Vertfest is returning to Mt Bachelor on February 11, 2017!

The 5th annual Vertfest at Mt Bachelor is brought to you by the Central Oregon Avalanche Association and generous support from Outdoor Research, Clif Bar, Crows Feet Commons, Mtn Supply, Black Diamond, 10 Barrel and Mt. Bachelor.

Vertfest is fast becoming the largest national backcountry festival in America. Vertfest Mt. Bachelor is an event to celebrate winter and backcountry culture with a full weekend comprised of races, clinics, demos, beer and fiesta. Overall, Vertfest is a multi-stop mountain festival dedicated to raising the level of snow safety education and stoke for backcountry enthusiasts, and supporting the efforts of avalanche centers everywhere. We hope you will join us for this exciting weekend! All proceeds from the event go towards the efforts of Central Oregon Avalanche Association.

Vertfest hosted by Mt. Bachelor benefits Central Oregon Avalanche Association. COAA promotes increased avalanche awareness and champion increased local forecasting and tracking opportunities along the Cascade mountains of Central Oregon.

SCHEDULE

Friday, February 10

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Pre-registration and racer packet pick-up 

Saturday, February 11

8:00 a.m. Vendor Village and racer check-in / Day-of Registration opens. Free demos at the COAA tent

9:30 a.m. Racer meeting

10:00 a.m. Race start and morning clinics start

1:00 p.m. Last racers cleared from course

1:30 p.m. Award ceremony

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Afternoon clinics start

3:15 p.m. Vendor Village closes

REGISTRATION

Elite, Recreational & Splitboard: $35

Rookie Rally: $25

Young Bucks: $15

Clinics: $30

RACE CATEGORIES AND ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS

The Mt. Bachelor Vertfest race is challenging but is meant to be fun as well. Participants will include everything from the superhuman SkiMO racers (man those guys/gals are fast) to recreational backcountry enthusiasts out in costume. This is a celebration of the backcountry and winter tribe. Slog it out with some friends, don your most insane costume, work off those winter beers, just come CELEBRATE!!!

Elite (Summit Bid or 2 laps): This is the race that puts Mt Bachelor Vertfest @ Mt. Bachelor on the map! Make your way from Red Chair base up and over to the bottom of Downunder. Get in the uphill state of mind and start pushing to the Summit!! You will have earned your beer if you take this on! In event of weather or conditions hold the Elite category will do 2 Rec laps.

Recreational (1 lap): The Rec race mirrors the Elite race, but will end its ascent behind Pine Marten Lodge. This is for the mere mortals among us. You can race it or just come out and join the fun. Costumes are encouraged!

Splitboard (Elite or Rec course, your call): Categories for the splitties in both elite and Rec categories.

Rookie Rally (Cone lap): The Rookie Rally is for those just getting into ski touring. You will skin from the start/finish line of the main course to the top of the Cone and back down. The goal is to have fun and get a feel for skinning and transitioning. This is the fun family/kid race. Don’t have backcountry gear? You can demo it at the Vendor Village!

Young Bucks : Under 13 but racing the Elite or Recreational? We have a special category for you.

Awards : Cash award for top male and female Elite winners. Product awards for category winners. And of course best costume has to take something home!!

Click HERE to view course map.

CLINICS

A.M. Clinics  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Introduction to Backcountry Skiing/Splitboarding (limit 10 participants)
• Presented by Oregon Ski Guides
• For those itching to leave the lifts and enter the backcountry, this clinic will teach you the basics of backcountry ski travel. We will embark on a short tour around the Cone and discuss the necessary equipment, training and techniques needed to travel safely in the backcountry.
• Participants must have AT / telemark / splitboard set up w/ climbing skins or plan on demoing from Vendor Village
• For: Intermediate and above alpine skiers with little or no backcountry experience.

Companion Rescue Clinic  (limit 10 participants)
• Presented by Oregon Ski Guides and Central Oregon Avalanche Association
• Performing a successful companion rescue requires skills, practice, and more practice. This clinic will provide tips and techniques associated with beacon use, shoveling and probing.
• Participants must have ski/splitboard touring gear w/climbing skins along with shovel, probe, and transceiver.

P.M. Clinics  1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Companion Rescue Clinic (limit 10 participants)
Presented by Oregon Ski Guides and Central Oregon Avalanche Association
• Performing a successful companion rescue requires skills, practice, and more practice. This clinic will provide tips and techniques associated with beacon use, shoveling and probing.
• Participants must have ski/splitboard touring gear w/climbing skins along with shovel, probe, and transceiver.

Identifying Avalanche Problems: Learn about risk management (limit 10 participants)
• Presented by Oregon Ski Guides
• Have you ever been in the backcountry and asked yourself or your group any of these questions: Should we dig a pit? If so, what should we look for? Should we do a Compression Test? What about an Extended Column Test? If you have, you’re not alone. Learn to make the right observations at the right time; a key component for better decision making, giving you more time to enjoy a day out.
• Participants must have ski/splitboard touring gear w/climbing skins along with shovel, probe, and transceiver.