The last few years there have been some incredibly fun traverses of Yellowstone National Park on the groomed roads during the winter. The skiing and scenery is phenomenal. In an effort to get a larger crew together for the adventures this year, we are proposing some tentative dates. These are very tentative!
Feb 19-20 range-- West to South Entrance (100K) in one day
Feb 27-March 4 range-- A three day adventure. West Yellowstone to Old Faithful (50K), then to Canyon (70k?) and then back to West Yellowstone (60k?) Mid week makes lodging reservations easier. Weekends make for more reliable grooming schedule. This can be done in 2 days also.
March 11-14-- weather dates if needed
The roads close March 14.
Send an email if interested.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
2010!
Hello skiers!
The gears are in motion for the 2010 Equinox. March 20 and 21 are the dates. New for 2010 is a 2.4 hour category with a 3 km kids loop. Otherwise, expect the same barrel of fun had in previous years. We are constantly working to improve the event so if there are any suggestions that didn't make it onto the post race surveys last year, feel free to email them in. We are also looking for testimonials and quotes that can convey the Equinox experience to others for use on the website and flyer so please send you thought in. equinoxskichallenge@gmail is the best way to get those in.
Hopefully everyone is starting to find snow in their neck of the woods as it is becoming ski season again!
Happy Holidays
The gears are in motion for the 2010 Equinox. March 20 and 21 are the dates. New for 2010 is a 2.4 hour category with a 3 km kids loop. Otherwise, expect the same barrel of fun had in previous years. We are constantly working to improve the event so if there are any suggestions that didn't make it onto the post race surveys last year, feel free to email them in. We are also looking for testimonials and quotes that can convey the Equinox experience to others for use on the website and flyer so please send you thought in. equinoxskichallenge@gmail is the best way to get those in.
Hopefully everyone is starting to find snow in their neck of the woods as it is becoming ski season again!
Happy Holidays
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
2009 wrap up
Well, it happened! There were some FINE costumes, sunshine, slow snow, some fast snow, grizzly tracks, a potluck, a shorter course, close races in the solo 24 Hour and team 12 Hour divisions, rain, snow, free skis, Vince the groomer, a 12 Hour 180km effort by soloist Jonathon Rulseh, Tom Owen pulling away in the closing hours of the 24 Hour solo, a nice bonfire all night and new for 09 was a 4 km kids loop. Complete results for the 2009 Equinox are posted under the "Results" tab of the website.
A few edits to the summary posted on the results page....
-I talked with the Food Bank in West Yellowstone. They weighed the total donations at 152 pounds! More the the estimated 50 initally listed. Nice work everybody! They said 150 pounds of food will help support 10 people for a month...crucial given the current shoulder season of Yellowstone tourism.
-$325 was donated to both Manaia Youth Programs and West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation. Thanks for the support!
-Photos will be posted in a week or two. Sorry for the delay, but the photographer has another full time job and is sorting the pictures which is a long process. He was able to catch nice portraits of every skier so definitely check back later.
-Thanks to all the volunteers. The 2009 race went very smoothly thanks to your efforts.
-Thanks to the town of West Yellowstone for hosting us again and providing support for emerging events such as the Equinox.
-If you are able to support any of our sponsors with business or a simple "Thanks", that would be much appreciated. They are putting a lot into this event given its small size.
-Hope to see y'all in 2010! The 2010 race date will be set in October once the collegiate, olympic, and national race schedule has been set.
A few edits to the summary posted on the results page....
-I talked with the Food Bank in West Yellowstone. They weighed the total donations at 152 pounds! More the the estimated 50 initally listed. Nice work everybody! They said 150 pounds of food will help support 10 people for a month...crucial given the current shoulder season of Yellowstone tourism.
-$325 was donated to both Manaia Youth Programs and West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation. Thanks for the support!
-Photos will be posted in a week or two. Sorry for the delay, but the photographer has another full time job and is sorting the pictures which is a long process. He was able to catch nice portraits of every skier so definitely check back later.
