2026 Grand Mesa Nordic Festival & Masters Ski Weekend

2026 Grand Mesa Nordic Festival and Masters Ski Weekend

Start your winter right with this three-day series of ski clinics in a welcoming community of passionate skiers. This program will help you refresh your technique and start the season feeling good. Whether you’re a first-time skier or heading into your 20th season, we’ve got a group for you.

Our all-star lineup of instructors (see below) will guide you so you can become more confident and get more enjoyment out of skiing. You’ll learn in a small group matched to your ability and goals, and you’ll receive personalized feedback and individual instruction.

This is a great opportunity to get on snow early and get a jump on your technique and training. The Grand Mesa usually gets some of the earliest and most reliable snow in the West.

If you haven’t skied on the Mesa yet, you will be amazed at our beautiful spruce forests, rolling terrain and wide, snowcat groomed trails.

The Festival takes place at Skyway Trailhead.

Need help figuring out equipment? Email skischool@gmnc.org for info on equipment rentals and help determining appropriate gear.

Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 27
10am to 11:30 classic clinics
1pm to 2:30 skate clinics.

3pm Social gathering at Skyway Station.
Watch ski videos, talk waxing and socialize with the instructors and your fellow skiers in the cozy warmth of our new building.

Saturday Nov. 28
10am to 11:30 classic clinics
1pm to 2:30 skate clinics.

3:00pm Wax Discussion/Clinic Skyway Station
Get you wax on. We will be holding a wax discussion clinic. Want to know what wax works well on Grand Mesa, how best to apply wax and get the most out of your skis? Join us at Skyway Station. We will talk inside, then demonstrate outside. Please note: waxing is NOT ALLOWED INSIDE the building.

Sunday, Nov. 29
10am to 11:30 classic clinics
10am to 11:30 skate clinics

Cost:
$65 for one clinic
$120 for 2 sessions
$170 for 3 sessions
$220 for 4 sessions
$250 for 5 sessions

Registration at the bottom of this page or click HERE.

Questions? Email skischool@gmnc.org

MEET THE COACHES

Growing up in Michigan, Emily Lovett developed a deep passion for skiing at an early age. After college and a short stint working as a project leader for a technology consulting firm, Emily took a “leave of absence” from that job and moved to Steamboat Springs, CO. to work in the ski industry, instructing and coaching cross-country skiing.

She was fortunate to learn from the best, Sven Wiik, Jon Engan, Jon Kreamelmeyer, to name a few. Emily is known for her ability to create engaging and fun learning environments, and her 29 year career in coaching includes roles as a coach and co-director at the West Yellowstone Ski Camp, Head Coach at Steamboat Springs High School Ski Team, and, most recently, eight years with the PSIA National Team, contributing to advancing ski technique education and facilitating instructor and coach development programs across the country. She also serves as an instructor and masters ski coach in Steamboat Springs and enjoys competing in citizen ski races. Her personal commitment to skiing reflects her coaching philosophy, balancing continuous personal development, challenge and enjoyment.

Meghan Dutcher started skiing her senior year of high school, and found herself skiing in college. Thanks to fantastic coaches and teammates, she progressed from “running on skis” to competing for the US at the 2017 World University Games and developed a deep love for skiing in the process. She’s instructed in Breckenridge, where she earned her PSIA Level 1 certification, and then coached middle school and high school skiing in Wyoming for a combined 6 years. Whatever your ski level, she looks forward to helping you achieve your nordic ski goals!

Laurie Humbert grew up in Rochester and Lake Placid, New York. She began skiing in high school, and skied for St. Lawrence University. She was a member of the U.S. National Biathlon Team from 1993-1994 and competed in the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. She raced with the Rossignol Ski team in the late 1990s and early 2000s and also competed in bike racing. She has coached masters cross-country skiers for The Utah Nordic Alliance in Salt Lake City for the last two decades. She has two grown daughters and coaches cross-country running at the high school where she works in Salt Lake. She’s a long-time Buffalo Bills fan.

Judi Hulme grew up skiing in Lander and now lives in Laramie, Wyoming. She’s been teaching cross-country skiing for more than 20 years for the Medicine Bow Nordic Association at the Happy Jack trails near Laramie. She’s also been a regular instructor for The Nordic Link’s Steamboat Ski Clinic, the West Yellowstone Thanksgiving Ski Festival, and the Methow Valley Nordic Ski Camp at Sun Mountain Lodge in Washington. Judi is Level III certified from the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA).  Along with participating in many local races in Wyoming and Colorado, she has finished the American Birkebeiner five times, starting out of the elite wave and achieving age group placement in both skate and classic disciplines. She has competed in Master’s World Cup Cross Country Skiing Championships four times. Judi retired in 2022 from a long career at the University of Wyoming and along with skiing she enjoys biking, hiking, teaching group strength and fitness classes, and playing tennis.

Dave Mark has been skiing for most of his life. He served as Head Coach for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club from 1988 to 1994, Head Coach for the Hahn’s Peak Nordic junior team from 2002 to 2014 and was a coach and ski technician for the US ParaNordic team from 2008 to 2022. He raced for the Rossignol factory team from 1988 to 2000 and was the15km USSA national masters champion in the 30-34 age group in 1989. After many years in the Steamboat Springs area, he now lives in the Surface Creek Valley and has made the Grand Mesa his home for skiing