COACs VertFest will be held at Mt. Bachelor on Sunday, February 12, 2023 in cooperation with Mt. Bachelor and Crow’s Feet, A Mountain Collective!
The Mt. Bachelor VertFest race is challenging but is meant to be fun as well. Participants will include everything from the superhuman SkiMo racers (man those guys/gals are fast) to recreational backcountry enthusiasts out in costume. This is a celebration of the backcountry and winter tribe. Slog it out with some friends, don your most insane costume, work off those winter beers, just come CELEBRATE!!!
PLEASE NOTE: We will not be doing day of registration. You must register before packet pick up concludes Saturday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
Schedule:
Course Map: here
Saturday, Feb 11, 2023
4:00-6:00 pm: Registration and participant packet pick up at Crow’s Feet, A Mountain Collective
Sunday, Feb 12, 2023
8:00 am Vendor Village opens and racer check-in
9:30 am Racer meeting
10:00 am Race start
09:00 am – 13:00 pm Morning clinics
1:00 pm Last racers cleared from course
1:30 pm Award ceremony
2:00 pm Vendor Village closes
Elite (2 laps): This is the race that puts VertFest at Mt. Bachelor on the map! Make your way from Red Chair base up and over to the bottom of Downunder. Get in the uphill state of mind and start climbing to Pine Marten!! Rip some skins, catch your breath because your going to do it all again. You will have earned your beer if you take this on! In event of weather or conditions hold the Elite category will do 2 Rec laps.
Recreational (1 lap): The Rec race mirrors the Elite race, but will end its ascent behind Pine Marten Lodge. This is for the mere mortals among us. You can race it or just come out and join the fun. Costumes are encouraged!
Splitboard (Elite or Rec course, your call): Categories for the splitties in both elite and Rec categories.
Rookie Rally (Cone lap): The Rookie Rally is for those just getting into ski touring. You will skin from the start/finish line of the main course to the top of the Cone and back down. The goal is to have fun and get a feel for skinning and transitioning. This is the fun family/kid race. Don’t have backcountry gear? You can demo it at the Vendor Village!
Youth Under 15 but racing the Elite or Recreational? We have a special category for you. And a $20 registration fee for the youngsters!
Awards Product awards for top male and female Elite winners, and for category winners. And of course best costume has to take something home!!
Clinic Information:
First Tracks Intro to Backcountry Ski and Splitboarding. We are extremely lucky to have Oregon Ski Guides in the house this year. An OSG guide will be providing a version of their First Tracks introductory course to six lucky folks. Begin with the basics; introduction to backcountry ski/splitboard equipment, skinning techniques, as well as some instruction on avalanche beacon usage and rescue techniques. This program is ideal for folks who have never skied outside of the resorts before.
Companion Rescue: Tim Petersen with COCC will help participants learn the basics of companion rescue, while return participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice to help improve their skills after the course.
Register here