-Thanks to all the volunteers. The 2009 race went very smoothly thanks to your efforts.
-Thanks to the town of West Yellowstone for hosting us again and providing support for emerging events such as the Equinox.
-If you are able to support any of our sponsors with business or a simple "Thanks", that would be much appreciated. They are putting a lot into this event given its small size.
-Hope to see y'all in 2010! The 2010 race date will be set in October once the collegiate, olympic, and national race schedule has been set.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wax report
Hey racers! Weather is beautiful here on the course. Some waxing ideas for the next couple days...
Toko Red HF for AM and overnight
Toko Yellow HF during the day
No-wax classic skis w/ HF paste on kick zone
Structure in base
See y'all tomorrow!
Toko Red HF for AM and overnight
Toko Yellow HF during the day
No-wax classic skis w/ HF paste on kick zone
Structure in base
See y'all tomorrow!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Race week update
Howdy,
We look forward to seeing everyone this weekend. A big thanks to those who have signed up early and volunteered early.
A few final reminders....
Registration/Bib pickup-- 6-9 PM on Friday and 7-9 AM on Saturday at the trailhead building. Checks or cash accepted. If you are planning to register on site, PLEASE come by Friday night or early on Saturday. Racers need a Forest Service trail pass as well. By your own at Freeheel or at registration. Mandatory racer meeting will be at 9:30 AM. The skiing begins at 10 AM.
Kids Course-- A kids loop of 3 km will be set up for racers under 12
Food Bank donations-- bring food donation and get an extra ticket to the raffle. 3-4 pounds earns you one ticket.
Volunteers-- The volunteer sign up sheet will be at registration. Timing and keeping the aid station stocked are the primary jobs in 2 hour shifts. Call if you want to reserve a particular time that works best for you. First come first serve. Volunteers will receive a raffle ticket!
Wax Recommendation-- Check the "Latest News" tab on the website (www.equinoxskichallenge.com) on Friday for a wax recommendation from Toko. Toko wax tech Eric Middelstadt will be on hand to help with waxing as conditions change.
Potluck-- The grill will get going around 6:30pm on Saturday. Everyone is invited. A-F bring salad or pasta/grains, G-M bring grilling items, N-S bring beverages, and T-Z bring desserts.
Facilities- 120 V outlets are available on the outside of the trailhead building for waxing. There are limited socket so bringing your own extension cord and a splitter/powerstrip could be helpful. A microwave and a faucet with warm water are available inside the trailhead building for racers.
Aid Station- At the start/finish and will be stocked with a limited supply of bananas, mini ClifBars, ClifShot, water, and potato chips.
Prize List- Skis from Madshus, jackets from Patagonia and Toko, sunglasses from Rudy Project, handmade pottery, a yoga pass, headlamps from Princeton-Tec, and lots of goodies from Freeheel and Wheel and Gallatin Alpine Sports.
Costumes-- Costume contest at the start! The winner or winning team gets 2 extra raffle tickets! Costume needs to make one 9km lap to be eligable.
Bikes!-- The roads in Yellowstone are beginning to be plowed today. Bring your bikes for a quiet spin on Sunday while there are minimal cars in the Park.
The Schedule--
Friday 6-9pm- registration, bib pick up, volunteer sign up
Saturday 7-9am- registration, bib pickup, volunteer sign up
9:30am- racer meeting
9:45am- costume contest
10am- race begins
4pm- 6 Hour racers begin to finish
5pm- awards for 6 Hour race
6:30pm- potluck gets going
8pm- twilight ends
10pm- 12 Hour racers begin to finish
Sunday 7am- twilight returns
10am- 24 Hour racers begin to finish
10:30am- awards for 12 and 24 hour race and the RAFFLE!
Check the website for further details and FAQ's or call if you have questions.
Drive safe. See ya soon.
We look forward to seeing everyone this weekend. A big thanks to those who have signed up early and volunteered early.
A few final reminders....
