About the Wy'easter Skimo Race Series
An exciting and beautiful set of courses at one of the most iconic peaks in the Pacific Northwest, our very own Wy’east! The uphill grind for the downhill party, this grassroots skimo race is designed to create a fun, positive, and inclusive atmosphere to test your skills, build community, and introduce you to this fast and light endurance sport.
The Wy’easter Skimo Series will be offering 3 courses over two-days where you will skin, ski/splitboard, and bootpack (or some combination of these) your way to the finish line. Sign up for one race or the whole series! Whether you are a hardcore skimo athlete in spandex, a newer skier/splitboarder, or a recreational backcountry skiing/splitboarding/telemark enthusiast there is a race and place for you!
Pricing
Prices are for online registration before 2/25 at 5pm only. Day-of registration will increase
Full Series
$45 - Full Series Rec Course (Timberline Vertical Uphill Only + SkiBowl Recreational Course)
$75 - Full Series Long Course (Timberline Vertical Uphill Only + SkiBowl Long Course)
Individual Races
$30 - Timberline Vertical Uphill Only (Feb 26th)
$30 - SkiBowl Recreational Course (Feb 27th)
$60 - SkiBowl Long Course (Feb 27th)
Timberline Vertical Course Description
Race 1: Saturday February 26, 2022
Timberline Summit Pass to Timberline Ski Area
Start Time: 8:00am
The Vertical - Uphill Only Race
LOCATION
Race Start Location: Timberline Summit Pass
Race Finish Location: Timberline Ski Area Lodge
DESCRIPTION
Not much of a skier/splitboarder? No problem! Never tried skimo before? This would be a great first race! Like moving fast uphill? This race is for you to really shine!!
This is an uphill only “vertical” race starting at Timberline Summit Pass in Government Camp, OR and ending up at Timberline Lodge with awards and post-race party at Timberline. The race will take place on Alpine Trail and move up through inbounds areas of Timberline Ski Area ending at the lodge. Participants will be responsible for getting themselves back to Timberline Summit Pass in Government Camp after the race festivities either via ski down or arranging a ride from Timberline Lodge. Climbing skins are required on your skis or splitboard and we can bring a drop bag with warm clothes up to the lodge for you for the post-race festivities (you’ll need to get your gear back down after the race)!
STATS
This is a sustained climb with a vertical gain of about 2,000ft over 3.5 miles with an estimated duration between 40 minutes and 2 hours. The race ends at the Timberline Lodge and does not include a ski descent. The course will be marked with flagging and there will not be aid stations. Racers will be responsible to descend from Timberline Lodge - by skis/snowboard or car.
RECOMMENDED GEAR
Helmet, climbing skins, water, food, and extra layers.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:00am-7:45am - Race Check-in, Bib Pickup, and Gear Drop Bags (warm clothes to be shuttled up to Timberline Lodge for you to use post-race) **Drop bags need to be with us by 7:30am to make it up the access road**
7:45am-8:00am - Ready to race! Meet at staging area ready to go for final on-course debrief
8:00am - Race Start
Post Race - Awards at Timberline
MAP
Stay Tuned For This Addition!
SkiBowl Long Course Description
Race 2: Sunday February 27, 2022
Mt. Hood SkiBowl
Start Time: 9:00am
Long Course
LOCATION
Race Start/Finish Location: Skibowl Base Area
DESCRIPTION
Randonee style (race that includes skinning uphill, bootpacking while carrying your skis on your pack, and skiing downhill) race starting at SkiBowl base area. The long course is for you vert lovers and steep skiing enthusiasts! The course is two laps. Lap 1 follows the Recreational Course up from the base area with a bootpack and an on-piste descent. Lap 2 ascends the same route initially and then traverses the ridgeline west towards Tom Dick and Harry Mountain followed by technical and steep skiing down through the outback that requires expert skiing ability. The course will be marked with flagging and there will not be aid stations.
STATS
The vertical gain is about 5,000ft, the distance is approximately 9 miles, and estimated duration ranges from 2 to 4 hours. **There will be a 4 hour cutoff for this race and you will need to turn back early if not on pace**
REQUIRED GEAR
Avalanche gear (transceiver, shovel, probe) **this can be rented during checkout for a discount and will be brought to the race for you), helmet, climbing skins, backpack that is capable of carrying skis (required for the bootpack section), water, food, and extra layers
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:45am-8:30am - Race Check-in and Bib Pickup
8:45am-9:00am - Ready to race! Meet at the staging area ready to go! There will be an avy gear check (long course only) and final on-course debrief
9:00am - Mass Race Start
Post Race - Awards at Ski Bowl
MAP
Stay Tuned for This Addition!
