Wasatch Citizen Series XC, back on track with new snowfall

Cross Country Skiing in Northern Utah. Photo: Eric Ward

PARK CITY, Utah — The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) is now ready, willing and able to continue with its popular Wasatch Citizen Series community cross-country ski races back on.

On the first scheduled date of Dec. 23, the group was ready and willing, but unable to proceed due to a lack of snow.

The nonprofit club was formed in 1990 as an alliance between the Park City Nordic Club and the Utah Nordic Ski Association. It offers skiing and racing, with junior race programs, year-round training programs for all ages, trail grooming, and a race series.

TUNA offers recreational and social activities year-round. The club also maintains a yurt in the Uinta Mountains.

The Wasatch Citizens Series (WCS) is a cross-country ski race series that started in 1979. In the 1998/99 season, 265 individuals participated in at least one event, with an average attendance of about 115.

By the 2009/10 season, those numbers had increased to over 500 individuals participating, with an average attendance of almost 260. Most active racers live in Salt Lake City and Park City areas, with an age distribution between less than 5 and over 70.

TUNA also sponsors the White Pine/TUNA Relay each winter with the White Pine Touring Center. This is a handicapped event in which each team has an equal chance of winning and which rewards skiers who are improving.

This season’s ill-fated first WCS race was scheduled to be held at Soldier Hollow (SOHO) in Midway. 

2024 schedule

• Sat., Jan. 6, White Pine Farm, Classic Skiing, Interval Start
• Sat. Jan. 20, SOHO, Free/Skate Skiing, Wave/Mass Start
• Sat. Feb. 10, Mountain Dell, Classic Skiing, Interval Start
• Sat. Feb. 24, Mountain Dell, Free/Skate Skiing, Interval Start
• Sat. March 9, White Pine Farm, Free/Skate Skiing, Wave/Mass Start

All races are 10k for adults, 5k for recreational division and older masters, 1k, 2k, and 3k for youngest juniors. The March 9 race is 20k, 7k for recreational division and older masters, 1k, 2k, and 3k for youngest juniors.

Wave/Mass Start: Age groups start together.
Interval Start: Each person starts alone and skis against the clock (the historically traditional Nordic ski race used on our narrower courses).