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.