Who Am I?
Skinny Ski History
Where is Waldo?
XC skiing in Minnesota
Cross-country skiing around the world
The Olympics
Potluck Picnic!
100
I came to the US in 1968 to study Agriculture. I coached the University of Minnesota women's cross-country team to 2 national titles. I am a strong advocate for snow-making machines on trail systems in Minnesota (particularly the metro trails). I recently retired, but never slow down!
Ahvo Taipale
100
Where in the world were the earliest pair of cross-country skis found?
China, from the Han Dynasty.
100
So many trees to choose from: Oak, Spruce, Aspen, White Pine, the trails here are always groomed so sublime. My favorite is Sally's and perhaps Little Joe, since they take me to view babbling river below. Then down the hill to meet the North Star bunch, in the cozy warming house to eat my lunch.
After Hours
100
What does this pin represent?
The Victoria Jonathan Chaska Race.
100
In the Norwegian Birkebeinnerennet race, what item are racers required to carry and why?
Skiers are required to carry a 3.5 kg (or 7 pound) weight on their backs to commemorate the weight of Prince Haakon as he was carried to safety.
100
When did cross-country skiing first become an Olympic Sport, and which city was the Olympic host for that game?
Chamonix, France, 1924
100
Where are the trails dedicated to Norm Oakvik located?
The Flower Garden Trails at Theodore Wirth Park.
200
I retired from cross-country ski racing in 2016, but am still ranked first in the all-time Cross-Country World Cup rankings for Women, with 114 individual victories. I was born in Trondheim, Norway.
Marit Bjorgen
200
Every year at the American Birkebeinner Race, 3 people are chosen to dress in costume and represent
these 3 historic figures.
1. Queen Inga holding her baby Prince Haakon, 2. Torstein a Birkebeinner warrior, and 3. Skjervald, also a Birkebeiner warrior, both protecting and leading them to safety.
200
So many loops are waiting for me! As I cross Troll's Bridge onto Hug-a-Tree. There's Griz, Druid and Ole Lake, which of these trails should I take? Next a warm sauna and a jump through the ice, what a wonderful winter paradise!
Camp du Nord
200
This is the oldest continuous cross-country ski race
in Minnesota.
The Marine O'Brien Ski Race, started in 1971.
200
Name for cross-country skiing in Germany
Langlaufen
200
What are the 2 parts of the Nordic Combined event in the Winter Olympics?
Ski Jumping, and Cross-country ski race
200
In the old days after a snow,
Through the woods we would eagerly go.
With snow to our knees, striding forth on our skis,
We would lay our own track through the trees.
But, did we ever imagine fully,
When the track would be set by ___________.
Pistenbully
300
I left a bequest to the North Star Ski Touring Club which helps to develop and maintain ski trails, and supports and promotes cross-country skiing in Minnesota
Norm Oakvik
300
Prior to waxes being sold in stores-- which of these "home cooked" kick wax ingredients did skiers NOT put on their skis ? a) herring b) Cheese, c) melted phonograph records, d) ear wax, e) animal blood f) glue
e) Glue.
300
Early Winter is here, so lets Rendezvous and enter “Ski to the Sun”!
We will cross this Big Valley. Later we will visit the cool general store or the new local brew pub!
Methow Valley or Mazama
300
What popular piece of fitness equipment was invented in Minnesota in 1975 and what was the inventor training for when he invented it?
NordicTrack, invented in 1975 by Ed Pauls in Chaska Minnesota. He claims he invented it to train for the Victoria, Jonathan, Chaska race.
300
This is a traditional food item served at rest stops in both the Swedish and Minnesota Mora Vassalopet races?
Blueberry Soup
300
This cross-country skier from Norway won more Olympic gold medals and total Olympic medals than any other male cross-country skier.
Bjorn Daehle
300
In Montana, there is a saying that ..."When it is time to use this, it is time to go fishing!"
Klister
400
I am on the board of the North Star Ski Touring Club and my wife, Melissa (who also likes to XC ski), is a Minnesota State Senator.
Craig Wiklund
400
Norwegian records dating back to 1555 describe ski touring using fawn skins for grip. Name the animal which still lends its coat to some skin skis today?
Angora goats. The fur from Angora goats (Mohair) is still an option in addition to artificially manufactured nylon fibers.
400
A Rootin' Tootin' time can be had by all, who wax their skis and heed the call. There are choo-choo signs and Mother North Star, and an evening show with song and guitar. Après ski the hot tub calls, to soothe aches and bruises from my falls.
