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8:00AM - 2:00PM
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Saturday, March 2, 2024
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Alpental
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Recreational, Full, & Rooky Rally Categories
We are excited to welcome back Snowgoat Skimo and all competitors this season for Vertfest 2024. Race uphill on your skis or splitboard, but you have to leave enough in the tank to survive the descent! Vertfest is the longest and biggest skimo event West of the Rockies! Stay after the race for your t-shirt, beer garden, music, vendor village, gear raffle, and plenty of good vibes.
Pricing
- Full: $105
- Recreational: $90
- Rookie Rally: $40
- 50% discount for Youth <18 (use code "Youth" at checkout)
- Price increases $10 on Jan. 1st, $20 on Feb. 17th, and $30 the day-of the event. No in-person registration; register via mobile phone at the Webscorer.com link up until race start Sunday morning.
Categories
- Full Distance: Open, Masters (45+), Heavy Mettle
- Recreation Distance: Open, Splitmo, Youth (<18)
- Rookie Rally: Single open category
Course & Categories
Vertfest will return in 2024 with both loops. The race descends double black diamond and off-piste runs, so race participants need to be comfortable navigating this terrain.
Recreational Distance
The race will start directly in front of the lodges and ascend under Chair 1 climbers left. It will circle around loading for Chair 2 and go through a series of two bootpacks up under Chair 2. Finally, it tops out at the top of Chair 2 before you switch to the descent. Ski through the Summit Gate down International and through Snakedance back to Sessel and the finish.
Full Distance
The first lap is the same as the Recreation lap. For lap two, Race distance participants will transition to skinning next to the finish and then head out the Gala Gate outside the resort boundary. Racers will be following the resort boundary up, cliffs to your right and ski boundary on your left. The loop will top out at Knoll 1, where you’ll be treated to some Oreos and meat treats before you ski down to rejoin the Rec Lap descent.
Rookie Rally
Rookie Rally Racers will line up right after the Full and Recreational racers started. You’ll follow their tracks up, following right underneath Armstrong the entire time. The primary challenge will be the steep Strawberry Hill, where you will have the choice to continue on with skis on your feet (we often recommend ski crampons too!) or choose the bootpack to the side. Ending after 1,700’ of climbing, Rookie Rally Racers can enjoy a fun and leisurely ski back down through the Finish Chute. Rookie Rally is designed for those who don’t like the downhill racing portion or want to test the sport but aren’t ready for the full sufferfest. Beacon, shovel, or probe are not required, but all other safety requirements still pertain.
Required Gear
- A helmet must be worn the entire race (skimo, skiing, climbing, or bike helmets allowed)
- Avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe
- Eye protection
- Skis or snowboard with metal edges and retention system, minimum length 160cm for men, 150cm for women for skis.
- Climbing skins
- Pack that can carry skis
- A windproof upper body layer
- Water bladder or bottle