It has come to our attention that this may not have been made clear enough last year...
COSTUMES ARE VERY ENCOURAGED!
The Friends of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center and the Mount Shasta Ski Park present the 10th annual Shasta Ascension Backcountry Race, a backcountry ski and splitboard race. It follows a traditional ski-mo (ski mountaineering) format of a timed event that follows an established trail through challenging winter alpine terrain while passing through a series of checkpoints. Racers climb and descend under their own power using backcountry skiing equipment and techniques.
Randonee, telemark, and split boards are welcome. Racers should be comfortable climbing and descending advanced terrain.
This year we're continuing with categories for the groms! Got a youngster at home that charges harder than you do, (no shame, they all do) get 'em signed up for the Shasta Ascension Junior Course!
Awards ceremony starts at 12:30pm
Thanks to Timberworks' generous donation we have $1000 in prize money for the top three male and female competitors!
This year’s costume theme is Royalty! Time to bust out that literal crown as you compete with 150 of your friends for the metaphorical crown of King and Queen of the Ascension. So scrape that storage wax off your skis, sharpen those edges, and get down to race up the mountain in support of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center! Prizes will be given for best costume! And really, any and all costumes are encouraged!
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
Skiing - Under 2,900 grams Closed
From the ultra-lightweight race setups to the lighter all-mountain setups. Ski+Binding+Boot of less than 2,900 grams per foot. (6 lbs, 6 oz) Example Setup: Mythic Ski + Dynafit Blacklight Binding + F1 Boot Atomic Backland UL ski + Plum Race Binding + Scarpa Alien Boot
-
$55.49Nov 30 - Jan 17
Splitboard Closed
For those that like their skis hooked together
-
$55.49Nov 30 - Jan 17
Heavy Metal - More than 2,900 grams Closed
Ski+binding+boot weight of more than 2,900 grams (6 pounds, 6 ounces). This event is for any skiers who don't necessarily ascribe to the "light is right" mantra of skimo racing. Want to "race" but don't feel like investing in a lightweight setup? Hop on your daily drivers and rock out in the Heavy Metal category. Example Setup: Rossignol Soul 7 ski + Dynafit Radical binding + K2 Pinnacle boot 100mm+ waisted ski + G3 Ion binding + Nordica Unlimited boot
-
$55.49Nov 30 - Jan 17
15 - 17 yo Closed
For the youngsters who are probably going to beat all of us
-
$28.74Nov 30 - Jan 17
14 & under Closed
For the groms who will DEFINITELY beat all of us within a few years, if not this year
-
FreeNov 30 - Jan 17
Registration
Pre-Registration Packet Pickup:
Already pre-registered? Skip the lines on Saturday morning and pick up your packet the night before. Come to the Upper Lodge at City Park between 4-8pm on Friday, January 19th.
1315 Nixon Rd
Mt Shasta, CA
Registration:
- Open 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM the day of the event.
- Entrance fee is $50 (discount for Members!)
- Divisions for men and women:
- 14 & under (Junior Course)
- 15-17 years (Junior Course)
- 18-29 years
- 30-39 years
- 40-49 years
- 50-59 years
- 60 years and older
- Splitboarders all ages
Rules
Mandatory gear: Racers must carry the following equipment throughout the race.
- Randonee, telemark, or splitboard
- Climbing skins
- Avalanche beacon
- Avalanche probe
- Snow shovel
- Backpack
Recommended gear:
- Water/food
- Wind-proof jacket or shell
Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering for the events, please contact us at hanne.meyers@fmsac.org or casey.glaubman@fmsac.org
Race Rules
- Registration is between 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
- Waivers must be signed by all racers at registration
- Race starts at 10:00 AM
- NO late starts. All racers must be in the starting arena prior to 10:00 AM
- Participants should follow the course as closely as possible
- The participants must use climbing skins for ascending, except in designated boot pack sections.
- Passing is allowed in all areas, safety first.
- Any competitor who is caught up to must immediately yield the trail to the faster participant.
- All racers are obligated to come to the aid of a person in danger.
- Check Points (transitions to or from skinning or skiing) will be marked with flags or banners, and will have a course marshal present.
- At each checkpoint, participants must shout their bib number to the Course Marshal and confirm that Course Marshal replies with your correct number.
- The Race Director reserves the right to modify the event and race course at any time for safety reasons.
- In case of withdrawal during the event, the competitor must notify a Race Marshal (via the closest checkpoint) by any means and in the shortest time possible.
- The Organizers reserve the right to force a competitor to withdraw for health or safety reasons.
Other Activities
The Fifth Season will be sponsoring a backcountry ski demo day. Leading companies representing backcountry ski gear are invited to attend. Demo the very best in ski mountaineering/randonee gear available on the market today for no charge (valid driver’s license and credit card required).
Annual Snow Ball
The Snow Ball will be happening at the City Park. We've got a great band scheduled, with more info on that to come! Tickets will be available at The Fifth Season prior to the event or at the Snow Ball itself.
Course Description
With the new Gray Butte Lift going in last season, the course was changed a bit last year. If you raced last year, you'll be familiar with the flow. If not, check below for a description of the course.
All racers will start at the base area, out in front of Ray's Place. The race will start with a grueling, skins-on ascent to the top of Douglas Butte, where a transition awaits the racers as they prepare to descend North Saddle. At the bottom of North Saddle they'll hang a hard right and head out the Coyote Cat-Track up to the base of Grey Butte. A second ascent, dodging hecklers on and around the Grey Butte Life, sees racers top out near the new patrol shack, near where the old Grey Butte Cabin used to make its home. From there, a swift transition precedes a mad dash out and down towars the eastern-most boundary line. Looping back around to the base of Coyote Gully, racers will throw their skis on their back for a grueling, sweat-soaked bootpack to the top of Coyote Butte. Those that survive will make their final transition before a madcap descent takes the racers back to the base area and Finish Line. To be greeted by throngs of adoring spectators.
All told the course climbs about 2500 vertical feet. Along the way the course is marked with Ascension Flags.
This season's new Junior Course follows the same route but omits the ascent to and ski back from the Grey Butte section. Junior Racers will climb Douglas Butte, descend North Saddle, go out the Coyote Cat-Track, up the Coyote Gully Bootpack, then descend back to the Base Area and Finish Line. Also to be greeted by adoring fans. The Junior Race climbs approximately 1500 vertical feet.
Course Map
Subject to change! New map coming soon!
Contact information
- Event contact
- Casey Glaubman
- fmsac@fmsac.org
- Phone
- +1 360-301-3040
- Website
- Visit website
