COAC’s VertFest will be held at Mt. Bachelor on Sunday, February 09, 2025 in cooperation with Mt. Bachelor.
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, or just come CELEBRATE!!!
All race participants will receive a commemorative race gift thanks to our friends at BlackStrap!
PLEASE NOTE: You will not be able to sign-up for the event on race day. You must register before packet pick up concludes Saturday, Feb. 08 at 7 p.m.
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Saturday, Feb 08, 2023
Location: CRUX
5pm – 7pm: Registration and packet pick up
CRUX will graciously be donating $1 per beer sold during this time to COAC. So come on out grab a beer and mix and mingle with the competition :)
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Sunday, Feb 09, 2023
Location: Base of Red Chair
8am: Vendor Village opens and day-of packet pick up
9am: Volunteer meeting - Required for all volunteers
9:30am: Race meeting - Required for all racers
10am: Race Starts
1pm: Last racers cleared from course
1:30pm: Award ceremony
2pm: Vendor Village closes
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Sunday, Feb 09, 2023
Location: Base of Red Chair
8:30am - 10:30am: Companion Rescue Clinic with Oregon Ski Guides
11:30am - 1:30pm: Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding Clinic with Oregon Ski Guides
RACE CATEGORIES
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!! Rip some skins, catch your breath because your going to do it all again.
The top-3 racers from the Elite Men & Elite Women splitboard categories will get entry into the exclusive Dirksen Derby 18.
Recreational (1 lap): The Rec race mirrors the Elite race, but with less laps. This is for the mere mortals among us. You can race it or just come out and join the fun. Costumes are encouraged!
Cone Rally (Cone lap): The Cone 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? We have a special category for you. The course will be the same as the Recreational Course. Feeling strong, the Elite race has no age limits.
RACE AWARDS
🎉Product awards for top male and female category winners, and for youth winners. And of course best costume has to take something home!!🍾
RACE COURSE
NEW this year, Mt Bachelor Ski Patrol will close the course to the public for racer safety. Updated course details coming soon.
RACE EQUIPMENT
All racers are required to to wear helmets and the COAC supplied race number.
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: 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.
VENDOR VILLAGE
Between the Evergreens will be providing demos. Please contact the shop to confirm equipment availability if you plan to use it for a race or clinic.
Mountain Supply will be providing demos. Please contact the shop to confirm equipment availability if you plan to use it for a race or clinic.
Black Diamond will have skis and avalanche safety gear on hand for you to check out.
Blackstrap showing off their gear to keep you warm and cozy on the mountain. And in addition to the sweet Vertfest SWAG, rumor has it there maybe additional giveaways.
Capacity Performance Therapy will be providing medical coverage, performing injury screens, providing recovery services, and more. Come over to the capacity tent to move and feel better. Leave with a plan of attack to identify and solve movement problems.