The John Craig Memorial Ski Event is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2025. It will consist of self-timed ski races of about 8 or 15 miles and casual ski tours of the same lengths leaving from the East Snow Gate of Highway 242 (McKenzie Pass Highway), about 9 miles west of Sisters, Oregon. The ski trail will be groomed for both classic and skate skiing to make this wilderness ski event possible. We plan to have course monitors, rest stops, rescue, and medical support.
This event commemorates John Templeton Craig, the pioneer mailman who died during a sudden winter snowstorm on McKenzie Pass in December, 1877, in an attempt to deliver mail to the Willamette Valley. The John Craig Memorial Event is written into the bylaws of the State Oregon Nordic Club as an end of the year celebration with most of the chapters of the ONC participating. More on the historical story can be found at onc.org.
Ski racers and tour participants can complete either the course of about 15 miles to the Dee Wright Memorial at the top of McKenzie Pass, or a shorter route of about 8 miles to Windy Point. The cost of the event is low, to make it possible:
• Adult racer or ski tour participant – $ 20 by March 10, $25 after
• Youth (under 18) – $5
Proceeds from this event go to fund the High School XC Ski Racing Programs through OISRAN.
ONC membership is NOT required for this event, just register below.
PDX Chapter members – please login before registering or the system will block you.
Special room rates have been arranged with Best Western Ponderosa Lodge in Sisters, two night stay applies. Reservations must be made no later Feb. 28, 2025 to take advantage of the group block. For more info and to reserve, click here.
A pizza buffet follows the event starting at 4 PM at Takoda’s in Sisters, sponsored by Next Adventure.
On the day of the event:
- Planned start time: 9 AM – 11 AM
- Course closes at 3:30 PM
- Pizza Party at Takoda’s 4-7 PM
Questions about the event? Email johncraigmemorial@onc.org or Kenneth Wenzel at 503-729-6571.
Want to volunteer? Click here to help create what’s always a fun event.
Problems registering?: Click here and send us a message with details.
Can’t submit? Note the required fields, phone formatting and checkboxes. Scroll up the page, look for errors highlighted in yellow.
Please have all in your party sign a waiver beforehand. Please sign online here. Portland chapter members need not sign again if they did earlier this season. For minors, parents and guardians, please sign here.
When you sign up, look for a confirmation email from webmaster@onc-pdx.org. Check your spam filter if necessary. We look forward to your ski enjoyment with us!