Join Oregon Nordic Club for the traditional John Craig Ski Tour up McKenzie Pass, past Windy Ridge, through imposing lava formations to historic Dee Wright Observatory. Skiers of all ages and ability levels are encouraged to participate in the event, but also to “use common sense” about how far to go before turning around. In good weather an average skier can reach Dee Wright Observatory in about three hours and Windy Point in two, and skiers can expect to get down from the pass in about half the amount of time they took to climb.
John Craig was a legendary postmaster who, after attempting to ski Christmas mail over McKenzie Pass in the winter of 1877, was found frozen beside his mail pouch in his shack atop McKenzie Pass. For 25 years Craig carried mail from the Willamette Valley to Eastern Oregon, by horseback in the summer and on his own back in the winter. Mystery still shrouds the details of his death, but a few details of his life give some insights to his stubborn pioneer spirit.
Oregon Nordic Club has held some form of event to and back from the pass nearly every year since 1972 to honor Craig’s memory and to get people interested in Nordic skiing. Craig’s story provides an interesting underlying theme, and serves to impress upon people the hardships of carrying the mail across the pass at that time. “This is one of those great ski traditions,” said volunteer JD Downing, coach for XC Oregon, “I wish more people knew about it.”
Oregon Nordic Club invites any and all Nordic enthusiasts to join in the fun at the 2019
John Craig McKenzie Pass Nordic Ski & Pizza Party
When: Saturday, March 23, 2019
Start Time: Anytime 10 AM to Noon.
Where: The east side snow gate on McKenzie Pass Hwy 242.
You may leave cars at the Ponderosa Inn if you are car pooling with someone to the start.
Parking at the start is limited so we encourage car pools.
What: This is an out and back ski, you may turn around at anytime. Or ski all the way to the Dee Wright Observatory for great views. We expect (hope) to have a set track to the observatory. Turn around no later than 2:00 PM. Please carry your own water and snacks in your pack.
Who: All Nordic enthusiasts are welcome to join.
Help: Donation jars available to help defray expenses. Recommendation $10.00
Potluck: Pizza dinner starts at 4:00 pm. The state ONC will provide Pizza. Everyone is invited to bring something to share. This is a BYOB dinner. The location for the potluck will in the Ponderosa Conference Room.
John Day Award: The winner of the 2016 John Day Award will be announced at 5:00 pm at the Potluck.
Everyone is also invited to attend the Annual ONC State organization meeting is at 9:00 am Sunday, March 24th in the Ponderosa Room of:
Ponderosa Inn
500 W Highway 20, Sisters, OR
855-974-4791
Ponderosa Inn Website

The Annual General Meeting of the ONC will be held on April 11 at 7 PM via a zoom meeting. All ONC members are invited and encouraged to attend this call.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://mhcc.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 997 2493 9095
Topic: Oregon Nordic Club State Board Meeting
Time: Apr 11, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
The Agenda for the meeting is:
- President’s report
- Treasurer’s report
- Recap of the John Craig Event
- Discussion regarding update of Klindt Vielbig Guidebook Cross-Country Ski Routes Oregon.
The Board of Directors and Chapter Reps will meet following the Annual General Meeting.
John Craig Memorial Ski Race and Tour, Saturday, March 18, 2023
A skiing tradition since the 1930’s
The John Craig Memorial Ski Race and Tour is scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2023. This event commemorates John Templeton Craig, the pioneer mailman who died during a sudden winter snowstorm on McKenzie Pass in December, 1877, in an attempt to deliver mail to the Willamette Valley. The Oregon Nordic Club conducts this annual event.
For 2023, the John Craig Memorial Ski Event will consist of self-timed ski races of about 6 or 12 miles and casual ski tours of the same lengths. The event will take place on Saturday, March 18, leaving from the East Snow Gate of Highway 242 (McKenzie Pass Highway), about 9 miles west of Sisters, Oregon. The ski trail is scheduled to be groomed for both skate and classic to make this historic ski event possible. We plan to have course monitors, rest stops, rescue, and medical support.
Ski racers and tour participants can complete either the course of about 12 miles to the Dee Wright Memorial at the top of McKenzie Pass, a shorter course of about 6-8 miles to Windy Point, or turn around when you wish. The races and tours can start any time after 9 AM but must begin by noon, to make sure you complete the event by 4 PM,
Registration: https://onc-pdx.org/events/john-craig-memorial-ski-race-and-tour-2023/
Early registration cost, before March 15 is as follows:
Adult racer or ski tourer $20
Youth (under 18) $5
No need to be a member of the Oregon Nordic Club to participate.
Pizza Party: Beginning at 3 PM, there will be a free post event pizza party in Sisters, sponsored by Next Adventure. Details will be provided to registered participants.
Lodging: Discounted Lodging at Left Coast Lodge and Sisters Inn & Suites in Sisters.
For more information, please contact Ted Scheinman, John Craig Event Coordinator, at johncraigmemorial@onc.org or by phone at 503-914-9584 or go to the Oregon Nordic Club Website at www.onc.org. No need to be a member of the Oregon Nordic Club to participate.