Maplelag
400
In February, 2024, the American Birkebeinner Ski Race in Cable, WI celebrated what anniversary?
50th
400
What is the name of the Italian World Cup Loppet Race (established in 1973)?
Marcialonga
400
This US Olympian in 1974 was credited with introducing the United States to freestyle skiing?
Bill Koch from Guillford, VT
400
What is the tagline for the online site Skinnyski.com which not only provides trail reports, but also news and photos of local races and events?
"Narrow Skis, Wide Coverage"
500
I am in the Canadian Hall of Fame and am often credited for bringing the sport of cross-country skiing to North America. A trail in the Adirondacks is named in my honor. I was born near Oslo, Norway but lived to age 111, mostly in Quebec. Most people know me by the nickname given me by the Cree Indians, which described the way I ski!
Jackrabbit Johannsen.
500
In 1946, Swix Wax, created what revolutionary idea for its kick wax?
Swix created the sytem of color-coding waxes to the snow temperature and conditions.
500
I ski a long way before making a turn, passing many small lakes before I return. Past Spruce Lake and Doctor where I break for a snack. Before cooling down I am back on the track! I exit the woods at Amen Lake Trailhead, and start the "Long March" back to dinner and bed!
Suomi Hills
500
How many annual Minnesota Ski Passes are sold each year in Minnesota? (not counting day passes)
a) a little over 5000 b) a little over 10,000, c) a little over 20,000
Just over 10,000
500
There are now 19 official Worldloppet Ski Races around the world. Which of these countries does not host a Worldloppet Race?
a) China, b) Poland, c) Iceland, d) Australia, e) Argentina?
c) Iceland. Iceland has no Worldloppet Race
500
Name 1 of the 3 cross-country skiers from Minnesota who competed in biathalon events at the 2022 Beijing Olympics?
Leif Nordgren, Jake Brown or Paul Schomer
500
What cause has Jessie Diggins strongly advocated for, and on what non-profit board (whose mission addresses this issue) does she serve?
Climate Control. She is on the Board of "Preserve Our Winters"
600
I was the only cross-country skier ever to appear on a box of Wheaties.
.
Alf Engen, from Norway, had his picture on a Wheaties box in 1936, and the Olympic Committee then disqualified him from competing in the 1936 Olympics claiming that this nullified his amateur status (though he only received cereal as payment)!
Engen was known primarily for his record setting jumps, but also won national titles in cross-country skiing as well as alpine skiing.
600
What is the name of the indigenous Arctic people that are believed to have been using cross-country skis 6000 years ago?
Sami people. (Will also accept Laplanders).
600
I start out by climbing on the Gladiator Loop, and after an hour, I am feeling pretty pooped. I try following Psycho, and then if I dare, the black diamond trail that is called "Rip and Tear". I can also ski Harriman all the way back, BUT if it is energy I lack, I watch people and dogs from the fun Lodge and CHEER, for the wonderful beauty, great soup and beer!
Sun Valley/Galena Lodge
600
Minnesota's Mora Vassaloppet and Wisconsin's American Birkebeinner are both races that were inspired by races of the same name originating in Sweden and Norway. What other race, held in Minnesota for 40 years, was inspired by one of the same name which originated elsewhere?
Finlandia in Bemidji, MN
600
What are the requirements for becoming a World Loppet Master?
After completing Worldloppet races in 10 different countries, at least one of them on another continent, the skier becomes a Worldloppet Master.
600
Name the 2 Minnesota cross-country skiers who competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics (excluding skiers in the biathalon.)
Jessie Diggins
Jon Soto Moreno (skied for Mexico)
600
What close family relative of the British Royal Family completed the 56 mile Mora Vasaloppet cross-country ski race in Sweden?
Pippa Middleton and her brother James in 2012 both completed the Mora Vassaloppet race in Sweden, raising money for the charitable cause, "Magic Breakfast" to end childhood hunger. This was 1 year after Pippa appeared as a bridesmaid in their sister Kate Middleton's and Prince William's wedding.
700
Our family has owned and operated Maplelag Resort since the mid-1970s. While I passed away this past August after a stroke, my son and his family continue to run Maplelag.
Jim Richards
700
What is the nickname for the WWII 99th Infantry Battalion which was made up of Norwegian speaking men recruited and trained to cross-country ski while at Camp Ripley and Fort Snelling? Also, What was there mission?
