STORY AN PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Wanted: Volunteers and spectators for the Sun Valley Super Tour.

The elite cross-country ski competition is luring Nordic skiers at the highest elite level, including top collegiate athletes from the western region and juniors looking to qualify for the 2023 Junior Nationals in March.

Among the competitors Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s XC Gold Team.

“It’s always super fun to race at home and see the community out supporting cross country skiing,” said Katie Feldman, who grew up in Ketchum and is a member of the SVSEF XC Gold Team.

The competition takes place Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 8-11 at Lake Creek just north of Ketchum’s Hulen Meadows neighborhood.

“Hosting a Super Tour is a big opportunity for our program and our community,” said Rick Kapala, co-chief of competition with Kelley Yeates. “It really helps us showcase what makes our valley so special when it comes to cross-country skiing but also all winter recreation. Events like this add a significant boost to our tourism income and hopefully we will see winter visitors come back during our equally glorious summertime.”

“Sun Valley is probably the most beautiful place I have raced in,” added Finn O’Connell, a member of the Bridger Pro Team in Bozeman, Mont. “I love the courses and especially like racing at altitude and the Sun Valley courses are a real test.”

TODAY

Athletes will have the opportunity to ski Lake Creek trails today.

THURSDAY--Classic Mass Start Distance Races

10 a.m. FIS Super Tour Men 15K, the FIS Super Tour Women 15K, the FIS Junior Boys and FIS Junior Girls 10K, and the USSS U16 Boys and USSS U16 Girls 5K.

FRIDAY

Athletes inspect the course.

SATURDAY--Classic Individual Sprint Races

9:30 a.m.—Classic Sprint Qualifier for FIS Senior, Junior and U16 Women, FIS Senior, Junior and U16 Men.

11 a.m. Classic Mass Start Distances Races for U14 Boys and U14 Girls, 3 K, U12 Boys and U12 Girls 2K.

11:30 a.m. U16 Girls and U16 Boys B/A Finals

Noon—FIS Super Tour Sprint Heats Women and Men

1:45 p.m. Junior Girls and Junior Boys Sprint Heats

SUNDAY—Freestyle Interval Start Distance Races

9 a.m.—FIS Super Tour and Junior Women 10K, FIS Super Tour and Junior Men 10K, U16 Girls, U 16 Boys, U14 Girls, U14 Boys, U12 Girls, U12 boys.

The event is a joint competition of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Intermountain Cross Country and the USSS Super Tour.

Spectators and volunteers must use the shuttle system from Hulen Meadows Parking Lot a half-mile south of the Lake Creek venue on Highway 75. Shuttles will start at 6:30 a.m. and continue through the conclusion of each day’s events.

To volunteer, go to: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/87003131279770018/false#/invitation

To learn more, go to https://svsef.org/sun-valley-super-tour/