Jizerská 50 ONLINE: Up to 80 cm of snow on the trails, yet we are prepared for several alternative plans for the race weekend

Most sections of the Jizerská 50 have sufficient snow, which is expected to hold despite the arrival of slightly above-freezing temperatures. The area of Krásná Máří, where temperatures are forecasted to be the highest, is being closely monitored. For this reason, the organizers are preparing alternative routes for the races of the 58th edition of the Jizerská 50.

Current conditions on the Jizerská 50 trails

In the highest parts of the Jizerská 50 trails, there is currently up to 80 cm of snow, and the entire eastern section of the course is covered with an adequate snow layer. Natural snow is also sufficient in areas around Kristiánov and Hřebínek. In the lowest sections of the trail, specifically from Bedřichov to Nová Louka, technical snow is currently being spread and leveled. There are sufficient reserves of technical snow stored at the stadium.

The area expecting the highest temperatures in the coming days is Krásná Máří. For this reason, this section of the Jizera Mountains’ main route is being carefully monitored, and alternative plans are being prepared. A thinner snow cover is now present on Olivetská hora, but an alternative route from Hřebínek via Gregorův kříž intersection and back to the standard Jizerská 50 route is already planned.

Following the plan but preparing for route changes

Thursday’s races using freestyle technique – Volkswagen Bedřichovská 30 and Jizerská 17 – will most likely proceed as planned, as will the entire Friday program, which takes place near the stadium. Our priority is to maintain the traditional routes for all races, starting and finishing in Bedřichov, while also being prepared for potential complications, particularly a lack of snow in the Krásná Máří area.

Aside from the alternative plan B, which includes a start at Smědava and a finish in Bedřichov, we have also developed other scenarios for rerouting the Jizerská 25, ČT Jizerská 10, and ČEZ Jizerská 50 to avoid problematic sections. These scenarios include using the Magenta Trail or routes around the Studené údolí area. “The key for us will be the course of the upcoming weekend’s warming and how much snow remains in the most critical areas of the trail and their surroundings. Our next steps will depend on that. There are still two weeks to go until the race,” explains David Douša from RAUL, the marketing partner of Jizerská 50.

Our current effort is to preserve the snow around Krásná Máří, which is a critical section for the traditional route of the race. Once we have consulted with meteorologists from ČHMÚ and are certain the snow will not melt, we are ready to organize a volunteer brigade to improve any challenging sections and ensure the Krásná Máří route is skiable for all participants of the Jizerská 50. If, despite our best efforts, it becomes impossible to use this section, we are prepared to host Sunday’s race on an alternative loop based around the pleasant Magenta Trail, with the elite race held separately.

The entire organizing team of the Jizerská 50 is doing everything possible to ensure that all registered participants of the 58th ČEZ Jizerská 50 thoroughly enjoy the event. Updates on the situation will be provided regularly.