Shedhorn Skimo
Saturday, March 16, 2024
The Shedhorn Ski Mountaineering Race returns to Big Sky this March! In this world-class endurance race, you'll work against gravity and come away knowing you completed the toughest SkiMo race course in the country. Taking you up long climbs and down big mountain descents like the Big Couloir, this race is not for the lighthearted.
The Races
The Shedhorn
16+ miles | 8,000 vertical feet
Summiting Lone Peak twice and decending the classic Big Couloir, this route's ups and downs are sure to test even the most advanced athletes. This is a technical ski mountaineering race and is designed to test multiple skill sets:
- 4 alpine climbs with exposure over cliffs and avalanche paths
- Max elevation of 11,166 feet above sea level
- 50°+ boot packs
- 4 alpine ski descents on 45°+ terrain
The Pronghorn
7+ miles | 4,500 vertical feet
Climbing to the top of Lone Peak, descending the Big Couloir, and then up and over the Headwaters Ridge, this shortened version of the Shedhorn is still a test of mountaineering feats:
- 2 alpine climbs with exposure over cliffs and avalanche paths
- Max elevation of 11,166 feet above sea level
- 50°+ boot packs
- 2 alpine ski descents on 45°+ terrain
The Shedling
3 miles | 720 vertical feet
Kids get to join in on the (type two) fun! The Shedling is for junior mountaineers aged 14 & under, traveling up a skin track, transitioning to bootpack, and returning to the base area.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, March 15
5:30 - 7 p.m. Pre-race meeting in the Yellowstone Conference Center - all racers required to attend
Saturday, March 16
6:30 a.m. Racer registration and equipment check in the Yellowstone Conference Center
7:50 a.m. Racers ready at the start line
8 a.m. Race starts from Mountain Village Plaza
10 a.m. Shedling Race starts from Mountain Village Plaza
1 p.m. Shedling awards ceremony in Mountain Village Plaza
5 p.m. Awards ceremony in Mountain Village Plaza
Location & Lodging
Surrounded by the beauty of the Greater Yellowstone Region, wide-open spaces meet dramatic peaks in Big Sky, Montana. Featuring the dramatic Lone Peak, the exposed accents and challenging descents make it a unique landscape for ski mountaineering.
Big Sky has never been easier to access, located an hour-long scenic drive through the Gallatin National Forest from Bozeman. Connected to major cities by over 30 direct flights, Big Sky is the best-served mountain destination in the country.
Stay Mountainside
Save your energy for the mountain and stay steps from the slopes at Big Sky Resort. Book your lodging in advance for the best rates.
Rules & Gear Requirements
Race rules
In order to prioritize the safety of all racers, please abide by the following rules:
- Follow course markings. Athletes must follow the course markings closely in ascent and descent. The racers must go in the direction of the flags.
- Yield track to overtaking racers. Please make way for top racers and racers overtaking you. Racers may step off the track to make space to be overtaken if it is safe to do so.
- Skis must be carried on the backpack using two fastening straps. Straps must be designed for this purpose (skis cannot be carried in shoulder straps and must remain fastened to the back of the competitor). In case the skis come off, the racer must stop and reattach the skis.
- Competitors have to carry out the entire operation required for technique changes within the transition area. Transitions include taking off/putting on skins or crampons, packing/unpacking skins or crampons, fastening/unfastening skis to backpack, and fastening/unfastening boots. These actions should not take place anywhere outside of this area, even upon entering and/or directly after exiting the transition (“change”) area.
- Poles must be laid flat on the ground during transitions. The ski poles must be placed flat on the ground from the beginning until the end of the transition.
- Competitors may only have skins outside of race suits or backpacks during transitions. At all other times, they must pack their skins either to the inside of their ski suit or place them in their backpack.
- Racers must follow flags for mode of locomotion. Flags indicate mode by color: green = up with skins, yellow = up with boots, red = down with skins off and binding heels engaged.
- No littering, gear ditching, or gear caching. Please respect our race environment.
- No outside assistance. The only exception is in the case of exchanging broken equipment.
- Help others in distress or danger if it is safe to do so.
Not adhering to any of the above rules can result in a time penalty or disqualification.
Required Equipment
- Crampons
- Skis - Minimum length for women is 150cm; men is 160cm
- Boots - Toe and heel pieces must be the same brand.
- Poles
- Skins
- TZ 3 Antenna Digital Beacon - (must be ON during entire race, in a zippered pocket OR manufacturer’s harness)
- Shovel - with a separate shaft/handle
- Probe - 240cm minimum length
- Helmet - MIPS recommended
- 2 bottom layers - must include at least one windbreaker outer layer in addition to lycra
- 3 top layers - must include at least one windbreaker outer layer in addition to lycra
- Gloves
- Sunglasses or goggles
- Backpack - must have two connection points for skis to be carried on boot packs
- Whistle
- Space blanket
- Valid ID that can be checked upon request at the finish line.
