Page 58 - Flathead Beacon // 1.14.15

58 | JANUARY 14, 2015 EXPLORE
By TRISTAN SCOTT of the Beacon
The uphill-ski-traffic friendly White- fish Mountain Resort will host its 7th an- nual Whitefish Whiteout ski mountain- eering race at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, when droves of hypoxia-induced skiers and split-boarders will charge up a series of four mountain ascents totaling 4,800 feet of climbing.
The Whitefish Whiteout is a race in the European Randonee tradition. Competitors will skin up the slopes of Big Mountain, re- move their skins and descend the most chal- lenging terrain that conditions permit, vy- ing for the win.
There are three levels of competition – a single ascent, a short course and a long course.
The Whitefish Whiteout is open to any- one who wants to enter any of the categories. Some people take more than three hours to complete the race, while the 2010 winner as- cended to the top of the mountain via Toni Matt in 28 minutes to win the 600-meter vertical dash and take home the $50 cash purse.
Last year, hometown favorite Ben Par- sons fended off stiff competition from a clutch of strong athletes from north of the border when he won the long course in 1:26.57. Parsons will be charging hard on Saturday, and spectators are welcome.
For event details, visit skiwhitefish.com.
OUTDOORS
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Whitefish Whiteout
Ben Parsons of Kalispell ascends a snow covered slope during a ski-mountaineer race at Grand Targhee, Wyo. COURTESY PHOTO
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