Winter Races
Ski Mountaineering is coming to the Winter Olympics!
While our races arem't true skimo, they are a great introduction to get into the sport! You can strap on your skis, splitboard or running shoes to challenge yourself with a treck up some world class ski resorts!
Online Registration | Registration Form
Course maps and race specifics can be viewed on each race webpage prior to arriving on race day.
The courses are well-marked with big red signs with white arrows to direct you at intersections. Courses will have little colored flags to confirm you are still on the correct course. We believe that our races are clearly marked and take pride in our participants never getting lost.
Please note that GPS data is different from one device to another. If you are comfortable with your devices' accuracy, please default to your own devices' mileage when participating in our races.
Refund Policy
The Vail Recreation District's Winter Races generally operates under a no refund policy. Once an entry fee has been paid, refunds will not be issued, although extenuating circumstances will be considered.
Entry Fee Deferral:
We understand that plans can change, and we offer a flexible deferral option. If you need to change your race, we can defer your entry fee to one of our other races of equal cost within the same calendar year, free of charge.
How to Request a Deferral:
To defer your entry fee to another race, please follow these steps:
- Contact Us: Reach out to sports@vailrec.com or call 970-479-2280
- Select Another Race: Let us know which winter race you would like to participate in instead.
- Adjustment: We will make the necessary adjustments to transfer your entry fee to the selected race.
Important Notes:
- Timing: Requests for deferral must be made prior to the race for which you are originally registered.
- Equal Cost: The deferral option is only available for races that are of equal cost. If the race you wish to defer to has a higher entry fee, you will be responsible for the difference.
- Same Calendar Year: The deferral must be used within the same calendar year as the original race registration.
Weather Policy
Below are the guidelines for how VRD will conduct races in the event of challenging weather. Our primary considerations are the safety of racers, race support staff, race visitors and potential damage to the race venue (trails and infield).
Any decisions regarding cancelling, postponing or altering race start times, length of race, etc. will be made jointly by the VRD Sport’s team and the land manager. Often this decision cannot be made until the day of the race due to the unpredictable and emergent nature of wet or stormy weather. That said, we will do our best to make the call to change venue or reschedule with as much notice as possible.
VRD will make every attempt to notify the racing population via emails, Facebook, and website updates as soon as possible.
VRD Weather Guidelines:
- Races are held on their scheduled dates and times unless the racecourse or weather on the day of the race is deemed un-runnable and/or dangerous.
- The presence of forest fires and poor air quality in and around the race location may cause the postponement or cancellation of an event. In deciding whether to cancel or postpone an event due to smoke from forest fires VRD shall consider the Eagle County Air Quality Guidelines as part of its decision-making process.
- VRD will have the option to delay the start of the race from the published times if the weather has created dangerous conditions. VRD may also reschedule the race for a later date or move the race to a different venue.
- Courses and or lap lengths may be altered or shortened because of weather conditions.
- All racing will stop immediately in the presence of lightning within 8 miles. Course marshals will direct racers off course where they can seek shelter in vehicles or buildings.
- Restarting a race that has been stopped (and course cleared) due to lightning or other emergency: Depending on schedule and number of finishers who have completed the course, the race may be declared over. If time permits, racers may be directed to re-stage at the start line and an abbreviated race will be conducted or race may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Race Fees:
- If a race venue is moved or a race is re-scheduled race fees will automatically be applied to the moved or re-scheduled race.
- If a race is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled due to weather conditions, fees will not be refunded.
Dog Policy
Due to our permits with land owners and for the safety of all runners, spectators, volunteers and staff, dogs are not allowed on course during the Winter Races.
Online registration is available prior to race day. Day-of registration and bib pickup will be available near the race start, prior to the race. You can check the race's webpage to learn exact locations.
*Early registration: $36 adults | $25 students
*Week-of registration: $42 adults | $30 students
*Day-of registration: $50 adults | $37 students
*This price applies to all Winter Races except for the Shamrock Shuffle
For Beaver Creek, Vail & Arrowhead: All Race Participants are required to sign a Vail Resorts Release of Liability Form. To save you time, you can print the form and bring it with you to bib pickup. This waiver is seperate from the VRD registration form and must be filled out at each race.
We will celebrate each race with breakfast and awards. This will take place near the race finish, you can check each race's webpage to learn exact locations.
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: Uphill ski, Uphill splitboard, Uphill non-ski/splitboard, Skimo (up & down) & Boardmo
- Meadow Mountain & Shamrock Shuffle have different categories
- 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!
February 26, 2025, 4-6 p.m.*
Want to learn more about skin skiing as another winter activity? We've got you covered! A beginner skin track clinic will be held at Meadow Mountain on Tuesday, 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
February 5, 2025, 12 p.m.
The Vail Nordic Center will be offering a beginner skin ski clinic for people looking to learn about the equipment and how it all functions in a very safe environment. The clinic will have a knowledgable instructor that will teach you the fundamentals before you take the gear on the slopes! This is a great clinic if you're interested in trying skimo but don't know where to start. Call the Vail Nordic Center to register and learn more (980) 476-8366.
If you're interested in trying Skimo, but don't have the right equipment. Check out our partners at the Vail Nordic Center for discounted rentals for our Winter Races!
We couldn't put on this series without great volunteers to cheer and support our racers! If you are interested in volunteering at a race please contact us at sports@vailrec.com or 970-479-2280.
