CITIZEN RACE OPTIONS $50 EARLY REGISTRATION through 1/15/26, $60 through 1/29/26, $70 through 2/1/25.
30k Skiathlon (15k classic, 15k skate)
30k Classic
30k Skate
15k Classic
15k Skate
MCSA COLLEGE RACE $35 FOR COLLEGE SKIERS The college teams will be scored in the 30k skiathalon (15k classic, 15k skate). College skiers may choose to enter the unscored 15k or 30k skate or classic races instead, and pay the college entry fee using the coupon code provided by your team. Click here to register, and be sure to join a team for the scored race.
MIDDLE + HIGH SCHOOL SKIERS Middle School will ski 3.5k Freestyle (skate or classic). High school will ski 7k Freestyle (skate or classic). Course map TBA. Individual youth skiers can register online, teams contact [email protected].
Welcome to the 20th Annual Ashwabay Summit Nordic Ski Race. Our race is small, but growing, and relies on a lot of dedication from local volunteers. Proceeds from the race support nordic operations which are run by the Ashwabay Alliance, a 501c(3) nonprofit that also operates Big Top Chautauqua. We hope you enjoy your visit and come back to ski, bike or catch a show!
PARKING: Parking is in the main lot and upper overflow lot. Please carpool if possible as parking is finite. Teams with vans will have designated parking along the north side of the parking lot, near the nordic trailhead.
BIB PICK UP + REGISTRATION IN THE BIG TOP TENT: This year bib pick up and registration will take place in the Carlson house on Friday 1/30 from 12pm to 5pm and the Chalet on Saturday 1/31 from 7:30am to 9am. The Carlson house is a small A-Frame house across the parking lot from the Chalet.
Middle School, High School, and College teams should send a coach or captain to pay any remaining fees and pick up the numbers for all skiers on the team. Same-day registration is available until 9:30 am. The chalet has wifi and there will be a computer available for on-site registration, which is through the online signup system.
The chalet will be available for bathrooms, a water fountain/bottle filling station, and food/drink for purchase. The Big Top tent will be Race Headquarters. It will provide space for racers to stage, a merch booth, partnership booths and a food booth. The Big Top tent will have a heater in it but anticipate cold temperatures! Bring layers!!
TEAM TENTS + DESIGNATED TEAM: Your team is welcome to set up a portable tent for your gear, wax benches, or general comfort. Please set up any tents along the Big Top Tent in the area with a sign that says “Team Tents”. College teams will also have a designated area inside the large green and blue tent to leave their gear during the race.
SKIATHALON TRANSITION: All college and citizen skiers completing the skiathlon will stage their skate skis and poles at the nordic trailhead area, located at the lower end of the parking lot. Each skier will be assigned a numbered space corresponding with their race number to leave skis, polls, water bottles or other items. Upon finishing the first 15k classic lap, ski into the transition zone to exchange your gear, leave behind your classic skis and poles, and exit at the lower trail. Please be aware of other skiers entering and leaving the area and follow the instructions of the volunteers. Don’t forget to retrieve your gear after the race!
SKIER WARM UP AREA: There is a designated warm-up area leaving from the nordic trailhead/skiathlon transition area. Look for “Warm Up” signs at the entrance to the trail called “Abbey Road”. Stop when you encounter the pink flags marking the course. The “Telford Loop” and “Beginner Loop” trails which branch off of Abbey Road can also be used for warming up. Please do not cross any pink course marking flags. Youth racers will be on the course at 9am.
COURSE: All races start just north of the chalet on the far side of the rope tow, and finish in front of the chalet. The course is marked with pink flags at all intersections, do not cross any flags or you will be off the route. The 15k races complete one lap, and finish on the RIGHT side at the finish, 30k skiers complete 2 laps and ski through the finish line on the LEFT to proceed to their second lap. Near the finish the course crosses the downhill ski area. Fencing will prevent downhill skiers from crossing the course, except at designated areas. Please be aware of cross traffic. Course maps are posted on homepage.
AID STATIONS: There are two aid stations on the course at approximately 4.5k and 9k, both offering water, electrolytes and GU. Each aid station will also have a vehicle for evacuation in case of an emergency. There is an additional water station near the start line for 30k skiers as they begin their second lap.
POST RACE FOOD: There will be bratwurst, veggie chili, and meat chili available for purchase at the Big Top tent/Race HQ. Food and drink can also be purchased at the cafe inside the chalet.
RESULTS/AWARDS/PIE: Preliminary results will be posted near the finish line, and an awards ceremony will be held in the large Big Top Tent once the results have been finalized. Awards will be presented on stage to the overall top 3 in each race, winning teams, and the top three in each age group. All skiers will also get a piece of pie at the awards ceremony.
RESTROOMS: There are restrooms inside the Ashwabay Chalet, but space is very limited. Additional porta-potties will be located in the parking lot near the Nordic Trailhead/Skiathlon transition area and outside the Big Top tent/Race HQ.
EMERENCY ASSISTANCE: The Ashwabay Ski Trails are remote and there is no road access anywhere on the trail network. Cell reception is very spotty. If you have an emergency ask another skier for help and make your way to the closest aid station. Both on-course aid stations will have vehicles that could transport an injured skier back to the start area. Please be aware that response times will be long for any emergency on the course.
