This event is dependent on favorable weather and snow conditions. Check back here for confirmation before you head up to the mountain. We will try to make any cancellation decision by Thursday, February 19.
Times
Individual starts from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Courses close 2:00 pm
Event overview
We are set for ski-orienteering again this year at Teacup Lake. Why not try a little orienteering in the snow? Teacup is always a great place to ski. And even if you ski there regularly ski orienteering gives you a different way of experiencing Teacup Lake. Beginners at orienteering are welcome, as always.
The cabin at Teacup Lake will be our event headquarters.
Sno-park permits are required to park at the trailhead, and participants should also obtain a Teacup Lake trails pass.
All participants must check out at the results download table before leaving the area, even if you do not finish the course or are returning after the course closes.
Contact: Meet director Mike Bruns
Course setter's notes
All controls are on groomed ski trails. Some route choices will include options to take shortcuts between groomed trails using single-tracks that will be marked on the map and will be pre-skied before the event.
All skiers must follow the one-way restrictions on the map and follow any DO NOT ENTER signs posted by Teacup Lake Nordic Club.
Courses
The race format is Score O with individual starts: visit as many controls as you can in 90 minutes from the time you start. Controls have different point value depending on difficulty. Highest score wins, and the finish time is used to break ties.
The game of this type of orienteering event is to maximize your score based on how fast and how far you would like to travel. A smart route choice is usually one that minimizes the distance travelled to reach as many controls as possible. Figuring out which controls to skip is part of the puzzle. Beginner and Intermediate skiers: be aware of steep downhill trail sections. These are marked on the map and they may affect your route selection.
Rules:
Obey One-Way and Do Not Enter directional signs. The one-way trails are also marked on the map
10 point penalty per minute for late finish after 90 minutes.
Ski rentals
If you don't own skis, no worries. There are several local stores that offer Nordic ski rentals including:
Mountain Shop (1205 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97232)
Registration and other costs
Orienteering SKI-O event fees:
We are hoping to rein in some young skiers so we are making registration FREE for all Youth (17 and under) competing without an adult.
Adult registration fees are $7.00 for individuals and $12.00 for groups of up to 6 participants.
E-sticks* will be available to use for no charge for this event.
* Small electronic devices that allow each orienteer to record their visit to each control
Teacup trail fee: $25 for the day if you are not a Teacup Lake Nordic season pass holder. You can buy onsite or ahead of time at this link: Teacup Nordic
Sno-Park pass: $4-$5 for the day, can buy several places in Sandy and outdoor stores in Portland
Stop at a local merchant to buy a day permit for $4-5 on the way up to the mountain. Shell gas (Sandy), Fred Meyer (Gresham or Sandy), Joe’s Donuts (Sandy), and many others
Map and directions to event
45.32024, -121.6244 - Latitude longitude coordinates (in decimal degrees format) to the event site.
Copy/paste these into Google maps or a phone mapping app to get a map and driving directions.
Driving Directions
From Portland, take US Hwy 26 east towards Mt Hood, and pass through Government Camp
Roughly 2 miles after Government Camp, exit onto OR-35 N/State Route 35 N toward Hood River
The Teacup Nordic Sno-Park is on the right, about 8 miles northeast of this junction.
Driving Directions (alternate, see Travel Tips below)
From Portland, take I-84 east to Hood River. Take exit 64
Travel south on OR-35 about 31 miles
The Teacup Nordic Sno-Park is on the left. Drive past the jersey barrier and enter the Sno-Park from the top (south) end.
NOTE: You must purchase a sno-park permit on the way to the mountain and bring it with you. Sno park permits are are NOT sold at Teacup.
Chains Required
Check road and weather conditions in advance. https://tripcheck.com/
ODOT typically requires chains or traction tires if it is snowing. Bringing chains/traction tires is always a good idea no matter what conditions during the winter. More info at https://www.oregon.gov/odot/mct/pages/chains-and-traction-tires.aspx
Travel Tips
Low snow conditions have prevailed up until now, so there is the possibility of a lot of skiers with pent-up demand trying to get to Mt Hood Meadows on Sunday morning. The winter season traffic delay between Zigzag and Mt Hood Meadows is called “The Govy 500” and can add significant travel time. This may start to appear on Google maps Traffic layer by 8 am if it going to happen. Take the alternate route through Hood River to avoid it.
Parking Tips
The Teacup Nordic Sno-Park can fill to capacity on weekend mornings. On a bluebird day in early season, this can happen as early as 9 am. Here are some options to improve your chances of getting space to park:
Come early, arrive before 9 am
Come late, arrive after 11 am when the first shift is leaving and freeing up spaces
Troll for a space, you’ll eventually get one, and when you do we will still be there to get you on the orienteering course
For the extremely fit and energetic, you can park 2 miles to the north at Pocket Creek Sno-Park and ski the ungroomed but marked trail from there to the Teacup Nordic trail system. This is a 2.5 mile (1 hour) ski with 500 ft climb, For returning to your car, it’s downhill almost all the way. This option works for classic skis and is terrible for skate skis.