BOOM! The cannon fires followed by the sound of hundreds of clanking– and even snapping – ski poles. The lead skiers push out to the front to avoid the mass pack. There are shouts and cheers from the crowd as they all move out onto the course. They pick up speed and take the first corner where they begin their race stride.

This is how the start for almost 100 of the nations top Cross Country skiers begins at the West Yellowstone Rendezvous. For many of these skiers it is not their first time, nor will it be their last on this race course. Even though the West Yellowstone Rendezvous draws a large amount of top competitors from across the nation, it is not why skiers come back year after year. They come back for the atmosphere shown year and year again.

Whether it is the Route 66 feed station, or the mountain men at the cannon, everybody has their favorite part of the race as well as their showing for the love of the sport. As people cross the finish line, whether they skied the 50k or the 5k, they cross smiling and talking about the next year.