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January 25 - Bloch & Chapleau Arrowhead Uphill And Skimo

 Course Map | Parking Info | 2024 Skimo & Boardmo Results | 2024 Uphill Results

Date, Location & Time

Date: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025

Location: Arrowhead Village | Base of Arrow Bahn Lift

Time: 7 a.m. Start for all racers

Register!

Online Registration | Student Registration

Online Registration closes at 3 p.m. on Friday | Day of Registration opens at 6 a.m. at Race Start

A Favorite Uphill Route Among Locals

We traversed across Beaver Creek and into Arrowhead for the second installment of the VRD Winter Race Series! Participants can choose between *skimo/boardmo and uphill with approximately 1,700 feet of vertical gain from the base of the Arrow Bahn Lift to the top. The event will conclude with breakfast and awards at Broken Arrow Restaurant at the base of Arrowhead. 

Race will consist of skimo, boardmo, and uphill. Uphill can be done on skis, splitboard, snowshoes, spikes, or shoes with tred. Helmet and metal edges are required for the downhill portion of this race. Avalanche gear is not required. 

The Arrow Bahn Lift will not open up until 8:30 a.m. for downloading from the top. Please carry your warmer gear if you plan to wait at the top.

*This is not a true skimo race as there is only one transition and no boot-pack zone.

Race Schedule 
Time:Activity:Location:Address:
Friday - January 24, 2025 4:00-6:00p.m.Pre-Race Registration & Bib PickupTBDTBD
Saturday- January 15, 2025 6:00-7:00a.m.Day-of Registration & Bib PickupBroken Arrow160 Cresta Rd, Edwards, CO 81632
Saturday- January 15, 2025 7:00a.m.Race StartsArrow Bahn Lift160 Cresta Rd, Edwards, CO 81632
Saturday- January 15, 2025 7:30a.m.Start Line ClosesArrow Bahn Lift160 Cresta Rd, Edwards, CO 81632
Saturday- January 15, 2025 8:30a.m.Uphill ClosesArrowhead160 Cresta Rd, Edwards, CO 81632
Saturday- January 15, 2025 8:30a.m.Lift opens for DownloadingArrow Bahn Lift160 Cresta Rd, Edwards, CO 81632

After 8:30 a.m.:

All skimo & boardmo racers are asked to decent down Arrowhead, back to the race start/finish at Arrow Bahn Lift.

All uphill racers must be aware of enountering skiers on the slopes after 8:30a.m.. The gondola will open for downloading at 8:30a.m.

Course Map 

Pre-Ski the course before the signs with Ride W/ GPS! Use the digital map to follow the route and stay on course!

Uphill Traffic is not permitted during lift operating hours 8:15a.m. - 4:00 p.m.. Uphill Traffic is permitted before and after these hours, a headlamp is required. Please stay out of the way of snow groomers and listen to the Arrowhead gate attendants for any terrain closures.

 

Course Directions 

The full course is a 3.4 mile loop with 1,700 vertical feet of elevation gain. Racers will begin next to the Arrow Bahn Lift in Arrowhead.

Uphill route will take participants up Cresta and Pow Wow. The Downhill route will be Golden Bear or Little Brave back to the finish next to the Arrow Bahn Lift.*

There is a mandatory cut-off time for uphill traffic. All racers must reach the top of the Arrow Bahn Lift by 8:40a.m.

*Course is subject to change based on grooming and snow conditions.

Please note that this is not a true skimo race as there is only one transition and no boot-pack zone.

Race Cost 

Online registration is available prior to race day. Day-of registration and bib pickup will be available at Broken Arrow (located slopeside skier's right of the base of the Arrow Bahn Lift) prior to the race, starting at 7 a.m.

Early registration: $36 adults | $25 students

Week-of registration: $42 adults | $30 students

Day-of registration: $50 adults | $37 student

All Race Participants are required to sign a Vail Resorts Release of Liability Form. To save you time, you can print the form and bring it with you to bib pickup. This waiver is seperate from the VRD registration form and must be filled out at each race.

Bib Pickup & In-Person Registration 

Friday, January 24: Racers can pick up their race bib or register ahead of time on saturday, January 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Location TBD

Saturday, January 25: Race day bib pickup and registration will be available at Broken Arrow in Arrowhead Village. Day-of opens at 6:00 a.m.

Race will start next to the Arrow Bahn Lift, just South of Broken Arrow

All Race Participants are required to sign a Vail Resorts Release of Liability Form. To save you time, you can print the form and bring it with you to bib pickup. This waiver is seperate from the VRD registration form and must be filled out at each race.

Parking & Race Start Location 

Arrowhead Village

There is free parking before 8 a.m. at the Arrowhead Parking Lot. Please carpool if possible, as parking is limited.

Race Start

The race will start next to the base of the Arrow Bahn Lift in Arrowhead Village.

Bag & Gear Drop 

Extra clothing can be stored inside Broken Arrow. Near the race start/finish area.

It's important to dress properly for skimo racing. While it's cold out there, you will be warming yourself up through that climb. On the other hand, the decent will be cold with wind chill. Keep both of these things in mind when deciding your outfit to race in. You can have warm insulating layers at Broken Arrow for when you finish.

If you are only doing the uphill, please keep in mind that the lift will not open for downloading until 8:30a.m.. Please race with any additional layers you may need if planning on waiting for the lift to open.

Awards, Categories & Race Swag 

Awards: We will recognize the top three finishers by Category/Age/Gender. Awards and raffle prizes will be distributed on-site following each race.

  • Categories: Uphill with equipment, Uphill without equipment, Skimo (up & down) & Boardmo
  • Age Groups: 19 & under, 20-39, 40-59, 60 and over

Raffle: All racers will be entered into a raffle for great prizes from our sponsors! Winners will be drawn while you're out racing, so check out the registration tent after to see if you won!

Beginner Skin Skiing Clinics 

February 26, 2025, 4-6 p.m.*

Need to work on your skinning skills for a faster transition?  We've got you covered! A beginner skin track clinic will be held at Meadow Mountain on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. for those new to skimo racing. Taught by local backcountry enthusiast Dawes Wilson, the clinic will go over basic skin track skills including kick turns, traction at the limit, pole use, boot packing and transitions as well as a preview of Saturday's race course, time permitting. The clinic is $25 and preregistration is encouraged as participation is limited. Bring required race gear: helmet, backpack, tension devices.

Register Here

*Date is subject to change

February 5, 2025, 12 p.m.

The Vail Nordic Center will be offering a beginner skin ski clinic for people looking to learn about the equipment and how it all functions in a very safe environment. The clinic will have a knowledgable instructor that will teach you the fundamentals before you take the gear on the slopes! This is a great clinic if you're interested in trying skimo but don't know where to start. Call the Vail Nordic Center to register and learn more (980) 476-8366.

Need Gear? 

If you're interested in trying Skimo, but don't have the right equipment. Check out our partners at the Vail Nordic Center for discounted rentals for our Winter Races!

Previous Years: Results & Photos 

Check out Previous Race Results & Photos on the Race Results Webpage.

A Huge Thank You To All Of Our Amazing Sponsors For The 24/25 Winter Races!

The VRD's Winter Races is yours thanks to our title sponsors Bloch & Chapleau Attorneys at LawVail HealthVail Resorts and Beaver Creek Resorts. Thank you to our partners at Alpine Wine & SpiritsMontana SkinsAlpine Quest SportsDynafitOptic NerveThe Steadman ClinicVail Mountain Coffee & Tea, and Cripple Creek Backcountry.

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