Mild weather for the 2024 iteration of this skimo race. Sunny, relatively warm temps. Wolf creek is fairly north facing and much of the race was in the shade. After some good sized storms early in the ski season, and little to no snow the week before, the race organizers were able to get the ok from patrol to utilize some of the more technical terrain on the mountain for the race this year.

Travel the from South Fork the morning of was easy, with ample parking near the resort. If you find it affordable and you're not familiar with the area...do yourself a favor and stay in Pagosa Springs instead. Pretty much the same distance, much better food options, and some hot springs.

The race commandeered the Base Camp Lodge for handing out race bibs, applying last minute ski wax, and putting on spandex. Lots of storage for bags during the day. Wolf creek is the kind of resort where you don't have to worry about your stuff getting taken on purpose.

8AM race start, with beacon check starting ~15 min before. Race organizers were kind enough to pass a sled around to collect puffies a couple minutes before the race started. I realized while warming up I was overdressed, and took off a layer so I didn't utilize this favor. Ended up racing in alpha direct pants and a sun hoodie, with a skimo.co ski trab race suit ontop.

First ascent was a moderate grade on a groomed run. First descent was on a groomer with some rollers, should be straight lined. I didn't take it so aggressively since I didn't spend any time inspecting the course in person.

The second ascent was up to the peak which requires uphill skiing on-and-off-of groomed runs, up to a flatish run traversing up to the peak. Many people in the pack I was racing with had trouble with the kick turns that were part of this ascent. There weren't many of them, but it was moderately steep and the snow was loose. I saw at least one person fall from the skin track they were on to the skin track below them. Some were obviously expending a lot of energy just to make the turn. Others were already getting skin failures. I made some easy passes at this point and was able to let my HR drop waiting for others to progress up the switchbacks.

Descending off the peak itself was not too technical, maybe a touch rocky. Some of the more technical skiing was on this descent however, where the line gets near the "52 degree trees" trail. A small (like 2-3 foot) cliff drop, and some tree chutes in skimo race skis. Trees weren't too tight. Got the opportunity to let my HR settle again while waiting. Lots of people falling, sometimes in the way, but everyone was having fun with it. I haven't done a whole lot of skimo races (just the Fireball Rando at Ski Santa Fe and Tellurando), this one is first so far for technical skiing. Apparently someone snapped both of their skis during the race. A broken pair is pictured. I didn't hear of anyone getting hurt.

Ascended again up near the peak. On this ascent the pack had thinned out a lot, with skiers either faster or slower than my pace. Some more switch backs and kick turns. If I remember correctly, descending near the bank shot trail was the steepest tree run that felt to be the most "no fall zone" of the race. If the cover was thinner downed trees would have been an issue.

Last-ish ascent up to the Knife Ridge Chutes. Descending off of the Knife Ridge Chutes was the steepest skiing but the snow was phenomenal! By now, my quads were pretty fried so I couldn't ski that hard. I started stopping every now and then to let my HR settle. After the knife ridge chutes, the bulk of the technical skiing was in the rear view mirror. Made it all the way down the mountain for the last transition.

The last ascent was to the finish line and was relatively flat. I was thankful I waxed my skins a few days before. Focused on gliding with every stride to use less energy.

Final time was 2 hours 45 min 20 sec, 45th place.

https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=374918&did=490118

Skimo is a pretty small sport with a very competitive field. If you are new to skimo, don't let it discourage you. Everyone I have met so far, from sponsored skimo racers and top professional ultra runners to professional gear reviewers, has been super friendly.

Some take aways if you're interested in this race:

• There were a significant number of flat to low incline areas. Make sure to wax skins and focus on glide in your strides.

• Wolf creek averages more snow than any other resort in Colorado, but this is an early season race. It looks like the course changes year to year.

• Wolf creek isn't a mega-resort. However, good skiing can be found here. This course covered most of the good stuff, but race fees come with a free lift ticket for the day of the race if you're interested and have the energy for some more downhill after the race.

• There can be some technical skiing on the course (good or bad depending on your perspective), but the mountain does not have a lot of vert so technical sections are short.

Main gear I used:

• 2024/25 Gignoux Race Pro Boot

• Ski Trab Gara World Cup Flex 70 Ski, 162 cm and 64 mm under foot

• Ski Trab Gara Titan Race Binding with Brake

• 1 pair of Colltex Race Crystal Skins

• skimo.co Ski Trab race suit

Overall, it was a fun race. I'll be back!

https://www.strava.com/activities/13074193263