Attention skiers, snowshoers and telemarkers – prepare the gear to tackle one of the most fun and challenging events of the year. The Backcountry Challenge returns to Mad River Glen on Saturday, March 21, with a start time of 10 a.m. and all proceeds benefit the Naturalist Programs. This grueling event pits participants against the backcountry on a route that travels over five miles, while climbing over 2,000 vertical feet. This is not a race. There are no winners and no losers – only those who finish the course and those who do not. Participants may choose their gear – telemark or AT skis with climbing skins, snowshoes or alpine skis – to ascend Stark Mountain on a wooded snowshoe trail, then climb the ridgeline on the Long Trail to the summit and finally descend on the Antelope ski trail to the base area at Mad River Glen.
This event is sponsored by Lawson's Finest Liquids and features a post-event celebration with pints of Three Pin Grin IPA in a souvenir glass and an array of prizes awarded by raffle. Proceeds from this event benefit Mad River Glen's Naturalist Programs which offers environmental education, snowshoe treks and a summer camp for kids. Registration is available online at www.madriverglen.com/events or in person on the morning of the event between 9 and 9:45 a.m. The entry fee includes a pint of beer with glass and raffle.
Mad River Glen is home to an extensive network of over 7 miles of snowshoe trails including a link to the Long Trail. A snowshoe trail day ticket is available for a nominal fee and rentals are available at the mountain. Complete information about Mad River Glen's Naturalist Programs is available at www.madriverglen.com or by contacting the co-op office at (802) 496-3551.
Other events taking place at Mad River Glen include the Mad River Glen Family Tournament on Saturday, March 21, starting at 10 a.m., a performance by The Grift that afternoon, starting at 4 p.m. in General Stark's Pub and the Mad River Valley Mountaineering Race on Sunday, March 22, starting at 9 a.m. For information on the mountaineering race, see sugarbush.com or madriverglen.com.
