The Wasatch Powderkeg celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year. The 2012 event will once again take place at Brighton Ski Resort and will be held on an 11-mile course with six climbs and 6,000 feet of vertical. Better have your touring legs under you! The 10th annual Wasatch Powderkeg happens on March 10.
New to this year’s Wasatch Powderkeg is updated divisions that bring the race in line with other USSMA SkiMo races. We Awards will go to the top 3 finishers of the following divisions:
Men’s AT Race: race gear
Women’s AT Race: race gear
Men’s Heavy Metal Race: normal back country gear
Women’s Heavy Metal Race: normal back country gear
Men’s Rec: any gear on the rec course
Women’s Rec: any gear on the rec course
In addition, there will be new awards given out to the top finishers in special categories. To liven things up even more, a racer will win the PowderWhore award, a prize given to the participant in the race division with the heaviest gear that finishes the race. Other prizes include the Men’s and Women’s Masters (awarded to the top male and female finisher over 50 in either AT Race or Heavy Metal Race divisions,) Best Costume (for those who don’t take anything seriously, especially hardcore rando races,) and new awards for splitboarders – Rec or Heavy Metal.
If you’re not familiar with the Wasatch Powder Keg, then all you need to know is that it’s the biggest backcountry ski touring race in Utah. Every year, competitors use telemark or AT ski gear to race uphill, then ski downhill several times over a challenging course in the Wasatch Mountains.
Of course it wouldn’t be a mountain event without an after party with food, drinks and a raffle.
For much more information, a FAQ, or to register for the race, go to the registration page of the race web site at http://www.wasatchpowderkeg.com/