USSMA announces its 2007 Ski Mountaineering Race Schedule

The United States Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA) 2007 ski mountaineering race series will consist of 6 venues spanning the United States and Canada.  “This year marks the seventh season of ski mountaineering races in the United States.  The growth of this sport is very apparent when you see how many homegrown races are springing up this year.  The 2007 USSMA sanctioned series will travel from the west coast to the east coast and include a new venue in Canada” stated John Scott USSMA’s Executive Director.  “With the support over the years of companies such as Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Life-Link and Suunto this sport has now become a significant part of the winter sports landscape,” said Scott

The 2007 series welcomes Sunshine Village in Banff, Canada as a new venue that will kick off the series race schedule with the Arc’teryx Sunshine Village race on February 3rd.  Greg Hill, three-time winner of the Whistler, Canada race, will organize the Sunshine race.  The series will then travel to Vermont and the Mountain Hardwear Sugarbush/Mad River Glen race that will take place on February 4th.   Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Crested Butte, Colorado is the next race on the schedule on February 10th.  The Series then travels to Kirkwood, California for the Marmot Kirkwood Mountain Resort race on March 3rd.  Alpental, Washington and the Outdoor Research Alpental Race is next on March 18th.  This race will be organized by Martin Volken, well know mountain guide and retailer in the Seattle area.  The Race Series finishes up with the Life-Link North American Championships at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on March 24th

Points are given to the race division competitors at each race that leads to the crowning of the overall Race Series champion in Jackson Hole.  This year, as last year, points can also be earned by competing in the Black Diamond Powder Keg held in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 17th.

Money from the races goes to benefit the avalanche forecast centers or the search and rescue organization in the local communities where the races are held.

Sponsoring the series this year are: Life-Link, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Couloir Magazine, Back Country Magazine, Off-Piste Magazine, Buff, Croakies,  Clif Bar, Suunto, Adventure Medical Kits,  Honey Stinger,  

Keep checking www.USMA.org for updated info or call 800-443-8620 ext 175

There will be both a race and recreation class for both men and women at all races.  The racing division competitors will be able to earn points towards the overall series championship.