SkiBowl Recreational Course Description
Race 2: Sunday February 27, 2022
Ski Bowl
Start Time: 9:00am
Recreational Course
LOCATION
Race Start/Finish Location: SkiBowl Base Area
DESCRIPTION
Randonee style (race that includes skinning uphill, bootpacking while carrying your skis on your pack, and skiing downhill) race that starts at SkiBowl base area. Our Recreational course is perfect for newer uphill skiers or people looking for a shorter effort. The course will incorporate one major climb from the SkiBowl base area, a mandatory bootpack section, followed by an on-piste descent. All of our Recreational Course will remain in the ski area boundary and racers will not be required to carry avalanche safety equipment. The course will descend a black ski run. The course will be marked with flagging and there will not be aid stations.
STATS
Stay Tuned on the exact Stats for this course (vertical, distance, estimated time duration)!
REQUIRED GEAR
Helmet, climbing skins, backpack that is capable of carrying skis (required for the mandatory bootpack section) water, food, and extra layers
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:00am-8:00am - Race Check-in and Bib Pickup
8:45am - Ready to race! Meet at the staging area ready to go! There will be an avy gear check (long course only) and final on-course debrief
9:00am - Mass Race Start
Post Race - Awards at SkiBowl
MAP
Stay Tuned For This Addition!
Required Gear
Helmet
Climbing Skins
Food
Water
Extra Layers
Backpack (to attach your skis for the mandatory bootpack) *required for the Sunday Feb 27 RECREATIONAL and LONG courses at ski bowl*
Avalanche gear (transceiver, shovel, probe) *required for the Sunday Feb 27 LONG only course at ski bowl **This can be rented from Mountain Shop for a discount at race checkout**
Schedule
SERIES REGISTRATION SCHEDULE
Series Race 1: Saturday Feb 26th, 2022, The Vertical Uphill Only (Timberline Summit Pass - Timberline Ski Area)
Series Race 2: Sunday Feb 27th, 2022, Recreational Course & Long Course Options (SkiBowl)
Registration Opens: January 17, 2022
Online Registration Closes: February 24, 2022
FEB 26th - THE VERTICAL UPHILL ONLY - RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:00am-7:45am - Race Check-in, Bib Pickup, and Gear Drop Bags (warm clothes to be shuttled up to Timberline Lodge for you to use post-race) **Drop bags need to be with us by 7:30am to make it up the access road**
7:45am-8:00am - Ready to race! Meet at staging area ready to go for final on-course debrief
8:00am - Race Start
8:00am - 10:00am - Estimated Duration
Post Race - Awards at Timberline
FEB 27th - RECREATIONAL AND LONG COURSE - RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:45am-8:30am - Race Check-in and Bib Pickup
8:45am-9:00am - Ready to race! Meet at the staging area ready to go! There will be an avy gear check (long course only) and final on-course debrief
9:00am - Mass Race Start
9:00am - 1:00pm - Estimated Duration: 40 mins-3 hours (recreational course) / 2-4 hours (long course) **There is a 4 hour cutoff time for this race and you will be asked to turn back if not on pace later in the race**
Post Race - Awards at SkiBowl
Race Rules
General Rules for All Courses:
+The race directors reserve the right to delay the start, alter the course, or cancel the race based on snow and weather conditions.
+The race will take place in the Timberline and SkiBowl ski areas. All racers are required to comply with any directives of the ski area staff or ski patrol.
+Participants must wear a helmet for the entire duration of the race.
+Racers must use skins affixed to skis/splitboard on all ascents (no lightweight nordic gear, sorry!)
+Racers must descend with skis/boards in “downhill” mode. Racers may not descend with skins on.
+Racers must attach skis/splitboards to their pack during the “bootpack”. Racers shall not carry skis over the shoulder, in their hands, etc.
+Racers must ensure transition crews see bib numbers before exiting the transition zone.
+Racers must transition within “transition zones” and must set poles flat on the ground for the duration of their transition. This rule is for the safety of all racers and volunteers in the transition area.
