*PREVIOUS YEAR’S RACE*

THE FOLLOWING IS FOR HISTORICAL REFERENCE

The 2022 2nd Annual Bacon Brawl at Bluebird Backcountry is Sunday, February 13th.

REGISTRATION IS LIVE - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This year we’re beyond excited to kick off some racing at the most unique ski resort in North America, Bluebird Backcountry.

Bluebird Backcountry perfectly splits the difference between the resort and the true backcountry. Food and drinks are available at the base area, and the après scene includes fire pits and s’mores from Camp Toasted, as well as camaraderie with like-minded folks. Race participants are welcome to explore Bluebird’s 1,200 acres of patrolled in-bounds terrain after the event, and for those who can’t get enough and want to keep exploring before or after the race, overnight camping is also available (four-season rigs recommended).

For racers interested in coming up early: Interested in scouting the course? We're offering 30% off day passes on Th, 2/10 or Fri, 2/11 for those looking to scope out the terrain in advance.

 *** NOTE: THIS RACE IS CAPPED AT 100 PARTICIPANTS ***

COVID PROTOCOL

Racers -All athletes to use a mask (No BUFFS) in the base area and at race start. NO EXCEPTIONS.

All athletes must keep their mask on until 60 seconds after the race has begun

At the 60 second moment it is your personal decision to use a mask / buff during the remainder of the race.

We will then follow all Bluebird Backcountry COVID Guidelines -

Please see the following link - https://bluebirdbackcountry.com/covid/#top

With 4,000–5,000 feet of vert to skin, skate, bootpack, and ski over 9 or 10 miles*, the Bacon Brawl course is designed to reduce even experienced racers’ quads to jelly. Ascents are on steep skin tracks and exposed clifftop ridges, and descents are on ungroomed, heavily treed terrain with myriad natural obstacles (and possibly a mountain lion). As is Bluebird Backcountry tradition, there will be a bacon station at an undisclosed location along the course. This course is for skimo racers who are confident navigating double-black runs on skinny skis.

RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION

The race begins at 8,600 feet above sea level at the Bluebird Backcountry base area. Racers will kick things off by skating up and down 1.2 miles to the start of the Wapiti Way skin track. This 1,000-foot climb through the aspens averages 22 degrees on its way to the Continental Divide, where skiers will drop into the experts-only Hammerdown run, a 1,000-foot descent on treed 50-degree slopes. From here, racers will skin 800 vertical feet through aspen groves on the way to a 600-vertical-foot couloir bootpack, which deposits them at the top of the 1,000-foot Ursa Major run. Racers will ski Ursa Major back to the base area. 

From the base area, pro and rec racers will split off. The pros will tackle the 1,100-vertical-foot climb up Ruder’s Ridge to Upper Ruder’s. This airy clifftop ridge isn’t normally in-bounds, thanks to its exposure, racers will have a rare opportunity to experience its panoramic views. (Keep your wits about you here—Bluebird co-founders describe this section of the course as “delightfully hairy.”) At last, pros will top out on Bear Mountain’s 9,845-foot summit, then take the double-black Skyline to Ursa Major for a 1,250-foot descent all the way back to the base area. 

Rec racers, on the other hand, will skip the final climb up Bear Mountain and instead take a ¾-mile skate to the Perch warming hut, a 500-foot vertical climb to the top of West Bowl, and a run down the Whumphing Willows to finish at the base area. Upon finishing their second lap on Ursa Major, the pros will do a West Bowl lap of their own, following the aforementioned route past the Perch and also finishing at the base area.

As race sites go, Bluebird Backcountry perfectly splits the difference between the resort and the true backcountry. Food and drinks are available at the base area, and the après scene includes fire pits and s’mores from Camp Toasted, as well as camaraderie with like-minded folks.Race participants are welcome to explore Bluebird’s 1,200 acres of patrolled in-bounds terrain on Sunday after the race with their race registration fee —if your quads are still functioning, that is. Overnight camping is also available (four-season rigs recommended).

General Rules and Information:

The race director reserves the right to delay the start, alter the course or cancel the race based on snow, weather and safety conditions.
Racers are required to abide by all directives of the race staff and course marshals.
The race will take place on an operational ski area and all racers are required to comply with any directions or directives of the ski area staff.
Racers are to give the right of way to the customers of the ski area, failure to do so will result in an immediate DQ.
On uphill portions, racers are to stay in the established skin track or within 5 feet of the course markings. On the downhill, racers are required to stay within 30 feet of course markings.
Transitions must occur within 20 feet of transition point.
Racers agree to possible equipment check before race and at the finish line.
All racers regardless of category will have a ski retention device that can include brakes or a leash.
No lightweight Nordic gear is allowed in either category.
Helmets are required to be worn during the ENTIRETY of the race. (These can be bike, ski, climbing or ski mountaineering specific helmets).
If you opt not to finish the race you MUST check in at a course marshal or at the finish area. Otherwise we will be out looking for you.
Racers should be prepared for variable weather including but not limited to snow, high winds and cold temperatures.

“Race Category” Specific Rules and Gear Requirements:

Racers are required to carry standard snow safety equipment: avalanche probe, avalanche shovel and 457 kHz avalanche beacons
A pack that can carry skis
Hydration source (bottle or bladder)
Goggles, helmet shield or sunglasses
Windproof upper body layer must be worn or carried in pack
Skis must be alpine style skis with metal edges (no split boards), randonee or 75mm or NTN telemark bindings are acceptable.
Climbing skins

“Rec Category” Gear Requirements:

Racers are required to carry a hydration source (bottle or bladder)
Goggles, helmet shield or sunglasses
Windproof upper body layer must be worn or carried in pack
Rec participants must also be on alpine style skis or split boards with metal edges. Randonee, tech, telemark or split board bindings are all acceptable in this category.
All participants are required to use climbing skins.