TIMING/RESULTS: Timing services by Duluth Timing and Events. Results will be posted at www.ashwabaysummitskirace.com
We’ll post any updates related to the race course and conditions here, and you can also keep an eye on the Skinny Ski reports for Ashwabay.
LODGING
Bayfield has manylodging options, including some special deals for Noque skiers!
AWARDS
The overall female, male and non-binary winner of each race will receive a whole pie, and each race will also have age group awards.
Youth: Our focus is on fun and accomplishment! The top 3 girls, boys and non-binary folks in each race will receive awards. There will NOT be team awards as there are not enough racers for team scoring.
College and Adult: The overall male, female and non-binary winners for each race and winning college teams will receive a full pie.
Age group winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) will receive age group awards.
Pies are baked by locals, and donated by local businesses: Ashland Baking Company CoCos Cafe Juneberry Wonderstate
SWAG
Every skier receives a custom item Summit Race long sleeve shirt, a buff, and a piece of pie!
COURSE MAPS
FULL ROUTE
The college and citizen race course is a 15k loop marked in red, using the following trails: Anchor, Abbey Rd, Jolly, Skid Road, Northern Lights, and The Buzz. The 30k races will complete 2 laps. There are two aid stations on the course with water only, and one aid station in the start/finish areas. Ski counter-clockwise.
YOUTH MAP
Middle School will ski 3.5k Freestyle (skate or classic). High school will ski 7k Freestyle (skate or classic).
LOCATION + CONTACT
LOCATION Mt. Ashwabay Outdoor Recreation Area 32525 Ski Hill Rd, Bayfield WI 54814
8:00 AM Registration and Bib Pick Up Opens. 8:45 AM Opening Ceremony 9:00 AM – High School and Middle School Start 9:30 AM Registration Closes for College and Citizen Races 10:00 AM – College races start 10:10 AM – Citizen Races start 10:30 AM Middle School and High School Awards (or when results are ready) 12:30 PM College and Citizen Awards (or when results are ready)
Due to weather and/or course conditions, the start times may be adjusted, race distances changed, or the event cancelled. In the event of changes of cancelations, race registration fees will not be refunded.
Maybe nordic skiing is not your thing, that is ok with us! There are many other ways to support this race! Click below to sign up to volunteer! Join our Mt. Ashwabay Community for an incredible race!
WHY IT MATTERS The Summit Race is a Northwoods winter tradition, bringing skiers of all ages and levels together on Mt. Ashwabay’s trails. Sponsorship makes this event possible — keeping it affordable, accessible, and community-driven while giving your business great visibility.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS $500 – TRAIL SPONSOR Be the first tracks on the course! Includes MC acknowledgement during the race, recognition on website and social media leading up to the event, acknowledgement day-of, and option to include marketing materials in the race bag. $1,000 – GLIDE SPONSOR Keep the momentum going! Includes all Trail Sponsor benefits plus logo on event-day signage, group social media recognition, and 2 complimentary race entries. $2,500 – NORDIC CHAMPION SPONSOR Shine on race day! Includes prominent logo placement on promotional materials, verbal thanks during awards, swag bag inclusion, dedicated social post, and 4 complimentary race entries. $5,000 – SUMMIT LEADER SPONSOR Stand tall at the summit! Includes premier logo placement on website, signage, and promotional materials, dedicated social media feature, recognition during awards, and 6 complimentary race entries. $7,500 – PRESENTING SPONSOR Claim the top of the podium! Recognition as the Presenting Sponsor of the Summit Race with top billing across all promotional materials, premium signage at the start/finish, verbal recognition throughout the day, dedicated sponsor spotlight online, and 8 complimentary race entries.
Every level includes acknowledgement on the event website, social media, and at the event itself.
NORDIC AID STATION SPONSORSHIP AID STATION SPONSORSHIP We would be honored to partner with you as an Aid-Station Sponsor for the Summit Nordic Race. Your support—whether refreshments, snacks, or volunteer staffing—provides essential encouragement to our participants, and in return you’ll receive recognition on our event signage, website, and promotional materials.
PIE SPONSORSHIP PIE AWARDS We’re excited to invite local businesses and bakers to sponsor pies for the 20th Annual Summit Ski Race on January 31, 2026. Your pie sponsorship helps make our awards ceremony special—every participant receives a piece of pie and overall winners receive a full pie. In return, you’ll be recognized on event materials, our website, and at the race itself.
When you sponsor the Summit Ski Race, you’re not just backing an event—you’re fueling the energy that makes winter come alive on Mt. Ashwabay. Each turn down the course and cheer from the crowd reflects a shared love of challenge, endurance, and the beauty of the Northwoods overlooking Lake Superior. From the first snowfall to the final sprint, sponsors make it all possible—helping every racer, volunteer, and spectator feel the thrill of community in motion. To become a Summit Ski Race sponsor, contact Jackie Moore, Director of Advancement at [email protected], and join the team that keeps adventure at the heart of every Ashwabay winter.
