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Sugarloaf, Saddleback Give Sport of Ski Mountaineering a Lift – Figuratively Speaking

February 18, 2009 - RANGELEY -- Ski mountaineering – in its finest, competitive form – has made its way to Maine.

This year, Sugarloaf was one of just four mountains in the East that hosted an event sanctioned by the United States Ski Mountaineering Association. Sugarloaf will hold a second on April 25.

And the end of this month in Rangeley, Saddleback will host its first ski mountaineering race. It's not sanctioned – but this community event has the full backing of the ski area.

Saddleback CEO Warren Cook scouted the course.

"He's climbed the course to check it out and he is the one that generally assessed the timing will take anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours," said Saddleback spokesman Steve Prince.

Sugarloaf's first mountaineering race in December had 100 athletes show up and run up the mountain on skis, with head lamps, in the dark, after the lifts closed.

Details of the April event have not been finalized, but mountain officials expect another huge crowd, said spokesman Ethan Austin.

"It's an up-and-coming sport. We think it fits really well with the typical Sugarloafer. It is a unique and fun sport. Most people have never seen an event like that before," Austin said.

The Saddleback race will be held in the afternoon and is expected to court gritty mountaineers. The course circles the entire mountain, taking in the toughest spots -- including Mule Skinner trail, a double-black diamond with multiple fall lines. This rugged, narrow trail has wild twists that will challenge the best skiers.

The race course takes in almost 1,800 feet of vertical gain and drop. But in ski mountaineering, it's a tough call who will finish first.

"It really has a lot to do with each individual's strengths," Prince said.

First place in both the men's and women's division will win a season pass for next winter. The give-away is designed to draw out Maine's best mountaineers. The ski area wants to celebrate this sport that could seem to contradict the culture of pay-as-you-go lift service. It doesn't, Prince said.

Mountaineering is an extension, a first cousin, to lift-based alpine skiing.

"Saddleback definitely has a more backcountry feel to the mountain. We like being able to share the backcountry experience with pretty much everybody. Skiers are skiers, and we like to cater to all skiers," Prince said.

All winter long, Saddleback welcomes ski mountaineers to come hike up and ski down -- at any time, Prince said. Skiers only are asked to check in with mountain operations, to report the route they will take, for safety.

The first annual Saddleback Mountain Challenge calls ski mountaineers to this challenge.

"Historically, when I was a kid, the coming of age for skiers was to ski the challenging (parts) at Saddleback. It was a long bump run, what is now a tight line," Prince said. "So, although this is different, it is the same sentiment, the challenge of being able to access the mountain by your own two feet, and ski down the more challenging terrain."

Saddleback officials hope the February race grows into a signature Maine event.

Skiers can register the day of the event, but are asked to do so beforehand, at www.saddlebackmaine.com. Scouting the course also is recommended.

"I know there are quite a few ski mountaineers in Maine," Prince said. "You can't tell them walking down the street. They look like everybody else. But there are quite a few who like to climb mountains that don't have ski lifts, and ski down.

"It is unique in Maine. A lot of places don't really embrace it. We really do embrace this culture."

RACE PLANS: SADDLEBACK WILL host its first ski mountaineering race at 2 p.m. Feb. 28. To learn more, go online to www.saddlebackmaine.com.
SUGARLOAF IS planning a second hill climb race for April 25. Details to come at www.sugarloaf.com.

DEIRDRE FLEMING, Portland Press Herald, February 12, 2009


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Regions: Rangeley


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