Sunny skies and excellent snow conditions greeted over a thousand participants Sunday, March 7th, for the 34th Annual running of The Great Ski Race.

Spirits were high at Tahoe XC, in the Highlands, just outside of Tahoe City, as racers of all abilities gathered to ready for the annual challenge that would take them climbing out of the Tahoe Basin over a 7,990 foot pass and on to a long downhill run along Sawtooth Ridge to Truckee, 18 miles away.

In its 34th year, The Great Ski Race has grown into the largest cross-country ski race in the West. Organized by Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, the 30-kilometer event attracted over 1,100 participants, including some of the top racers in North America. The race began at the Tahoe Cross Country Center above the Highlands in Tahoe City and finished at the Hilltop Lodge in Truckee.

2010 Results
Adam Swank, of Duluth, MN. took first place with a time of 1:11:30, in a near-tie with  Truckee local Ian Case, who finished in 1:11:46. Beth Reid, of Palo Alto, CA. took the top women's slot with a time of 1:18:51, with Katerina Nash of Truckee placing second for the women with a time of 1:18:59.

All in all, 1005 participants crossed the finish line on Sunday, including numerous locals, kids and adults, who participate each year. Click here for the complete results list.

Proceeds from the race help support the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Race funds generated are used primarily to purchase equipment and to support winter survival and avalanche education programs conducted by the Team.