No racing action took place over the holiday period in North America or on the World Cup circuit.
In other ski news, Colorado has finally received a bit more snow but the entire US Rockies remain anemic. The Pacific Northwest and Canada are faring better with good snow on the Coast and skiing to be found in the Canadian Rockies. An arctic air front has settled in over much of Canada and parts of the US causing a deep freeze (good luck to the East Coast ski mountaineers!).
Europe seems to be faring well, with deep snow in the Alps. If you are considering a Grand Tour skimo event, or hop over just for a vacation, this just might be the deep snow year to do it!
Upcoming Events
ISPO Munich, Germany – Jan 28-31, 2018:
This year we are going to Munich to visit the biggest outdoor show on the planet. Just like the Outdoor Retailer in US (but many times bigger), we are going there to get a preview of all the 2019 ski mountaineering gear so we can share it with you.
COSMIC Grand Mesa Grind at Powderhorn, CO – Jan 6, 2018:
The COSMIC series is scheduled to continue at Powderhorn Resort with one of the more backcountry feeling races of the series, however, snow conditions are proving difficult. Organizers remain in a holding pattern and will keep us posted!
More info at: http://www.cosmicski.com/event/powderhorn
Magic Mountain Skimo Race, VT – Jan 6, 2018:
The Eastern US skimo race season kicks off on January 6 in Vermont at Magic Mountain, the first of the five USSMA-sanctioned races of the NE Rando Race Series.
Total vertical will top out at around 5,100 feet via three cycles of a circuit comprising a very efficient skin track from base to summit, leading to a partial ski descent, followed by a short steep boot-pack, and finally picking up the prior ski descent back down to the base. The skiing will be almost entirely steep moguls, and adding to the challenge will be a currently forecasted continuation of the arctic weather conditions that have dominated all of the East since Christmas.
More info at: http://nerandorace.blogspot.ca/p/course-layout-magic-magic-mtn.html
Castle Mountain Skimo Race, AB – Jan 6-7, 2018:
The second event of the SMCC Canadian Cup takes place on January 6 and 7 at Castle Mountain Resort in southern Alberta.
Saturday’s sprint event will be an excellent opportunity to practice the World Cup format. The individual race on Sunday utilizes the full spread of terrain offered by Castle. Starting with a technical skin track to a rocky ridge boot-pack, then the race descends big perfectly fall-line chutes on the left side of the ski area. The second climb is a groomer grind leading racers up to the top of the resorts side-country cat ski zone and usually descends nice powder fields before shooting down to the village finish area.
Watch out for the usual contingent of Canadian athletes as well as a few Americans making the short trip up from Montana.
More info at: http://www.skimocanada.org/2018-castle-mountain-ski-mountaineering-race/
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