42 km Race Course Description

This is intended to be an overview, but does contain important information that will help in race strategy and point out caution areas that you should be aware of. Remember the distances on this description are approximate.

Section 1: Start line at Steamboat Lake to Aid 1 at Hahn’s Peak Village, 13.4 km

From start line at Steamboat Lake heading southeast you will go clockwise around Steamboat Lake. The entire loop is rolling with only one short steep climb about 4k from Feed/Aid 1 at Hahn’s Peak Village. You will pass to the left of the Visitors Center and just right of the Start Line where you will cross 129. There will be people to control traffic, but still be aware of traffic on this road. This road crossing may require that you remove your skis, but you will be informed of this race morning.

Section 2: Hahn’s Peak Village Start Line to Little Red Park Aid station, 14 km

Head north of the line. Go a couple of k’s across a meadow then start the Columbine climb (about 1,000 ft in about 5 km). At the top of the climb you will have a fast, but very safe and wide open down hill to the Columbine Cabins. A volunteer will be checking bibs and times at the point that the trail turns right and parallels the road.

At Columbine Cabins you continue down hill for 2 k until you reach the Columbine Parking area. Depending on recent snow, you may be skiing or walking/jogging about 200 meters until you hit trail 550. Volunteers will keep you informed.

Once you are on 550 you will gradually climb for several kilometers. Once you hit the high point you will descend for almost 5 km to the Little Red Park Aid station at 28 km. The cut off time at LRP has been extended by 15 minutes from previous. If you are over 3 hrs and 45 minutes at this point (11:15 AM) you will directed left to the Dead Mexican Loop of the 42 km course. This counterclockwise loop will make your total ski about 55 km.

For everyone under the cut off time who wish to continue on the 90 km, you will head right.

Section 3: Little Red Park Aid station return to Finish Line, 15 km

You then head left (east) across Little Red Park until you come to Feed/Aid 5 for the 90k at the turn off for 509 (only about 2k). Turn right on the 509 for a burley hill. Not real long but steep and at this stage it will feel plenty tough. From Feed/Aid 6 at the top of the climb, it is almost all down hill to the finish, but is it still 11k so pace yourself. The initial part of the down hill will be groomed to perfection, but control your speed as it is steep and through the trees (still groomed 18’)