This event is OUSA sanctioned and will run from Friday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023 in conjunction with the Empire State Winter Games.

Feb. 3 Update – Saturday’s Middle start will be delayed until 1:30 pm and classes will run on originally scheduled courses, ie Blue on Blue, etc.

Feb. 2 Update – While Saturday’s predicted temperatures are trending upwards, Friday’s will still be very cold and in the danger zone. We will hold the Sprint event but please don’t participate unless you’re prepared for the cold and remember to take special care with your extremities. We understand if you choose not to compete in the Sprint event and while EMPO will do its best to issue some amount of refund for the Sprint, please understand that a major portion of your registration fee has gone to the Empire State Games organization to cover the cost of your jacket and we won’t be able to determine the refund amount until all financial considerations have been taken into account after the event.

See Updated Start Times here!

Because of the extremely cold weather forecast for Friday and Saturday’s events, we are changing the start procedure on Friday and changing the start time on both Friday and Saturday to noon.
Friday’s Sprint event will NOT be a U.S. Championship event, and U.S. medals will not be awarded. It will, however, be an ESG championship event and ESG medals will be awarded. There will be a 1 hour course time limit and skiers will not be permitted to start the sprint without a face covering.
For Saturday’s Middle event, if the predicted high temperature at noon is -15C or warmer we will run the courses as scheduled. If the predicted temperature is -16C or colder each class will race one course below, ie Blue on Red, Red on Green, Green on Orange and Orange on White. Racers originally scheduled on White will remain on White and the course time limit will be reduced to 2 hours.
We will have officials monitoring skiers for frostbite on both days. If any signs are evident, skiers must stop their race immediately and go indoors to warm up.
There will be outdoor propane heaters at the Start area at Cascade on Friday, and outside the Dewey lodge on Saturday. Racers are welcome to use them before and even during their event.
We have posted tips about dressing for cold weather here – please read them carefully and dress as recommended.
We’d like to acknowledge the co-operation and assistance of the venue managers and groomers who have all gone out of their way to accommodate our changes in schedules and formats. If you see any of them over the weekend please give them a big thank you!

All participants are eligible for Empire State Games medals. To be eligible for a U.S. Championship medal, participants must be citizens or lawful permanents residents of the U.S. AND be members in good standing of Orienteering USA. You can find more information about joining OUSA here.

The SI timing system will be used. All participants must use an SI timing card. SIAC (Air+) will be enabled but is not required. SI timing cards will be available for rental through the registration site and can be picked up at check-in on site. Rental cards will be SIAC (Air+). Rental price is $5 per day with a $80 replacement cost if lost or not turned in. All proceeds from SIAC card rentals will go the the U.S. National Ski-O Team. Check here for more information about the SIAC system.

A limited number of mapholders will be available to rent at $5 per day. Contact the Meet Director if you would like to reserve a mapholder. Mapholders are available for purchase through a regular retailer of orienteering supplies.

Participants with prior knowledge of the competition area that gives them an unfair advantage over other racers may race, but are not eligible for awards.

A model course will be set up at Mt. Van Hoevenberg south of Bobsled Lane, and will be open from Thursday, Feb. 2 through the weekend. It must be accessed from the main parking area and the Mountain Pass Lodge.

In keeping with U.S.S.A. and IOF regulations, the use of fluoro waxes by all participants is prohibited.

There are embargoes on the following areas: Paul Smiths VIC (entire trail system), Dewey Mountain (entire trail system) and Cascade Welcome Center (entire trail system). Competitors are prohibited from being in these areas anytime until the Ski-O Nationals. A competitor racing in a regularly scheduled cross country or biathlon event may race in one of the specified areas before the Ski-O Nationals but must stay on the official race course of their event.

The Ottawa Orienteering Club is planning 2 ski-o events on the weekend prior to US Nationals, Jan. 28-29. Ottawa is a 3 hour drive from Lake Placid and features many winter outdoor activities and facilities for the recreationally minded. You can check the OOC schedule here.

Event Team

Meet Directors – Janet Findlay & David Hunter
Event & Course Advisor – Jim Arsenault
Mapper & Course Setter – David Hunter
Registrar – Janet Findlay
Course Vetters – Gabor Bobok, Laszlo Kolyvek
Check-In & Awards – Lina Gavrilova
Start Team – Bruce Glen, Elaine Glen,
Linda Kohn, Rick Worner
Timing -Sandy Fillebrown, Phil Hawkes-Teeter
Refreshments – Sue Hawkes-Teeter
First Aid – Candi Raines & Thayer Raines
Jury Members – Linda Kohn, Jim Arsenault, Jon Torrance

Volunteers are always welcome! Please contact us if you’d like to help out.
We are most grateful to Orienteering USA, the Adirondack Sports Council, Empire Orienteering Club and the O-Store for their assistance and support, and to ORDA, Dewey Mt. Recreation Center and Paul Smith’s VIC for their cooperation in planning this event.
For further information please contact the Meet Director.