+Racers must carry their own food/water and extra layers.
+If a racer chooses to turn around before the checkpoints or the finish, they MUST check in with a course marshal or the race directors at the finish area. Otherwise, search and rescue may commence on your behalf.
Additional rules for the Long Course at Skibowl:
+All participants on the long Skimo course at skibowl are required to have avalanche gear (transceiver, shovel, probe) with them at all times during the race with the transceiver in “send” mode.
+Racers must attach skis/splitboards to their pack during the “bootpack”. Racers shall not carry skis over the shoulder, in their hands, etc. **SkiBowl Long and Short Course will have a bootpack where a backpack is required*
+Racers must carry all their own water and food needed to complete the whole course. There are no aid stations along the routes.
+Racers should carry extra layers, eye protection, first aid supplies, and anything else they might need to be out in the mountains for 2-6 hours in variable weather conditions.
+Be prepared for the unexpected.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Wy’easter Skimo Race Series does not offer refunds on race entry fees. It is unlikely the race will be canceled due to conditions. We will adapt our course in the event weather or avalanche conditions where possible. If we do cancel the race, we will roll over the entry to the following year's race.
Gear
Mountain Shop has alpine touring ski and splitboard rentals available with skins, boots, and poles. Avalanche gear rentals (transceiver, shovel, probe) that are required for the long course at Skibowl are available for a discounted rate at ultrasignup checkout. We also have some lighter weight setups to try out. Reserve your gear online at the link below or stop in!
https://www.mountainshop.net/rentals/reservations.html
Lodging
If you are participating in the series and want to stay locally, try these great options, listed in order of $ - $$$
MAZAMAS LODGE
30500 W Leg Rd, Government Camp, OR 97028
https://mazamas.org/mazamalodge/
BEST WESTERN MOUNT HOOD INN
87450 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, OR 97028
https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.38164.html?iata=00171880&ssob=BLBWI0004G&cid=BLBWI0004G:google:gmb:38164
THE LODGE AT GOVERNMENT CAMP
30521 E Meldrum St #9, Government Camp, OR 97028
https://timberlinelodge.com/lodge/luxury-condominiums
HISTORIC TIMBERLINE LODGE
27500 East Timberline Rd, Government Camp, OR 97028
https://www.timberlinelodge.com/lodge
FAQ's
Can I splitboard?
Yes you can telemark, AT, splitboard
What gear is required?
See the Race Descriptions
Where do the courses start and end?
See Course Descriptions
Will there be aid stations along the routes?
No, there will be volunteers at the transitions checking you in. Bring enough water, food, and clothing to be self-sufficient.
Will the courses be well marked?
Yes, the course will be fully marked to USSMA standards with green flagging on the ascents, red flagging on the descents, and yellow flagging for the bootpack.
Do I need a parking permit?
Yes, you'll need an Oregon Sno Park Permit to park. Mountain Shop carries daily and annual passes that you can grab beforehand.
Are lift tickets required to participate in the races?
Nope!
What happens if it’s a stormy day?
The course may be delayed, modified, or (hopefully not) canceled depending on the weather. This event is in the mountains. Bring layers that allow safe and efficient movement through mountainous terrain.
Any transportation options for the racers?
There are not, unfortunately. Make sure that you plan to either ski down, take the Timberline Shuttle, or have a pre-arranged ride (not that the access road may be closed at the time the race ends because parking is full) for the uphill only Vertical Race at Timberline on Saturday Feb 26th since it is a point to point that starts and ends at different locations.The ski from Timberline Lodge back to Timberline Summit Pass is easy (and fun). Racers can return to Timberline Summit Pass via the uphill route (Alpine Trail).
I still have more questions...
Reach out to jess@mountainshop.net
Volunteering
Thanks for your interest in volunteering! We couldn't do it without your help! Click the link below to complete a short survey and allocated a volunteer job for the event! The series will take place on Saturday February 26th at Timberline (7a meetup and 8a race start) and on Sunday February 27th at SkiBowl (7a meetup and 9a race start). Our needs range from helping with registration, to on-course monitoring, to helping setup and take down flagging for the race.
Cut and paste this link into your browser to signup!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpdmj1iDnzp8RTHYUOvNydiakWQkZu2c0QlxDhcL1zqhRsBg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Event's current local time: 2:55 PM PT
