26km Classic Great Bear Chase

Call it "old school." Call it "retro." We call it the traditional way to ski and see the countryside. The 26km classic race features lycra-clad racers who want the traditional experience of a half-marathon, as well as those who like to "tour" for a morning rather than race in packs with Gu stapled to their bibs.

Many master skiers and serious recreational skiers, use the Great Bear Chase 26 km classic as their goal for the season. Other recreational skiiers try the 26 km classic to see if they can ski 26km all at once. Whatever your reason, the Bear Chase 26 km classic is a perfect season-ending goal.

Classic skiiers get a head start at the Great Bear Chase, with a 20 minute lead on the first freestyle wave. Many classic skiiers will reach the first aid station and be headed up the Bear Chase Loop before the first group of freestylers flies by. This makes that first 8km, which trends downhill, a pleasure to ski.

The 26km course climbs the sledding hill at the Swedetown Chalet about 1km into the race. The next 7 km is relatively flat, with a downhill trend. Skiers begin the 4 km steady uphill just before reaching the first aid station. After the steady uphill, the course features rolling terrain with a flat straghtaway into a downtown Calumet finish.

The Great Bear Chase features chip timing and results are posted as races finish.

26-km Classic Age Divisions: 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over