Additional Information
Location:
The Tour de Ski will be set in the beautiful San Juan Mountains in the backyard of Durango, Colorado. With its rugged terrain, the start is located at the alpine ski area of Durango Mountain Resort, utilizing the beautiful Hermosa Valley, the largest Roadless area in the state of Colorado. The event operates under a permit from the US Forest Service. The race is unparalleled in its beauty and challenge. With one of the highest race start and finishes in the US with at least 3000 feet of climbing, the race promises to test everyone’s ability. The Hermosa Valley will be groomed for the 20k to encourage all levels to participate. The Durango Nordic Ski Club (Rocky Mountain Division Colorado Cup winners) will participate in the event.
Organizing committee:
With a virtual who’s who in Nordic skiing as the organizing committee, the event has evolved from passion from the entire community of Durango.
Mike Elliott: Two Time Nordic Ski Olympian, Rocky Mountain Division Coach and President of the Durango Nordic Ski Club.
Travis Brown: NCAA All American CU Nordic Ski Team and Olympian (mtb sydney’00)
Jamie Wienk: National Junior Olympic Champion, NCAA competitor, and Former Nordic Ski coach for Telluride Ski and Snow Board Club and the J2 Girls Coach Rocky Mountain Division (2003-2004)
Mary Monroe: Marketing and Non Profit Executive
Bob Rule: Owner of San Juan Ski Company (backcountry guide Service and Snowcat Skiing Operator.
Jeanne Pastore: Mother of two Durango Nordic ski champions, and Durango Nordic Ski Coach.
Matt Dyer: Snow ranger for the Bureau of Land Management
As well as the support of the executive team of DMR, local sponsors and participants.
Packet Pick-up & Late Registration:
Packet/Bib Pick-up: Friday January 22nd 2010 at Backcountry Experience. 5-8pm. You may also register, but it will impose a $10.00 late fee for the 20 and 40k.
If you are unable to pick up your bib on Friday evening, you may pick up your bib at the start line by 8:30 am SHARP.
Race start:
Racers will load onto chair 4 at 8:00 am from the new Mountain Adventure Center at the base of Durango Mountain Resort. The race will begin at the top of chair 4 at 9:00am with mass start waves. 42k (approximately 2800’ elevation gain), 20k, 12k, 6k. There will be a cutoff time at the 20k mark where racers will be turned back. The start/finish will be the same for all distances. There will be heated snow cats at the start/finish line to keep racers’ packs of extra clothes and food.
Aid stations:
There will be 4 aid stations equipped with two race marshals, radio communication, water, warm PowerAde and energy bars. There will also be a safety snowmobile stationed at 20k and at the top of the 46k. Volunteers will be transported to their aid stations by chair 4 and snowmobiles.
First-aid and snowmobile transportation will be provided by the San Juan Sledders. DMR will provide parking, restroom facilities, garbage collection, ski patrol, medical center, and a facility for the awards ceremony.
Course:
The 46k course will start and finish at the intersection of Pinkerton Toll Road and Hermosa Park Road on Purgatory Mountain. The course runs through the Hermosa Valley paralleling the alpine ski mountain, descends down through the valley, repeats a loop, then ascends Hermosa Park Road and turns onto the Cascade Divide Road. The course then continues to ascend up Relay Creek Road which climbs to the top of the course. The loop continues down and reconnects with Cascade Divide Road, down to Hermosa Park Road and finishes at the intersection of Hermosa Park Road and Pinkerton Toll Road. An awards ceremony with food and beverage will be held after the race at a community center at the base of Durango Mountain Resort.
Distance: 6k, 12k, 20k, and a 40k. You will be able to ski down to the bottom of the ski area proceeding the race via Hermosa Park Road.
Start/Finish: Intersection of Pinkerton Toll Road and Hermosa Park Road. There will be volunteers to help you find the Start/Finish
Course Description: This is a Skate Ski Race only!! No Backcountry equipment allowed. This is a marathon ski course that provides you an unparalled view of the San Juan Mountains but RACERS,
PLEASE BE AWARE : THERE IS A 2800FT VERTICAL GAIN ON THE 40 K COURSE
20K…. Start will be at the top of Lift 4 on Purgatory Mountain. You will then proceed to the Hermosa Park Road and ski through the Valley paralleling the Alpine ski mountain. You will descend down through the valley and ski a loop twice and then backtrack on Hermosa Park Road. Finish will be at the Intersection of Hermosa Park Road and Pinkerton Toll Road.
40K ….Start will be at the Top of lift 4 on Purgatory Mountain. You will then proceed to the Hermosa Park Road and ski through the Valley paralleling the Alpine ski mountain. You will descend down through the valley and ski a loop twice. You will then ascend Hermosa Park Road and turn onto the Cascade Divide Road. Following that you will then go up Relay Creek Road which will take you to the top of the Course. Your loop continues down and you will reconnect with Cascade divide road and then down to Hermosa Park Road and the Finish is at the intersection of Hermosa Park Road and Pinkerton Toll Road…
Estimated time for the 40K is 2.5 to 3 Hours. The estimated time for the 20K is 1.5 hours. We will enforce a cut off time for skiers that have not hit the halfway point. This will be determined on race day.
• This is a self-supported event, although we will have two feed stations. We will have First Aid on the course, as well as one Powerade and Food. Do not depend on this as your only support and supply of food. You must bring your own fuel and water.
• This will be a timed event.
• Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 male and female skiers.
• There is a limit of 250 skiers
If you have any questions or concerns or want to volunteer, please email them to Sarah Tescher at Stescher@yahoo.com OR InfO@Trails2000.org
SPONSORED BY: DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT, SAN JUAN SKI COMPANY, DURANGO COCA COLA, BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE, PINE NEEDLE MOUNTAINEERING, BREAD, SNOWMOBILE ADVENTURES, Trails 2000, TREK Brennan Oil North Face Rossignol, San Juan Sledders, Boure, City Mark, Durango Nordic Ski Club, Winter Sports Foundation.
COURSE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO MOTHER NATURE AND UNCONTROLLABLE CIRCUMSTANCES…..