Registration/Bib pickup-- 6-9 PM on Friday and 7-9 AM on Saturday at the trailhead building. Checks or cash accepted. If you are planning to register on site, PLEASE come by Friday night or early on Saturday. Racers need a Forest Service trail pass as well. By your own at Freeheel or at registration. Mandatory racer meeting will be at 9:30 AM. The skiing begins at 10 AM.
Kids Course-- A kids loop of 3 km will be set up for racers under 12
Food Bank donations-- bring food donation and get an extra ticket to the raffle. 3-4 pounds earns you one ticket.
Volunteers-- The volunteer sign up sheet will be at registration. Timing and keeping the aid station stocked are the primary jobs in 2 hour shifts. Call if you want to reserve a particular time that works best for you. First come first serve. Volunteers will receive a raffle ticket!
Wax Recommendation-- Check the "Latest News" tab on the website (www.equinoxskichallenge.com) on Friday for a wax recommendation from Toko. Toko wax tech Eric Middelstadt will be on hand to help with waxing as conditions change.
Potluck-- The grill will get going around 6:30pm on Saturday. Everyone is invited. A-F bring salad or pasta/grains, G-M bring grilling items, N-S bring beverages, and T-Z bring desserts.
Facilities- 120 V outlets are available on the outside of the trailhead building for waxing. There are limited socket so bringing your own extension cord and a splitter/powerstrip could be helpful. A microwave and a faucet with warm water are available inside the trailhead building for racers.
Aid Station- At the start/finish and will be stocked with a limited supply of bananas, mini ClifBars, ClifShot, water, and potato chips.
Prize List- Skis from Madshus, jackets from Patagonia and Toko, sunglasses from Rudy Project, handmade pottery, a yoga pass, headlamps from Princeton-Tec, and lots of goodies from Freeheel and Wheel and Gallatin Alpine Sports.
Costumes-- Costume contest at the start! The winner or winning team gets 2 extra raffle tickets! Costume needs to make one 9km lap to be eligable.
Bikes!-- The roads in Yellowstone are beginning to be plowed today. Bring your bikes for a quiet spin on Sunday while there are minimal cars in the Park.
The Schedule--
Friday 6-9pm- registration, bib pick up, volunteer sign up
Saturday 7-9am- registration, bib pickup, volunteer sign up
9:30am- racer meeting
9:45am- costume contest
10am- race begins
4pm- 6 Hour racers begin to finish
5pm- awards for 6 Hour race
6:30pm- potluck gets going
8pm- twilight ends
10pm- 12 Hour racers begin to finish
Sunday 7am- twilight returns
10am- 24 Hour racers begin to finish
10:30am- awards for 12 and 24 hour race and the RAFFLE!
Check the website for further details and FAQ's or call if you have questions.
Drive safe. See ya soon.
Friday, February 27, 2009
2009 News
Hello skiers,
Despite the tropical regional weather, West Yellowstone has plenty of snow. The snowpack there tends to last into late April so things are looking good for the March 21 race day.
Other news...
- Registration is open and filling up. Discounts apply for registering before March 7th.
- 2008 champs 'The Toko Girls' are returning for the 2009 12 Hour event.
- Rudy Project, Yellowstone Expeditions and the Boulder Mountain Tour have joined as our latest sponsors. Madshus is again donating a pair of skis and other goodies from Freeheel and Wheel and Gallatin Alpine Sports will be in the raffle.
- Looking for a training run? Several folks are skiing in Yellowstone National Park on March 9th or 10th. They will likely be going from West Yellowstone to the South Entrance, a 69 mile (about 110km). A shuttle will be arranged to get back to West (or South Entrance) depending on where you start. Groups will be traveling both ways to facilitate swapping vehicles/shuttling. The skiing can be phenomenal in the Park! Last years run took 14 hours with breaks at a very moderate pace. Contact me at equinoxskichallenge@gmail.com if interested.
- Remember to bring some canned food for the West Yellowstone Food Bank and earn an extra ticket for the raffle. 1 ticket per 4 cans/3lbs
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
