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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula January 19, 2007 Text and photo © 2007 Keweenaw Land Trust Press Release. Reprinted with permission.

TalviTohinat Ski Race To Feature Skijoring Jan. 20

HOUGHTON -- The U.S. National Nordic Skiing championships recently drew many of the country’s best skiers to Houghton. On Saturday, Jan. 20, local residents have their own chance to race at the Michigan Tech Trails in the Keweenaw Land Trust’s (KLT) second annual TalviTohinat Nordic ski race. TalviTohinat, Finnish for a "Winter Scramble," is a community fitness event open to all: 10 and 5 km cross-country ski races, a 2.5 km youth race and -- new this year -- the only organized skijoring race in the Keweenaw. Skijoring is a unique event in which one or more dogs pull each skier.

"Imagine dog sledding without the sled," said KLT President Erik Lilleskov. 

Afton Sather-Knutsen and his dog, Lua, train at the MTU Nordic Ski Trails for the TalviTohinat skijoring race to be held Saturday, Jan. 20, on the MTU Trails. (Photo © 2007 Erik Lilleskov. Reprinted with permission.)

Race registration is at Noon Saturday, Jan. 20, at the MTU Trails (MTU Nordic Training Center). Race times are as follows: 2.5 km youth race, 1 p.m.; 10 km freestyle race, 1:30 p.m.; 5 km freestyle race, 1:35 p.m.; 4 mile skijoring race, 2:30 p.m.; awards, raffle and refreshments, 4 p.m. 

The first annual TalviTohinat in 2006 drew approximately 100 racers. KLT Executive director Evan McDonald said he hopes that turnout will be even better this year.

"Skiers had such a great time last year that we expect a lot of returning skiers," McDonald noted. "We are also hoping for more skiers to come from outside the area this year. The skijoring race is a unique opportunity in the U.P., and should be really fun to ski in and to watch." 

This event, part of the Heikinpäivä Mid-Winter Festival, is a fundraiser for the Keweenaw Land Trust. KLT is a non-profit organization founded by local citizens to protect our natural heritage and quality of life through land conservation, stewardship and education. Proceeds from this event will help fund KLT’s land protection and stewardship program that builds partnerships with local governments and conservation organizations in order to promote public access and protection of recreational and heritage lands in the Keweenaw. KLT’s activities include stewardship of existing preserves at the Manitou Island Light Station, Six Mile Creek, Paavola Wetlands and the Marsin Preserve and Retreat Center on the Portage Waterway. KLT is currently expanding its Paavola Wetlands Preserve along the US-41 Scenic Byway. KLT also works with willing landowners to develop land conservation agreements for private lands. 

The TalviTohinat is made possible through support of the Michigan Tech Sports and Recreation Department. Major corporate sponsorships come from Portage Health, Vesitech and ThermoAnalytics, Inc.

For more information about KLT or the race, call 482-0820 or visit the KLT Web site.

Editor's Note: Read Bryan Tyler's May 26, 2006, Keweenaw Now article on KLT, "Keweenaw Land Trust marks decade of  land, water conservation."