More Skimo Racing in the NW?

coldthistle.blogspot.com/2013/10/if-thye...t-will-you-come.html

What do people think?

I think there is a real demand for more skimo races in the NW just given the turnout at vertfest every year. Dane's idea is great. I'm in for sure (someone has to come in last ). But a series of even one a month would be super fun as well. It's the best form of exercise hands down and a great group of folks who pursue it.

The weather makes it tricky, but there's definitely a following for racing here.

The biggest competition for racing is probably touring itself; who wants to race when there's wilderness to be had? New and different destinations are perfect each weekend. The biggest determinant for Vertfest for me is whether or not there's something else unique to be done on that long weekend. If our mountains were played out, I think we'd all find the challenge of racing alone more attractive.

Now that the Spearhead is (alas) going Euro with the hut system, and people are starting to do it in a day on a routine basis, perhaps a race there could have both compelling adventure and racing together.

Closer to home, it's easy to imagine long routes in the Stevens, Snoqualmie, Baker, or Crystal BC that could be a ton of fun. Keeping a large gaggle safe as they push their limits on a long/remote route could be really hard.

For a few years there used to be a Vertfest at Crystal Mtn in addition to the one at Alpental. Vertfest numbers are even larger now so there is a definite market for more races.

In SLC/Brighton they have a series of 10 free races called Wasatch Citizen Series that get about 70 people each, then there's Powderkeg as well.

Here in the PNW we have 3x the population to draw from so it should be a no brainer.

I totally agree that something similar to the Wasatch Citizen Series could be hugely popular here. I think even if it were a race just lapping Hyak on a weekday evening Jan - April it would get a decent turn out. If only the USFS could be convinced.

I totally agree that something similar to the Wasatch Citizen Series could be hugely popular here. I think even if it were a race just lapping Hyak on a weekday evening Jan - April  it would get a decent turn out. If only the USFS could be convinced.

The Nordic folks have found a way to make a weeknight series work.

headlamprace.blogspot.com/?m=1

It seems there are more ski touring folks than Nordic folks these days. We should be able to make something work.

I totally agree that something similar to the Wasatch Citizen Series could be hugely popular here.

I also thought that, but the inaugural season doesn't seem to have been very auspicious:
snoqualmiepassskimo.blogspot.com/

I also thought that, but the inaugural season doesn't seem to have been very auspicious:
snoqualmiepassskimo.blogspot.com/

Going up and down Central while its open probably had nothing to do with it

Brownies for prizes?!?!?!?!?! We need more races like that. Instant gratification.

Getting back to the original topic, I think what Dane is suggesting is not another VertFest or citizen's race. He's thinking of something longer and more technical, I think. Something where you'd carry crampons and a harness and actually use them.

If you didn't have to deal with Forest Service regulations, an ideal course would be something like Watson's Traverse over Mt Baker. But I think that would be out, due to party-size limits in the wilderness.

Dane suggests that for practical reasons, you'd need to run such a race near an operating ski area. You'd want to run it as late in the operating season as possible, for the most predictable snow conditions. But if the snow conditions are too dangerous, you'd simply have to cancel it (assuming that the more aggressive course is the whole reason for this race).

It sounds interesting, but it could be pretty risky from an organizer's perspective. To make the race fair, you'd probably need trailbreakers, which gets complicated on a longer course.

Better yet, do as a reality TV show with drama, bribes for trail breaking, cutting cornices on other competitors, and other vile trickery... now that would be cool... well not really.

Well, last season I kept the Snoqualmie Pass Series on the down low because the ski area was a little nervous about too many people showing up and racing in bounds.  Turn out was pretty low, with the small email list and word of mouth, so, this year the plan was to post the website on TAY.  It appears the cat is out of the bag, so for anyone interested, there will be a series again this season, the plan is for a night race weekly starting in January, continuing until Vertfest.  I am also planning on a Christmas Eve morning race at Hyak, and the 2nd annual Seth Davis Silver Fir to Silver Peak race as well (will post schedule in November). Check out the site and come out for some suffering this coming season!

Brandon
snoqualmiepassskimo.blogspot.com

Well, last season I kept the Snoqualmie Pass Series on the down low

Be honest, you just wanted the brownies all to yourself! haha

I would be interested in weeknight fitness races and technical traverse style races through interesting terrain. The weekend race up and down a ski area usually loses to skiing somewhere more interesting, but a cool 1 day or overnight route with some shuttle support would get me excited.

Overnight with the stopping point in a cool backcountry location with a few wall-tents and a barbeque set up before you get there would be awesome.

Keep in mind, getting permits to hold anything on public lands is a PIA. Insurance is required.

My favorite latest training tool is Strava, and I think it could also be applied here. Simply set up a Strava challenge, include a time window that the challenge has to take place, and voila! Instant race format. Limited to smart phone owners.

No permits needed if left as a meet up. Strava & GPS can help determine the winners.

dominate the nordic trails at the hack.
b