Yes! In ski orienteering, participants use specially designed maps to navigate between a series of checkpoints on cross-country skis. Check out this brief video of a ski orienteering race.

Use a custom-made map of Pattee Canyon ski trails and roads to find a series of checkpoints marked in terrain by orange-and-white flags. All checkpoints will be on trails, but you can choose any route you want to get there! You can try to ski hard and race for the fastest time, or go as slowly as you like, enjoying the challenge of picking the best routes and reading the map.

Equipment  We will provide specially created maps with pre-printed courses for each participant. We will also provide loaner compasses. Please return these when you are done. Please bring your own skis, boots, and poles. Any skiing style is permitted. All checkpoints are located on or near groomed ski trails, but occasional shortcuts through terrain or smaller trails may prove advantageous. 

A limited number of Ski Orienteering map holders will be available for borrowing during the event. Please email grizorienteering@gmail.com to request one ahead of time.

Courses You will be able to select from three different courses for the ski orienteering event: Short (~3km), Medium (~5km), Long (~7km). The courses are measured in straight lines. You will definitely end up skiing quite a bit further than the straight-line distance. We recommend going out individually  or in groups of no more than 2-3 so that everyone is able to get the  hang of map reading and navigation.

Date and Time

The event will take place Saturday, February 21 between 11am-2pm. You can start any time between 11am and 1pm. Please arrive at your assigned time slot in order to help us run things smoothly and safely.

Location

We will be based at the main Pattee Canyon trailhead.

Beginner Instruction Beginner instruction will be provided by several experienced orienteers. There will be an opportunity to go out on a short orienteering course together with an instructor, who will explain the basics of map reading and compass use, as well as provide you with strategies and tips for succeeding in terrain navigation. To get an idea of what to expect, take a look at the "Newcomers" section of our website: https://www.grizzlyorienteering.org/newcomers .

Equipment  We will provide specially created maps with pre-printed courses for each participant. We will also provide loaner compasses. Please return these when you are done. The compasses will be sanitized after each use. Wear clothing that is comfortable for activities in the woods and  off-trail and appropriate for the expected temperatures. Please bring your own snacks and hydration. A limited supply  of single-serving snacks will be provided. 

Registration This event is free for GrizO members, but registration is still required. Please use the "Registration" button above.

Start and Finish You will need to check in with one of our volunteers at registration  before proceeding to the start. Our volunteers will provide you with the  appropriate map, a loaner compass if needed, and a loaner electronic  timing chip and will keep track of  who is out and doing which course. When you have found all the controls  on your course, return to the finish and check in with a volunteer  there. Even if you decide to quit your course before finding all the  controls, please check in at the finish so we do not go out searching for you.

Electronic "punching"

An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch  into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation.  After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and  get a receipt that shows which controls you visited and how long you took  between each; these are your “splits.”

Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people  who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!