BY KAREN BOSSICK

The 51st Boulder Mountain Tour is coming up on Saturday. And there are plenty of ways even non-racers can take part.

Four days of events kick off this afternoon with the NordicTown Sprints at the Simplot Lot in Ketchum. And they continue through Demo Day on Sunday at the Sun Valley Nordic Center.

The race itself will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, with 800 skiers toeing the line at Galena Lodge before racing 34 kilometers down the Harriman Trail to the finish line across the highway from the SNRA Headquarters.

Defending champion Peter Wolter, a member of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Gold Team, will be back in the country after racing on the World Cup circuit in Europe. But he is weighing whether to defend his title or focus on his next World Cup start in Canmore, Alberta, in mid-February.

Teammate Mariah Bredal, who recently took a fourth and a tenth in the Craftsbury Super Tour races in Vermont, is likewise weighing whether to test herself on her home turf or save it for her first World Cup start in Canmore.

Speed records could fall at this year’s Boulder Mountain Tour if this week’s record warm 50-degree temperatures were to continue. But Mother Nature is going to make waxing and other decisions difficult what with a forecast of snow mixed with rain today followed by snow on Friday and a chance of snow on Saturday.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, FEB. 1

4:15-5:30 p.m. NORDICTOWN SPRINTS

This is a great spectator sport as racers go round and round an oval track on the Simplot Lot across from the Ketchum Post Office. Do dress warm, as it can get cold when the sun dips behind the mountain.

Devo Team races will be held at 4:15 p.m.; Prep Team Family Relay, at 4:30 p.m.; Para Class, at 4:45 p.m. and Elite Class at 5:15 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 2

10 a.m.-7 p.m. RACE BIB PICKUP AND EXPO

The expo at the Limelight Hotel in Ketchum will feature products from event sponsors and local vendors, as well as expert advice on trails and equipment.

SATURDAY, FEB. 3

10 a.m. FULL COURSE ZIONS BANK BOULDER MOUNTAIN TOUR starts at 10 a.m. at Galena Lodge and the Charley Course Half Boulder will start at Baker Creek at 11:45 a.m. Elite racers are expected to begin crossing the finish line shortly after 11 a.m. at the end of the Harriman Trail across from SNRA Headquarters.

Free shuttles will take spectators from Ketchum to the start at Galena Lodge between 9 and 9:30 a.m. from Hemingway STEAM School, 111 8th St. East in Ketchum.  Spectator buses will then leave Galena for the finish area at 10:15 and 10:45 a.m.

Spectators who wish to drive their own vehicle may park on Barlow Road, a quarter-mile south of the finish area. A free shuttle bus will run continuously from Barlow Road between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

5-7 p.m. BMT AWARDS CELEBRATION

The Block Party will be held at Ketchum Town Square. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and there will be party tunes.

7-11 p.m. BOULDER BASH will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at Whiskey on Main. It will include drink specials and dancing to the Kris Lager Band. No cover charge for BMT participants.

SUNDAY, FEB. 4

10 a.m.-3 p.m. DEMO DAY

Industry representatives will trot out the latest Nordi gear for people to try outside of the Sun Valley Nordic Center, and there will be free trail passes for all participants. Food and beverages will be available.