WINTER SPORTS -- No place in the Inland Northwest will have more cross-country skiing and snowshoeing activities this weeked than the annual Winterfest at 49 Degrees North.

The events are in the downhill ski area as well as on the nordic ski trail system.

From the endurance test of the hill climb and ski down, telemark lessons and gear demos to the night-time nordic ski tours and snowshoe walks and even a paintball biathlon race, this is one  ambitious ageda, sponsored by the resort and Mountain Gear.

Note FREE nordic trail ski passes on Saturday and $5 passes on Sunday.

Read on for the entire list of events:

Mountain Gear's Winterfest

Jan. 7-8 at 49 Degrees North

Join Mountain Gear on January 7th & 8th for WinterFest weekend at 49º North Resort and Nordic area. During the day, take advantage of free classes, a winter safety course, demonstrations, and gear demos.

Stick around for live music, a bonfire, BBQ and night-time ski and snowshoe tours.

Saturday Frontside

7:30 am EPIC Hill Climb registration in the lodge

8:30 am EPIC Hill Climb – This year we are offering two courses: Top of chair one (1832’) or the top of chair two(988’). You pick your route and human powered mode of transport and we pick your prizes… Awards at 10.

9 am Demos: Telemark, AT, Alpine and Snowboards (split too) until 2 pm Try out the latest gear from all of our vendors (Tele, AT, Alpine and Snowboards)

10 am Open Gates: Come to the top of Mares Gold and show your stuff with a run through the race gates – everyone welcome… Run them as many times as you would like until noon, helmets required. free

10 am Intro to telemark skiing – this is the time to give it a try. This class will be based on skier level and is open to anyone wanting to try. 1 hour, free

1 pm Intro to telemark skiing – this is the time to give it a try. This class will be based on skier level and is open to anyone wanting to try. 1 hour, free

2 pm Snow Sculpting – Kids grab your parents and Sculpt. Get the family together and build a sandcastle in the snow.

2:30 pm Motorboat tears it up. Stop by to hydrate and groove to the sounds of one of the northwest’s greatest bands.

Sunday Frontside

9 am Demos: tele / AT until 2 pm Try out the latest gear from all of our vendors!

10 am Intro to telemark skiing – this is the time to give it a try. This class will be based on skier level and is open to anyone wanting to try. 1 hour, free

Rooms Available At The Learning Center

$15 Per Person

Call to Reserve now: 509-935-7400

Check out all the events in the Nordic area…

Saturday Nordic – Free trail pass

10 am Demos: xc / snowshoe until 3 pm -Check out the latest in the Nordic world

10 am Cross Country Ski Lesson - Free introduction to skiing

10 am Avalanche Class Meeting @ Yurt Field exercise for the Friday night class

Noon Transceiver training and competition - This will show you how and then how fast – pick up some time-tested tricks in this fun class.

11 am Skate Lesson - Free introduction to skating

1 pm XC ski tour off the top - We will take the lift up and ski back through the woods on an exciting and fun-filled trip (intermediate-advanced). This is a once-a-year event.

1 pm Snowshoe tour - Have a fun romp though the woods – and learn something, too!

2 pm Cross Country Ski Lesson - Free introduction to skiing

3 pm Skate Lesson - Free introduction to skating

3 pm Bonfire starts at the Nordic area - Bring the hot dogs and s’mores – we’ll provide the fire just outside the yurt.

4 pm Night Cross Country Ski Tour – bring your headlamp - Must experience – easy, fun ski

4 pm Night Snowshoe Tour – bring your headlamp - Must experience – easy, fun snowshoe

Sunday Nordic – Trail pass $5

10 am Demos: xc / snowshoe until 2 pm - Check out the latest in the Nordic world

10 am Cross Country Ski Lesson - Free introduction to skiing

11 am Races start – Classic, Skate (both 5k) and Snowshoe (3k) races until noon. These races are independent starts – you may register and start your race anytime between 11 and Noon
11 am Skate Lesson - Free introduction to skating

1 pm Biathlon – Ski/Snowshoe and Paintball - Ski/snowshoe to pre determined shooting sights, plug your target with a paintball and move on – timed event

1:30 pm Cross Country Ski Tour - Head out into the wilds around the Nordic area on a fun guided tour

1:30 pm Snowshoe Tour - Have a fun romp though the woods - and learn something, too!

2 pm Awards At the Yurt