March 1 - Bloch & Chapleau Meadow Mountain Skimo & Snowshoe
Course Map & Parking | 2024 Results | 2024 Race Photos
Date, Location & Time
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Location: Above Meadow Mountain Parking Lot - Minturn, CO
Time: 8 a.m. Expert Categories | 9 a.m. Snowshoe, Intermediate & Beginner Categories
Register!
Online Registration | Student Registration
Online Registration closes at 3 p.m. on Friday | Day of Registration opens at 7 a.m. at Race Start
Once Upon a Time, Meadow Mtn was a Ski Resort
NEW in 2025! Snowshoe category! Snowshoe course is different from the skimo course with only intersections at the skimo transition zones. This course is a 4K loop with 600 feet of elevation gain and breath taking views of the surrounding mountains.
The skimo course is a 2K loop with a mandatory boot-pack area (only experts are required to store the skis on their packs). Experts will complete three (3) laps, intermediate will complete two (2) laps & beginners will complete one (1) lap. This is a great course to challenge yourself and learn more about a new Olympic Sport, Skimo! Invite your friends to compete and prove that you're the best skier on the mountain!
Skimo
Each lap will include uphill skinning, downhill skiing and boot pack hiking. Helmets and metal edges are required for this race. Avalanche gear is not required. No snowshoes or winter running devices. The Snowshoe course will overlap at the 2 transition zones on course, please be careful when in these zones.
Snowshoe
Race course will consist of 2 laps with the course crossing over the skimo course at transition zones. This is a different course from the skimo course and takes racers safely away from the speedy skimo racers as they descent to the finish. Please use caution in the transition zones and allow skiers to pass if necessary.
Transition Zones
There will be a snowshoe race happening simultaneously as the intermediate/beginner skimo. The courses will overlap at the transition zones at the base and peak of the course. Please be caution and considerate of other racers in these zones. Racers will be disqualified if endangering other racers in these zones.
Time: | Activity: | Location: | Address: |
---|---|---|---|
Friday - February 28, 2025 4:00-6:00p.m. | Pre-Race Registration & Bib Pickup | TBD | TBD |
Saturday - March 1, 2025 7:00-8:50a.m. | Day-of Registration & Bib Pickup | Above Meadow Mtn Parking Lot | 24747 US Highway 24, Minturn 81645 |
Saturday - March 1, 2025 8:00a.m. | Expert Start | Above Meadow Mtn Parking Lot | 24747 US Highway 24, Minturn 81645 |
Saturday - March 1, 2025 9:00a.m. | Intermediate Beginner Skimo Start | Above Meadow Mtn Parking Lot | 24747 US Highway 24, Minturn 81645 |
Saturday - March 1, 2025 9:00a.m. | Snowshoe Start | Above Meadow Mtn Parking Lot | 24747 US Highway 24, Minturn 81645 |
Pre-Ski the course before the signs with Ride W/ GPS! Use the digital map to follow the route and stay on course!
Please respect the Evercrisp seasonal wildlife closure. You must have at least a 100' gap between you and the trail at all times. The tree section of the course will be marked in hot pink ribbons come the week of the race.
Skimo
The course is a 1.75-mile loop with 800 vertical feet of elevation gain. Racers will begin and finish on the bench just above the Meadow Mountain parking lot and race up the open slope to looker’s right (west). Approximately, 100 feet above the Everkrisp trail closure, the skin track leads into the trees and includes a mandatory boot pack section.
Expert skiers will be required to attach their skis to their packs during the race. Intermediate and beginner racers can shoulder their skis. The skin track leads to the top of the old chairlift. The course then traverses to the south before descending to the ridge and down to the start/finish area.
Racers doing a second or third lap will ski to the transition zone before beginning transition to repeat the course listed above.
Snowshoe
The course is a mile loop with vetical feet of elevation gain. Racers will begin and finish on the bench just above the Meadow Mountain parking lot and race up the open slop to looker's right (west).
Online registration is available prior to race day. Day-of registration and bib pickup will be available above the Meadow Mountain parking lot 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 students
Friday, February 28, 2025: Racers can pick up their race bib or register ahead of time on Friday, February 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Location TBD.
Saturday, March 1, 2025: Race day bib pickup and registration will be available at the race start/finish above the Meadow Mountain Parking Lot. Day-of opens at 7:00 a.m
Race will start just above the Meadow Mountain Parking Lot.
Parking
Racers are asked to park just west of the race start, next to the railroad tracks. It is a short walk across Highway 24 to the race start.
There is NO racer parking available in the Meadow Mountain Parking Lot
Race Start
The Race will start above the Meadow Mountain Parking Lot (24747 US Highway 24, Minturn 81645). There is no racer parking available in this Parking Lot.
Extra clothing can be stored at the gear tent adjacent to the race start/finish area above the Meadow Mtn Parking Lot.
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 the gear tent for when you finish.
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: Expert (three loops), Intermediate (two loops), Beginner (one loop), Snowshoe
- 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!
Need to work on your skinning skills before you race? We've got you covered! A beginner skin track clinic will be held at Meadow Mountain on Wednesday, 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.
*Date is subject to change
If you're interested in trying Skimo, but don't have the right equipment. Check out our partners at the Vail Nordic Center for a discounted rentals for our Winter Races!
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 Law, Vail Health, Vail Resorts and Beaver Creek Resorts. Thank you to our partners at Alpine Wine & Spirits, Montana Skins, Alpine Quest Sports, Dynafit, Optic Nerve, The Steadman Clinic, Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea, and Cripple Creek Backcountry.