Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Skiers including Benjamin Hiller of Houghton and Sage Resh Chimner of Houghton climb the hill at the start of the 10K freestyle race during the Great Bear Chase at the Swedetown Ski Trails Saturday.

CALUMET TOWNSHIP — Though scaled down for COVID safety, this year’s Great Bear Chase was still a highlight for skiers from across the Midwest.

The annual ski race at the Swedetown Ski Trails in Calumet Township was capped at 550 racers this year, versus nearly 900 last year, said race director Angela Luskin.

Skiers set off in 25-person groups to reduce crowding, and were asked to wear masks until the races started. Bib pickup was done via drive-through; so was the customary post-race pasty and cinnamon roll.

Instead of the usual awards ceremony at Calumet High School, winners will receive awards in the mail.

Racers were thankful to be back, Luskin said. She thanked sponsors and volunteers for helping make the event possible.

“Last night, when they were picking up their bibs, a couple of racers said this is their favorite race and they’re really excited that we’re able to hold it,” she said. “And just looking at that 550 cap, that we maxed out on the number of skiers tells us that those racers were looking forward to supporting the Great Bear Chase.”

The 40-plus degree days of earlier in the week hadn’t had much effect. Aside from a few sunny spots where the trails were slower, they held up nicely, said Mark Ousdigian, a member of Michigan Technological University’s ski team.

“That made it really nice, the warmer temps,” said Ousdigian, who skied the 50K skiathlon. “And just getting out there and skiing with friends and family was really fun.”

Margaret Friedenauer of Bayfield, Wisconsin, has skied for years but was making her first Great Bear Chase appearance. She had been convinced by her sister, who was skiing one of the longer races.

“I’m a skier, I’m just not a racer,” said Friedenauer, who was about to compete in the 10k classic. “I want to finish and get my cinnamon roll and pasty.”

While Ellie Kust’s family has done the Great Bear Chase for years, this was her first time. The 10K freestyle was also the first race in a decade for Kust, who lives in Minneapolis.

“It was fast,” she said. “Windy. Sunshine. You couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

Full results are available at greatbearchase.com/results.