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Museum Opening and I. Old-School Ski Tour 2015

At the end of February 2015 with the Old-School Ski Tour the Opening of the Ski Museum has been celebrated. This ski tour gathered enthusiasts dressed in retro style and equipped with old wooden skis and poles, but some of them had new skis and poles which were produced in the Tirza Ski Crafting Workshop. Through the deep snow the participants took the 7km long route from the Ski Museum to the ancient ritual stone Jāņakmens– house Mežrūži – Ski Museum. After crossing a wide field - the participants reached the woods called Bulliņi where they checked the marten traps put there by Mārcis Mūrnieks. After 3km, the group reached Jāņakmens. On the top of the stone a picture was taken to memorialize this day. Having enjoyed the beautiful forest landscapes the expedition reached the house Mežrūži, where they got hot tea from other participants who chose the shorter ski route (3km). Having had a cheerful time together and after having a little rest, skiers got ready for their way back. Several hours later filled with lot of new impressions and in good mood the group returned back to the Ski Museum.  

This has been followed by official speeches and congratulations. Telemark expert Mr. Dainis Pūka gave to the Museum as a present rare pair of Telemark skis produced in the Tilling ski manufactory in the 1920’s. After the official cutting of the ribbon accompanied by the songs of Mariss Vērtra – a former native of Tirza - the first visitation of the museum exposition took place. Then the guests had a meal consisting of tasty soup cooked on open fire and took part in mummers’ performance. The meal was followed by a lesson held by Mr. Dainis Pūka on Telemark skiing style and on the closest slope there were demonstrations of the Telemark skiing , some of the participants tried this kind of skiing technique by themselves. After some more exercising the toughest joined the Telemark movie evening. The toughest of all were enjoying a hot sauna in the House Kalna Liedakari in Tirza. 

This is how the First Old-School Skiing of Tirza and Opening of Ski Museum ended. Thank you to all participants and we are waiting for you all at the Old-School Ski Tour of 2016!