With snow fluttering in the sky, skiers swished through dark green groves of pine forest, making the progression to and from Alta on Saturday. It was the Topaten-K, and 30 Nordic enthusiasts showed up for the final event of the local race series, the Telluride Nordic Challenge. It was also a rare chance to classic or skate ski from the ski area to Alta.

The race followed a figure-8 route, which guaranteed no repetition. While the track was perfectly groomed and snowmobile-free, there were still some sizable obstacles — steep hills. The course was steep, and the suffering was severe at times with a course elevation of 11,000 feet.

Heart rates were racing, lungs huffing and puffing, but the racers took it in stride, one ski after the other. It helped that they could recover on several speedy downhills. Returning to the ski area, skiers posted finishing times ranging from 35 minutes to an hour and a half.

“That was the hardest course yet,” said Chris Cardoza after crossing the finish line.

The feeling was shared by other skiers, but matched by a satisfaction of finishing the race, and for some speedy individuals, doing it in record-breaking times. Durango skier Miles Venzara dominated the men’s field, posting a lung-shattering time of 36:22.
Michael Swanson was the first local skier across the finish line in 39 minutes. Thalia Pryor finished first for the women, 43:16. Colten Rogers, 14, was the top kid’s finisher, 45:06.

Swanson and Pryor also prevailed as winners of the Telluride Nordic Challenge Series, a four-part race series that included the Butch Cassidy Chase in February and the Priest Lake Pursuit in January. Both Pryor and Swanson competed in all four events, with top results putting them ahead in points. Kari Distefano and Daniel Murray both finished second in the series, and were both missing at Saturday’s event.

For a prize, Pryor and Swanson each received an entry to the World Masters Cross-Country Ski Championship in Autrans, France next winter. The entry costs around $400 alone. They’ll have to fund the rest of the overseas trip themselves, but both skiers seemed likely to attend.

Most Topaten-K participants tackled the 10-kilometer course, including a brave Travis Julia who pulled his 9-month-old son in a Chariot sled, but there was also a five-kilometer option as well. There was a heavier showing of skate skiers, but classic skiers were also out. Midnite Scholtes won the 10K classic race, 53:52, running up the hills and shooting down, quicker than some skaters.

The majority of the field hailed from Telluride, with some neighboring skiers from Mancos, Cimarron and Durango. The turnout was good, similar to other local races this winter. Even better were the prizes. Everyone went away with something new.

“At the Topaten we don’t give prizes to the fastest skiers,” Deanna Drew, event organizer, said. “We give prizes to every skier.”

Pulling bib numbers from a bag, participants picked from a selection of gear including a $100 tuning gift certificate, Da Kine backpacks, headlamps, socks, long johns and more.

Each racer also received a Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb in their goody bag — which also included the usual t-shirt, energy bars and sunscreen — as part of the event’s $20 entry fee.

“I always like to do something green,” said Drew, who is Telski’s environmental program director.

The event ended with a barbecue, and with the snowfall thickening, skiers hit the slopes, or downloaded lift 10, for some final turns on the ski area.

While local competition has come to a close, there’s still plenty of Nordic skiing available on area trails. Hurry up, though, winter is winding down and the coming (we hope) sunny days will slowly destroy the Nordic track. The new track on the Valley Floor will be one of the first to go. This track is exclusive to classic skiing, skate skiing and snowshoes, and dogs are not allowed.

“Although winter feels like it is lasting forever, it will not and the tracks will melt out quickly on sunny days,” said Pryor, who sits on the Telluride Nordic Association. “It is such a gift to the community to have such great track and scenery so accessible.”

It’s also a good time to donate to the TNA, which is responsible for all the grooming of local trails, an especially hard task given the amount of snow received this winter. Drop boxes are located at trailheads. Donations can also be sent to TNA at P.O. Box 1784.

For more information, visit www.telluridenordic.com. The Nordic Center, at 728-1144, is also helpful with gear rental, lessons and information on local trails.