The Nordic leg will feature a four-stage, staggered start beginning near the top of Mission Ridge. The race will start on time, so please check the schedule to determine the starting time of your wave. The lift ticket from your team bag is required in order to ride the chair lift. No foot loaders on the chair. This leg is 3 miles long and is a continuous loop. It features combinations of uphill and downhill terrain. Caution is advised on the downhill sections of the course due to congestion. The course will be packed to the degree possible, depending upon conditions on race day. The course will not be groomed to accommodate skating style skiers, although skating will be possible on sections. Skating and marathon skating on Nordic skis are allowed only in pro, non-rec iron, and tandem divisions.

Nordic skiers will wear two race numbers, one on the chest and one on the lower back. Race numbers must be visible at all times. Be careful not to false start; there is a time penalty for doing so. Wear your chest number while portaging in Riverfront Park and you'll need it to access the fruit and cookie aid station at the finish.

Rec Division Nordic Skis: In recreational divisions:

Nordic skis must have a minimum width of 45mm or wider at the waist

regardless of width, any ski with "Racing" or "Skating" printed on the ski top does not qualify for the Rec divisions
Skis will be checked in the lift line prior to the race by a race official. To assist you in determining if your cross-country skis qualify as recreational gear, we have arranged for a check station at Foothills Middle School during registration on Friday evening. Skis will not be checked in town on race morning, but will be checked in the lift line at Mission Ridge.

Nordic skiers support team members: A lift ticket is required to board the chair lift. Nordic skiers must either walk down the mountain or ski down a designated course, but will not be allowed to ski or walk on the downhill course or through the approach to the Alpine-to-runner exchange zone. Check at the ski leg information table at Foothills Middle School on Friday night before the race to find out the recommended route to come down the mountain when you are finished. Cross country skiers and walkers should not come down the Alpine race route.

Iron Division and Tandem team competitors who are transporting both Alpine and Nordic boots and skis on the chair lift, should wear their Alpine gear and carry their Nordic gear so that they can get on and off the lifts in the most efficient manner. No foot-loaders on the chair. Racers are advised to stage their gear in the Iron Exchange zone in a plastic bag marked with their race number.

Spectators should not attempt to view the race start or the Nordic leg of the race because of congestion on the chair lift. We will be taking 1000 racers, support members, and volunteers to the top of Mission Ridge on the chair lift between 8AM and 9AM on race morning. Racers, support members, officials, and designated media representatives only will be allowed to ride the chair lift on race day.

Ridge to River has had a tradition of good weather. However, participants who begin or end in the Mission Ridge area should be prepared for cold weather.