The "Viking Battalion" whose original mission was to liberate Norway. After basic training at Fort Snelling, they continued their training at Camp Hale.
700
I am on this lake visiting the Joyce Estate.
Trout Lake, on the Suomi Hills trip.
700
In what year did cross-country skiing become a competitive high school sport in Minnesota?
The Minnesota State High School League added cross-country skiing to its tournament in 1933, the year after the first regional high school ski meet.
700
What is the name of the Australian Worldloppet Race?
The Kangaroo Hoppet
700
What is the only Nordic ski event not open to women in the Olympic games.
The Nordic Combined (combining ski jumping and cross-country ski racing).
700
Name 1 of the 2 American Cross-Country skiers who "carried the flag" for the US in a Winter Olympic opening ceremony?
Bill Koch in 1980, or Todd Lodwick, 2014
800
I was Jessie Diggins teammate at the Winter Olympics, and in 2018 at the Winter Olympics, Jessie and I were the first American women ever to medal in Cross-country skiing.
Kikkan Randall
800
What was the name of the distinguished Army Division in WWII which trained in the mountains of Colorado to climb, cross-country and alpine ski, for the purpose of breaking the German defensive line in the mountains of Italy?
The 10th Mountain Division 
800
The terrain is steep, but it is worth the hard climb, since the view from the mountain top is simply sublime. For a gentler ski, I try Eva’s single track, along the river--for sure I'll be back! I stop to get warm at their cute warming huts, where they sometimes even stash cookies and nuts!
Stokely Creek
800
The Minnesota North Star Club's newsletter is called the "Loype". What does Loype mean in Norwegian?
Path or way forward
800
This statue in Morgedal, Norway, honors Sondre Norheim What is known for?
Sondre Norheim, the "Pioneer of Telemark Skiing" from the region of Telemark, Noway. He is pictured here in his home town of Morgedal, but is buried in North Dakota.
800
This is the only woman from Minnesota to have competed in the Olympic Biathalon event
Joan Guetschow in 1992 and 1994. She is a graduate of Hopkins High School, and was an "All American Swimmer".
800
Where is there a trail system named in honor of former North Star member Tim Knopp?
Banadad
900
I have been a long time member of the North Stars, and when I'm not skiing, visiting a museum, or taking a road trip, I like to dance. I have been on the board of Tapestry Dance Studio and even was the caller for a couple of club Contra Dances at the Czech Hall in St. Paul.
Bruce Nelson
900
Herr Ostbye invented this stuff
In late winter when the snow was quite rough.
While I admit that I’m quite a resister,
To Spring ski, I need that darn
______________.
Klister. For better or worse, Norwegian inventor Peter Ostbye is considered the inventor of Klister in 1936.
900
Little House in the Big Woods:
Once upon a time there was a small house, and in that house there was a mouse, or many mice as the case may be, BUT...what a lovely place it was to ski!
So the skiing was great, but the shack was bare bones,
yet on a cold night, it was home sweet home.
Namadji Hilton
900
What Minnesota company contributed to the production of the first Flurocarbon waxes?
3M. round the mid-80s, 3M sold perfluorocarbon liquid in five-gallon drums to Terry Hertel, a recreational skier from California, to be mixed with a a high-strength candle wax and create a hard block wax he called Racing 739.
900
Which of these elite international athletes claim to enjoy cross-country skiing in their free time?
a) Soccer star Lionel Messi b) Formula One driving champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, c) Olympic gymnast Olga Korbut, d) Australian Cricket Team Captain Pat Cummins, e) Pro Golfer Rory McIlroy
b) British Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton. When not burning rubber and screeching his tire for the Mercedes team, he said "Cross-country skiing is one of the greatest workouts I've discovered. Finding peace and tranquility in all that I do..."
900
In his zeal to win a big race, Max Hauke was quite a disgrace.
He committed this sin in his effort to win, but was caught with
the transfusion going in.
Oh Max, oh Max, your ethics were so lax. The ban and fine they gave to you
were not what you were hoping,
though you should know by now dear Max, in racing there’s no ___________!
Blood Doping.
Image Credit: Eurosport
900
According to the "Explore Minnesota" website, Minnesota has more miles of groomed trails than the miles between Saint Paul and what city?
a) Dallas, Texas
b) Denver, Colorado
c) New York City, New York
d) Los Angeles
d) Los Angeles