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CALUMET — The region’s premiere Nordic Skiing event takes place Saturday with hundreds of skiers expected to take to Calumet’s Swedetown Recreation Area’s trails. The 46th Annual UP Health System Great Bear Chase is set for Saturday with nine races ranging in distance from 3 to 52 kilometers allowing participants of all experience levels for to finish their seasons with a high-quality skier-oriented event

This year’s event features nine races in both classic and freestyle cross country divisions at distances of 10, 24, and 52 kilometers. Again this year are the unique “Skiathlon” races. These unique races involves both classic and freestyle technique with distances off either 52km and 24 km available.

Event organizers expect more than 600 skiers and their families for the Bear Chase, and with this year’s exceptional snow conditions, record numbers of participants and spectators wouldn’t be surprising. “We’ve got more than 800 racers registered already,” Race Director Angela Luskin said. “The way things are shaping up, we expect to be close, if not over our record of 918.”

Despite near record snow totals so far this year, the forecast calls for a chance of rain Friday. “Our groomers will be out so we expect things to be in great shape for Saturday,” Luskin said.

Registration and bib pick-up takes place from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at Calumet High School. Organizers advise there are significant changes in start times from previous years.

The race schedule is as follows on Saturday:

• 8:05 a.m. – 52 km Skiathlon

• 8:05 a.m. – 52 km Classic

• 8:10 a.m. – 24 km Classic

• 8:15 a.m. – 10 km Classic

• 8:30 a.m. – 52 km Freestyle Wave 1

• 8:35 a.m. – 24 km Freestyle Wave 1

• 8:40 a.m. – 52 km Freestyle Wave 2

• 8:45 a.m. – 24 km Freestyle Wave 2

• 8:50 a.m. – 20 km Skiathlon

• 8:55 a.m. – 24 km Freestyle Wave 3

• 9 a.m. – 10 km Freestyle

• 11:30 a.m. – 3km/5km Para Nordic

All races will begin and finish near Spruce Street in Calumet. Parking is available in a plowed lot on Spruce Street and along both Spruce and Osceola Streets. Plan on a 15-minute walk to the race start. New this year. The new snowmobile groomer building is right cross Spruce Street from the Great Bear Chase start. The snowmobile club has graciously offered the building as a warming location. It’s a large building and, at most, a five minute walk to the start finish.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. is the post-race activity, including the awards banquet will follow at Calumet High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Calumet High School. Registration includes the pasty luncheon at Calumet High School.Fresh, award-winning pasties (meat or vegetarian), bakery, fruit, and more will be provided. The school’s locker rooms and showers will also be available.

This year’s Junior Bear Chase at 1:30 p.m. with the 1km Classic (ages 3-8), followed by the 4km Freestyle (ages 10+), 2 km Freestyle (10+) and 2km Classic ( ages 8-10)). There is no fee for participation in the Jr. Bear Chase, but participants must register. Junior Bear Chase registration does not include the pasty luncheon.