New intermediate course designed for novice competitors
By Carli Johnson SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Big Sky Resort’s 11th annual Shedhorn Skimo race will return to the resort on March 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Athletes have the option to choose from one of four courses, with difficulty ranging from skimo beginners to mountaineering experts.
The most difficult course, the Shedhorn, summits Lone Mountain twice, descending the classic Big Couloir. At 16 miles, 8,000 vertical feet, four alpine climbs, four 45-plus-degree descents, this course is a test for the most advanced athletes, according to a press release.
Assistant ski patrol director Aron Yuster compared the event to The Rut Mountain Runs, noting there is a lot of overlap in competitors.
“Similar to The Rut we have elite athletes competing at the highest level. We also have recreational competitors that are just looking for an opportunity to spend a day exploring Lone Mountain,” Yuster stated in an email response to EBS.
A shorter, yet still difficult course summits Lone Mountain, descends the Big Couloir, then continues up and over the Headwaters Ridge. The Pronghorn course is a shortened version of the Shedhorn and covers seven miles and 4,500 vertical feet.
New this year is the Ramshorn course. This course is for those curious about skimo and wanting to test the waters. The route includes a skin track, a bootpack and a double-black diamond descent down the Headwaters bowl.
“The Shedhorn course can be intimidating to people that are new to the sport. But the Ramshorn is perfect if you are new to Skimo, and the Shedling is a great time for kids and families,” Yuster stated.
The final race, the Shedling, is for kids 14 and under, encouraging young mountain athletes to pick up the sport. Covering three miles and 720 vertical feet, the course travels up a skin track, then to a bootpack and a descent to the base area.
Yuster expressed the rise in popularity of the event over the years. “With the addition of different distances, we have really expanded our reach,” he stated. Registration closes Feb. 27 for anyone looking to spend the day ascending Lone Mountain.
