HISTORY OF XC SKI WEEK

The origins of XC Ski Week or previously known as "Race Week", started back in the 1960's.

Cross country races have been held in the Perisher ranges for almost as long as people have been skiing there. The first National and State Championships date back to the early 1900's. With the expansion of development of Perisher Valley Club Lodges in the late 1950's & early 1960's less formal fun (or citizen) races were held, generally on weekends. The first weekday race "the Martini" was held in 1972, and the current format of race week has been relatively stable since then with the week taking place generally in the first full week of August starting on the Saturday.  Historically a brief description of XC Ski Week is as follows:

SATURDAY; 

Historically a state championship 15km, alternating between NSW and ACT with in recent times these races being run earlier in the ski season.

SUNDAY;

Boonoona Open. This race has been held since 1976. It was the first to cover both skating and classic disciplines, in about 1990.

MONDAY;

Night Relays - These were first held in 1988, at the Blue Cow Resort. They were then organised by the Feral Ski Club, around the roads near the Southern Perisher Lodges. They were made memorable by the crowd participation, by the glue wine, and by an altercation between a Hans Oversnow passenger, and a race competitor. There are now held in front of the Nordic Shelter, with no less crowd participation! 

TUESDAY;

Often a lay day, progressive dinners, or drinks have been held. Made memorable by a joke telling session up at Cooma Hut. 

The modern day equivalent is now the Mystery Coffee Tours which provide great fun for all.

WEDNESDAY;

The KAC Open, now KAC X-C Classic (previously called "the Martini Rossi") The first race was held in 1972, and probably instigated the concept of a race week. Being one of the only point to point races it has been memorable for the after awards ski home from Charlottes Pass. This tradition still continues to this day. 

THURSDAY;

The Charlotte Pass Open. A KAC club race held since:........ In recent years this has been run on the Monday. 

The Sundeck Cup is now held on this day. 

FRIDAY;

Always a recovery day in preparation for the longest race of the week. The second of the weeks Mystery Coffee Tours now takes place on this day.

SATURDAY;

The Snowy Mountains Classic has been running since 2000 from where it took over from Paddy Pallin races. The "Paddy" entered legendary status in 1965, with a race from Round Mountain to Perisher. With bad weather encountered enroute the competitors sensibly skied together and this sense of camaraderie still holds a place in the cross country community