The Long Hall Loppet 2025
3/9/2025
The Long Hall Loppet was held on Sunday on its traditional course in traditional fashion. Skiers were appreciative of the rolling start, given that the race fell on the morning of Daylight Savings Time. The more casual start when you are ready timeframe seems to ease the panic associated with predetermined starts. Many opted to take advantage of the whenever it feels right window; however, many others were ready to go at 9 o’clock!
Conditions were some we have not seen much of this season. The snow was not fresh powder, on a base of fresh powder with fresh powder falling, rather, it was semi-transformed with little to no powder. This made for a fast surface. The temperature was in the mid-twenties and rising, with partially sunny skies to start. Grooming had been done in multiple passes with tracks set for those who wanted to classic ski. The track-setting pass was a little softer as the initial pass had firmly set. Skiers could choose which surface they liked better on much of the course.
The course starts on the Ellis River Trail, which is often associated with the flat side of Jackson. The trail has several spurs and loops, which would give that impression to those who ski up Yodel and on the competition trails. However, the Long Hall Loppet does not take advantage of the flat terrain other than the main artery of the Ellis River Trail. The course turns onto the North Hall Trail. This is where the proper climb begins, and over the next few miles, skiers ascend over a thousand feet. In total, there are about 1700’ of climbing in the race. At the top of the course, skiers enjoy the Maple Mountain loop before descending back to the start/finish area via the South Hall Trail and the Bengt Trail. Depending on your confidence and skill, this return can be quite thrilling. As one skier exclaimed, “it took over an hour to get to eight miles but only 20 minutes to get back!” It is something to behold with many skiers exceeding 40mph on the return. Many others kept the speed in check.
There was the familiar crowd at registration, plus a few notable locals and some new to the race. For those who have never skied this course before, it is always fun to get a before and after impression. NWVE had a few first-timers, and while they have read the last three reports on this race, it was still interesting to see what they had to say. This year, the conditions were about as good as possible, with a firm but forgiving track, as stated by Jessica Bolduc (NWVE). New to the event were Ed Hamilton (NWVE), Forrest Hamilton (Nonstop Nordic), Scott Magnan (NWVE), and Dhyan Nirmegh (NWVE). Other friends, Ann Celi EMXC and Barry Kitch (EMXC) were inspired to try the event as well, amped by the performances watched at the NCAA National Championships at Oak Hill.
It is difficult to describe the course in a way that people understand, as you have to experience it for yourself. Most break it into thirds or 5Ks. So it starts out flat, then climbs for 5km, and descends 5km to the finish, which is a little short-sighted, especially since it omits about 8 kilometers from the overall distance. The generalization is what they have told themselves to prepare for what is ahead, and that will get them through, and depending on the conditions, who knows how it will go. Conditions like Sunday were much easier than the year Tyler and I were breaking trail in deepening powder up the North Hall.
I was late to the start at 9:03, and many repeat Long Hall’ers had set out to get the ski going. Jud Hartmann (NWVE) likes to be among the first starters for this race, and this year was no different. I got my warm-ups off and started at 9:08. The course was getting chewed up, but the skis were moving fast. It did not take long to catch people, which made for a nice experience. I knew no one was immediately behind me, so I did not expect to be passed until the big hill, if at all. I had skied to the start with Ed and Forrest, I thought that Ed started ahead of me, and I knew Forrest wanted to warm up a little before starting. Later, I would learn that Ed had warmed up with Forrest and had not started the race when I saw him take off. There were all kinds of skiers on course in the early start, including some BKL skiers from Ford Sayre in the long race.
Already on the course were Bill Donahue (GNA) and David Herr (Unattached). Bill knew David was chasing him and tried to hold him off as long as he could. David did eventually catch Bill on the climb but opted to rest a bit. Bill eventually insisted David take the lead, hoping to get a draft, but David resumed his natural pace and marked others ahead. Bill would gain back on David on the downhills, but not enough to catch him again.
On the Ellis, skiers were moving fast, and there was a lot of space between them. Once the climbing started, the gaps narrowed, and through the trees, a line of participants could be seen starting up the Hall trail. It is about here that Forrest caught me. As he went by, I let him know we were almost to the hill, and I wished him good luck. Starting the climb, two familiar skiers were in sight. Jud Hartmann (NWVE) and Bruce Katz (Unattached). They were moving well, knowing this was just the beginning. We climbed and climbed like everyone else who voluntarily signed up for this. Some took breaks, but we pushed through, knowing that stopping would only add to our time. I got by Jud and Bruce and continued up the hill, passing several others. Colin Pogue (MNC) caught me as we entered the Maple Mountain loop and was quickly out of sight.
The climber's portion of the race was over. The next part is intimidating or a reward, depending on your speed and agility confidence. Lacking quick agility on skis, I knew I would lose spots on the downhills. Nate Crooker (Maine West), who was the last person I passed on the climb, caught me first. Ed Hamilton (NWVE) got me a little later, exclaiming how fast the downhills are and overshot the next corner to Green Hill Road. I let him back on in front of me so he would not need to pass me on the S-turns. Though I was confused as I thought I was chasing him and had not passed him, yet he caught me. I assumed he made a wrong turn elsewhere on the course.
Scott Magnan (NWVE), Tyler Magnan (NWVE), and Nirmegh (NWVE) all started late in the order, along with William Riley (Bowdoin) and Rob Riley (GNA). The Rileys cranked out some top performances, but the NWVE crew held their own. Scott and Tyler played some cat and mouse for much of the race. On the downhill, Tyler was hoping Scott would go by as Scott’s skis were running a little faster, and Tyler wanted to draft. Tyler’s knowledge of the course served him well, and Scott wanted to follow someone on the trail as there were many blind spots. Jessica Bolduc (NWVE) was pleased with the conditions and approached the race as a nice ski. She saw the Rileys on the climb, moving much faster than everyone else around. Then the Magnans, ripping the downhill with Carl Swenson.
The real story was Nirmegh (NWVE), who let his skis run without flinching as fast as they could. The veteran Derby Meister exclaimed he had never gone so fast on cross-country skis. Victor Golovkin (FTN) was a witness to this on the course, and he asked Nirmegh how he had made the turn that Ed had overshot. Nirmegh replied something to the extent of: “I saw the V-board and followed the trail; when the trail turned, I turned, I only reacted to what was under my skis.” In other words, Nirmegh was in the zone.
At the finish, skiers were happy to have completed the challenge. Some went out to ski more. Some went back to the lodge to find warmth. Bruce Katz and Todd Taska (NWVE) exchanged stories. Bruce was certain Todd had gotten him again, as in Rangeley, but Todd was not so sure as Bruce was not fatigued from a grueling 50K the day before. The results showed Bruce a few spots up. Jud was happy to be done taking a brownie for the road. Forrest was impressed with the downhills. He did not expect cross-country skiing to be contested on such a course in an event like this. Barry was thankful to Jessica for trying to break down the course as objectively as possible. Ann noted some beautiful views, something that the trail focused probably did not notice. Nirmegh was beside himself with how fast he went on the return.
Skiers regrouped at the J-Town Deli for sandwiches after the race. As usual, as fast as we went on the skis, the staff cranked out sandwiches to the famished skiers even faster. They seemed to know their clients, and the sandwiches had a proper amount of meat to satiate the hungry skiers. We ate and visited and returned to the Touring Center for awards. The Petit Loppet participants got first pick then the rest of us. Nirmegh picked up a nice Birds of the Backyard puzzle and poster combo. People were very impressed with the course and were already looking forward to next year.
Damian
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