Author: Eric Dacus

Another Citizen’s race up has been scheduled for this Friday, March 21 at Beaver Mountain.  Race starts at 6:30 pm, criterium format (will finish by 7:30 pm).

• Optional skills and gear clinic at 5:45 pm.
• Helmet required, but no headlamp or avalanche gear necessary.
• Park at the lower Beaver Mountain lot; race will start near the Little Beaver or Beaver’s Face lift, depending on where resort grooming operations are taking place that evening.
• We’re encouraging folks to sign up here in advance, and to print and sign waivers found here.
• Free!
• We’ll meet at Jack’s Pizza in Logan afterwards (~8:15) for food and beverages.

The third Wolf Mountain race scheduled for tomorrow, March 18th, has been canceled due to a lack of snow.

Stay tuned for details on a final race and BBQ at Brighton coming soon.

The penultimate Wasatch Citizen Series was run on the 11th of February, and again we had a stellar turnout and some fantastic racing was had by all! Andy Dorais, Greg of Gear:30, and myself arrived at Brighton at 4 to start setting course with light snow falling, and put together a nice course along Elk ridge above Snake Creek lift. As the crowd continued to grow before the start I gave my attempt at describing the course, which elucidated confused looks from nearly everyone before Andy Dorais stepped in and translated my attempt into something understandable. The start was fast as always, with a long flat skin across the snake creek flats to the bottom of Golden Needle for the start of the first major climb. The front pack had sorted itself out by this point, with Gemma Ribot absolutely flying! At the top of the first climb, Gemma showed us all what she is capable of and lead the way into the first descent. For the rest of the race it was Gemma in the lead at the top. The race group completed two laps, which each lap being three climbs and descents and a gain of ~1300 feet, while heavy metal battled it out over one lap.

In the end Gemma took both the womens and OVERALL win for the night! Eric Bunce came in a close second to take the mens win and a nice rhubarb pie. It was great to spend some time on the course during the race and see everyone out having a great time. One memorable moment came as I was starting to pull flags and found a pair of skis and one (1) skin at the first transition. Thinking the owner had stopped to use the facilities I searched around but could not find them. I then saw him running down the first descent, skin in hand, which had been left at the first transition…extra points for keeping up the race mentality! As I cleaned the course the clouds parted and I was treated to an amazing ski under the light of the moon and stars back to Molly Greens for the awards, raffle, and the party!

Gemma left with a pie, and a new pair of Scarpa ski boots generously donated by Backcountry.com, who also brought a pirate’s booty of raffle items. It seemed that everyone at Molly Greens left with something (even the bartender), except Eric Bunce, who kindly declined to take the womens size small T-shirt to all of our benefit! As always, our wonderful sponsors (Powderwhore films, Gear:30, Backcountry.com, The Sport Loft, Skimo.co, Momentum Climbing Gyms, CAMP USA) were on hand and donated some amazing prizes for the raffle.

Thanks to all who attended, and look for the last race of the season at Brighton Resort on February 25th!

– Nick

Just a quick reminder about the race tomorrow night at Brighton. Please park by the church and get there a little before 7pm for sign-in, as usual. Details of the course are still being worked out with ski patrol, but it promises to be a great night of racing! Stick around after for food, drinks and a few prizes at Molly Green’s.

See you tomorrow!

GORE-TEX Wasatch Ski Mountaineering Race

Registration here

Come out and test your speed, strength, and endurance at this year’s GORE-TEX® Wasatch Ski Mountaineering Race at the OWM All Mountain Demo. The race will support the US Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA). The USSMA sanctions and governs competitive ski mountaineering racing in the US and promotes and fosters recreational ski mountaineering through access, resources, education, and community.

The race is open to anyone over 18 and of any ability from first time racers who just want to see what ski mountaineering racing is all about to seasoned veterans. Any randonnée, telemark, or split-board gear is allowed. Racers must have skins for the ascents, not snowshoes or walking.

The race will start at 2:00 PM at the base of Solitude at the All Mountain Demo area. The race will feature short and long course options and will last approximately 1 hour.