Winter Wild is an uphill race series with a twist; the start AND finish are at the bottom (what goes up must come down). Grab your skis, grab your snowshoes, or just grab your favorite winter running shoe/ microspike combo and join us for some winter fun. Do you like first tracks? Great; us too! Each event takes place before the mountain even opens. We’ll be up and down before the lifts start running.
When Winter Wild first began, uphilling wasn’t quite so popular. With years of experience and a better understanding of how uphilling benefits local ski resorts and the community it’s solidified its place as a regular winter pastime. Some athletes choose to run with sneakers and microspikes (our most popular category), a few prefer the added workout of snowshoes, and some enjoy skiing uphill in the ‘heavy metal’ category. Call it skinning or alpine touring, whatever you call it, it has added a whole new dimension of fun and purpose to winter recreation. We’re proud to continue to be a part of the uphilling movement and are dedicated to working respectfully with our local ski areas so that it continues.
Location: Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway, NH
Start Time: 6:00am - Behind the ticket building (follow signs to event start)
End Time: 8:30am - Everyone MUST be off the mountain before the lifts start spinning.
Prizes: Raffle prizes at the end inside the heated tent at the base of Cranmore.
Course: A 2.7mile (1,129' Vert) counterclockwise loop to the summit, and returning back to start/finish. Racers have the option to complete a second untimed lap if you are back by 8:30am.
Bonus: All participants will have an uphill ski pass to use for the remainder of the day.
Rules to participate
- Whatever you wear up the hill is what you descend with... (For instance: if you snowshoe up, you will snowshoe down and be listed in the snowshoe category).
- There is one exception to this rule and that is if you would like to use a snowboard you may carry it on your back up the hill and then snowboard down. You will be listed in the Heavy Metal Category. You cannot leave anything stashed anywhere on the mountain! Whatever you go up with, you must return with to the start line. Leave No Trace.
- If you use poles up the hill, then you must go down the hill with your poles.
- Helmets are required if you are skiing! A ski helmet or bike helmet will work. It’s for your own safety!
- No sleds or blades will be allowed.
- Acceptable devices are: XC Skis, Randonnée or Telemark Skis, snowboard, snowshoes, Microspikes or similar foot traction... or just plain running shoes.
- Sign those waivers!
- Additional guidelines added based on the requirements of our hosting ski resorts
Categories
- Running/Hiking (Microspikes, running shoes, Yaxtrax, studded shoes, etc)
- Snowshoe
- Ski
Age Groups
- Male & Female 14 & under (Free), 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
Racing Age
Age group will be determined by your age on May 1st of the racing season. We want people competing in the same age group throughout the series so please be aware and register accordingly.