For additional updates on the Grind, please go toArapahoebasin.com
The Marmot Grind is an uphill, downhill adventure race designed to introduce new participants to backcountry skiing as well as challenge the veteran skier. Races are modeled after European randonee events with competitors beginning on foot and running to clip into their skis. Athletes skin uphill on a challenging course and race down to the finish. Race category vertical is approximately 4,500 ft, recreational 2,000ft.
Recreation Course: Begin in the base area and ascend up High Noon. Continue past Norway chiar lift and up Grizzly Road. Ascend to the top of the Pallavicini chair lift. Move along ridgeline towards Snow Plume Refuge. Continue up to the North Pole Gate. Hike over to the summit of North Pole and then ski down North Pole and lower East Wall. Circle around the Avalancher and follow the flags up a minor hill and then come down through Chisholm Trail through Sundance and back to High Noon to the base area, covering approximately 2,000 vertical feet.
Race Course: This course will travel up High Noon following the recreation course. At the top of the Pallavicini lift, the race level course will cut off to the west to the Pallavicini run. Skins will be removed and the racers will race down Pallavicini to Pali Wog. From there the racers will skin up to the Snow Plume Refuge, traverse slightly and descend 1,000 feet into Montezume Bowl (condition dependent). They will skin up Montezuma Bowl to the top of North Pole. Ski down North Pole to the traverse, cross the traverse and boot pack up Willies Wide (conditions dependent). The racers will ski down Willie's back to the base area, a total of approximately 4,500 feet certical. Course is subject to change due to conditions.
http://www.ussma.org/race/cosmic/2012-04-20/marmot-grind
