BY KAREN BOSSICK

Nordic skiers are invited to try their hand at biathlon from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today--Sunday, Feb. 2, at Sun Valley Nordic Center.

The opportunity is being offered as part of the Sun Valley Nordic Center Expo, which will offer people the chance to see and try the latest Nordic gear.

Skiers will be given electronic rifles after which they can ski a short loop. They can then test their rifle shooting prowess while their heart is beating hard, just as biathletes do.

Several people have been interested in setting up a biathlon course in Sun Valley for a few years. Among them Marc Mast, who has coached disabled biathletes here as part of his Wood River Ability Program (WRAP).

Local biathletes who have competed at a national and international level include Ntala Skinner, Max Durtschi, archer biathlete Leslie Howa and the late Jon Engen.

Boulder Mountain Tour participants will be allowed to ski the trails at Sun Valley Nordic Center for free on Sunday. A trail pass costs $10 for all others without a Sun Valley Nordic Center season ski pass.