United States Ski Mountaineering Association

San Juans Rando Photos and Results

Submitted by admin on April 20, 2009 - 9:13pm

The April 18th San Juans Rando on Molas Pass was North America's first randonee event held entirely in the backcountry. Thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers that made the event such a success - The American Alpine Club, Silverton Powdercats, Pine Needle Mountaineering, The US Forest Service and San Juan County Search and Rescue/Silverton Avalanche School.

The course included a steep couloir, extensive high-alpine terrain and a final descent off the top of Spencer Peak at 13,087. Results are posted on the Races tab. You can find photos of the event on the following name links - both shot by course marshals (thanks guys!) Matt Lanning and Jim Donovan. Congrats to the competitors and we look forward to seeing more of you in the San Juans next year.

USSMA COSMIC

Canadian Nationals Dogtooth Dash Report

Submitted by admin on April 13, 2009 - 10:38am

Ian Gale forwarded the attached report on the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Dogtooth Dash:

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blog overview.doc	28.5 KB

USSMA

May 3rd race at Mt. Bachelor - King and Queen of the Cone

Submitted by admin on March 24, 2009 - 9:06am

Mt. Bachelor and Pine Mt. Sports in Bend are promoting a new event on May 3rd. The King and Queen of the Cone is a benefit for the Central Oregon Environmental Center. Complete event info can be found on the Races tab - and is also attached here.

A great course in a beatiful area of the country - it's a good way to end the season with a race and some backcountry skiing in Oregon.

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King_and_Queen_of_the_cone.pdf	742.26 KB

USSMA

2010 Andorra ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Championship selection for team USA

Submitted by admin on February 18, 2009 - 10:35pm

2010 Andorra ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Championship selection for team USA

US team selection will be determined by results at the 2009 US National Championship and two events in 2010. The women’s team will also allow for selection based on World Cup results.

March 21st, 2009 Jackson Hole Wy. National Championship: top two finishers are automatic selections.

January 9th, 2010 Grand Targhee Wy. Ski Mountaineering Classic: the top three finishers that have not already qualified in 2009 are automatic selections.
January 16th, 2010 Sunlight Mt. Co., Heathen Challenge: the top three finishers that have not already qualified in the previous two events, are automatic selections.

In the event a qualified racer does not wish to participate in the World Championships, the finish order at the January 16th event will determine the next selection.

To encourage racers to travel to all of the selection races, and to determine who races what World Championship events, points will be awarded to the top 10 finishers at the three races. The team member with the highest point total will pick two races of choice (there are four events), then the second-placed team member, until all 8 team members have selected their two races. The remaining “third race start” selections will again begin with the team member with the highest points total.
1st-15, 2nd-12, 3rd-10, 4th-7, 5th-6, 6th-5, 7th-4, 8th-3, 9th-2, 10th-1

Mens and womens teams will include a maximum of 8, with all team members racing at least two events in Andorra - some will race three. As of February 2009, team members are responsible for all of their travel, lodging and race costs. The USSMA will offset costs for the team if any funding develops.

The two highest-ranked US women in the 2008 World Cup standings are automatic selections

Selection criteria rewards athletes that perform at a high level at a specific event vs. accumulating points. This system makes competition for the National team competitive but also accessible - on January 16th, the three fastest skiers in the US (who haven’t yet made the team) will make the team based on their result.

Please email any questions to USSMA Competition Director Pete Swenson at ussmaski@gmail.com

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Andorra_Selection.pdf	31.66 KB

USSMA COSMIC

Crested Butte Rando Series

Submitted by admin on February 17, 2009 - 3:33pm

Crested Butte Announces New Randonnee Race Series

Crested Butte, CO, February 20, 2009 – Crested Butte Mountain Resort announces a new rando race series this winter. With the popularity and demand from regional and local participants from the COSMIC series, Crested Butte Mountain Resort created a series of its own to satiate the hunger for randonnee racing in the Gunnison Valley. “We heard from quite a few people that really wanted to expand on the randonnee series here in Crested Butte,” says Crested Butte Mountain Resorts Director of Operations, Ethan Mueller. “With the Elk Mountain Traverse starting here, the amount of people that skin up the mountain every day, and this being part of the real culture of our area, we know it’s a great complement to the season.”

Race dates are February 26th and March 5th. Registration is day-of at Thin Air Sports in Mountaineer Square beginning at 4pm. Race starts at 4:45pm and entry fee is $10 per person. There will be specials and awards at Butte 66 after the race, so be there as a supporter or a racer to enjoy the fun!

For more information, contact Thin Air Sports at 970-349-4045. Special thanks to Bryan Wickenhauser and Team Salomon / Crested Butte for helping make this happen.

USSMA

Snow King Resort / Heather Paul Thursday Night Hillclimb Series in Jackson Hole

Submitted by admin on February 4, 2009 - 10:04pm

Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wy. is hosting a four-race Thursday night hillclimb series on February 26th, March 5th, March 12th and March 19th.

See attached pdf for complete info.

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Race Flyer.pdf	1.14 MB

USSMA

February 7th and 8th racing East and West

Submitted by admin on February 2, 2009 - 10:56am

The high season of the ski mountaineering calendar begins this weekend.

February 7th - Crested Butte Colorado, the Crested Butte Rando Race starts at 8 am Saturday morning. The ski off the top Mt. Crested Butte/Peel may open for the first time today (monday) and is looking likely for race day. For info: cosmicski.com.

February 8th - Mad River Valley Vermont, the Mountain Hardwear Ski Mountaineering race course takes racers up Mad River Glen ski area, across the Long Trail to Sugarbush ski area. The Long Trail received some snow in the past five days - reports are the trail is skiing "sporty". For more information on the Mad River event click here: ussma.org.

USSMA