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MIDWAY — Midway is a destination for many people to relax or maybe listen to the cuckoo clock at the town hall while enjoying the mountain scenery. It is also home to the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships.
The U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships are being held at Soldier Hollow in Midway. The winners could be chosen to be part of Team USA to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
For those who live and work in Midway, having the championships in town is a welcome boost to their local economy.
"It's very exciting," said Ridley's grocery store manager, LJ Hurley. "I mean, how many places get to have the opportunity to have those venues. It's nice to have all those people here."
Soldier Hollow is also where the cross country Olympics were held in 2002. Since the facility is still operating, big events continue to be held in Midway which means more business for locals.
Saturday, Jan. 4
- 10 a.m., Women's 10k classic (individual start)
- 12:00 p.m., Men's 15k classic (individual start)
- 10:00 a.m., Men's freestyle sprint qualification
- 11:00 a.m., Women's freestyle sprint qualification
- 12:30 p.m., Men's and women's freestyle sprint heats
- 10:00 a.m., Men's 30k and women's 20k freestyle (mass start)
- 10:00 a.m., Men's classic sprint qualifications
- 11:00 a.m., Women's classic sprint qualifications
- 12:30 p.m., Men's and women's classic sprint heats
Sunday, Jan. 5
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Friday, Jan. 10
"We have noticed a pick up (of business) in the store," Hurley said. "We've had a lot of extra customers coming in. Our pizzeria up here has done very well and you can tell by the extra traffic in the store, we've had a lot of visitors to the area."
Even though cross country isn't the most popular sport in the world, it does have a strong following, and all the fans, athletes, and coaches have to eat somewhere.
"We notice a lot of out-of-town people coming in and enjoying our food," said Cecile Duvall, the owner of the Café Galleria. "I think there were several (people from) different countries here just a few weeks ago."
The championships will continue for the next week. Business owners said they won't know how much of an increase they will see yet. However, they said it's fun seeing such an exciting atmosphere in town.
"It makes it a little more colorful when you come in and see people from all over the world, and you see people from Alaska to Florida and all over to come here and enjoy the skiing," Duvall said.
