Buena Vista Snowjourn Returns After Two-Year Hiatus as 49 Skiers Compete

Forty-nine skiers braved single-digit cold to revive the Buena Vista Snowjourn, Bemidji's oldest ski event, on Jan. 18 at Buena Vista Ski Area. The race returned after cancellations in 2024 and 2025 caused by a lack of snow, restoring an event that draws families, youth athletes and weekend trail users to the county's groomed Nordic network.

Racers competed on fresh snow in 12-kilometer freestyle, 12-kilometer classic, a 5-kilometer middle school race and a 7-kilometer tour. Real-feel temperatures were around -10 degrees at race time, testing gear and cold-weather readiness but underscoring the resilience of local skiers and volunteers who kept trails in race-ready condition.

Top finishers in the 12-kilometer freestyle included Andrea Patten of Bemidji in first among women at 52:30.2, followed by Claire Story of Bemidji at 55:13.3 and Hannah Vanasse at 1:01:34.5. The men's 12-kilometer freestyle podium was led by Nick Youso of Hermantown at 39:55.8, with Bemidji's Ryan Rogers second at 46:44.0 and Elias Hendrickson third at 50:02.4. In the 12-kilometer classic, Kerrie Berg of Bemidji won the women's race in 54:44.2 and Logan Jensen of Bemidji took the men's title in 50:01.2. Results for the 5-kilometer middle school race and the 7-kilometer tour were recorded and posted with a gallery of photos showing skiers of all ages on the Buena Vista trails (photographer: Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer).

The event's return matters beyond medals. Buena Vista functions as a community hub where outdoor recreation intersects with physical and mental health, youth development and the local economy. After two snow-poor winters forced a shift to an indoor social gathering called "Snow Brew" at Bemidji Brewing - where organizers still presented the annual Johnson-Jarvi Snowjourn Award - the physical race restored opportunities for children in the middle school division to ski competitively and for families to spend healthy time outdoors together.

Public health considerations were visible on course: cold conditions require layered clothing, awareness of frostbite and hypothermia risk, and preparation for quick warming after finishes. Local health providers and race volunteers play an informal but important role in safety for winter sports events, and consistent snow seasons support access to these low-cost, high-benefit outdoor activities that help counter sedentary lifestyles.

The interruptions in 2024 and 2025 also highlight the vulnerability of community traditions to weather variability and the need for planners to balance expectations for winter recreation with flexible event strategies. For Beltrami County readers, the revived Snowjourn is a welcome sign that Buena Vista trails remain a resource for exercise, community connection and local business activity. With photos and full results available from the Jan. 18 event, skiers and families can mark a successful comeback as organizers and participants look toward keeping the Snowjourn on the calendar for future winters.