Wildside WESTern
Finally, a skimo race that is a bit more beginner friendly but still super fun and interesting! While some of the other races in SnowGoat’s lineup are pretty tough (even the Recreation Loop at Vertfest is pretty stout!), this race is designed to offer a good introduction into skimo racing. However, the race will still have a little bit of everything with some non technical skinning, a bootpack, and finish with some skate skiing to the finish. The hardest skiing is a short section of the black diamond Thunderbolt run before it levels out. But even if you’ve been skimo racing for decades, don’t ignore the race! It is still exciting enough and will be a great early season race to give you a benchmark for your training for the bigger races and test out any new gear you’ve gotten this season.
And to keep the fun going, the Summit of Snoqualmie is hosting live music at the Timberwolf Lodge after the race! Hang out, enjoy some beverages, and get your dance on if your legs can still take it.
Map of the Patrol Race, 1931
The Patrol Race
If you’re a SnowGoat local, chances are you’ve heard of the ORIGINAL ski touring race in Washington, the Mountaineer’s Patrol Race. Original as in….1930 (see map above). While the history of the race is the stuff of legends, the race nowadays is just as cool and is one of our favorites.
New for 2023 is the creation of an Elite category in both the Women’s and Men’s field. Following the old school military patrol ethics, teams will have three partners. Even though the lottery just closed on January 1st, they still have five more slots in the Elite Category. If you and two other team mates move quickly on lightweight equipment and would be targeting a time of under 7 hours to run the 20 mile and 4500ft vertical course then get your team together and reach out to us at patrol.race.coordinator@meanylodge.org. Tell them the SnowGoat sent you!
Dru Bru is back again as THE beverage partner with Vertfest! For as long as we know, they’ve been slinging cold ones at the Beer Garden after everyone’s off the mountain at the race. Whether the skiing was goooood or something you’d rather forget (dang skinny skis), either way it makes the beer taste that much better. Dru Bru has their brewery just across the highway at Summit West. Make sure you check them out and give them a high five for being such great long time supporters!
