Historical Highlight: Frisco Gold Rush Ski Touring Race

The First Annual Frisco Gold Rush Ski Touring Race in Frisco took place on February 22, 1971. Certainly other people were there, including myself. I'm curious, were any other CMCer's there?  

It was a 10K Citizen’s Race with nearly 300 cross-country skiers sliding across Dillon Reservoir. There was a lot of snow on the reservoir, enough to confidently host an entire race on its frozen surface. The event was even featured on the front page of Colorado Magazine, a testament to the excitement it generated at the time.

We used heavy wood Nordic skis (Bonna or Splitkin-Bass) with or without metal edges and with pinetar bottoms to which we applied waxes (red to green) depending on the temperature of the snow. Bindings consisted of metal cages for hiking boots or a 3 pin binding boot setup. Wool knickers with long wool socks were the fashion of the day! Long Bamboo poles with huge baskets created a friendly “squeak” as we went along the trail.

More than five decades later, the race is still being held, though not without change. This year’s 55th running (2026) was cancelled in early March due to a lack of snow at the Frisco Nordic Center; a first in the event’s long history and a striking reminder of how conditions have shifted over time. Today, race distances range from 3K to 23K, with categories divided by age group and technique. Last year, the 39-year-old male winner of the 23K averaged an astonishing 5:16 mile pace on skis.

Still, at its heart, the race remains the same. It continues in celebration of Frisco’s mining heritage while embracing the vibrant Nordic culture supported by cross-country skiers and fans alike.

It was an incredible experience to be part of that very first race, gliding across the reservoir with a community of passionate skiers. More than anything, I still cherish my yellow participant’s ribbon, a small but meaningful reminder of a moment in time when snow was plentiful, gear was simple, and the spirit of the sport was just beginning to take shape.