Audi Power of Four Mountain Bike and Trail Run Return Jul. 28-29 Power of Four Triple Crown Power of Two Mountain Bike and 10K Trail Run Available to Competitors
Aspen Snowmass will host the Audi Power of Four Mountain Bike and Trail Run Jul. 28-29 in one exciting weekend packed with a variety of events for all levels of athletes. The races will once again offer entrants a chance to challenge themselves across the unique and varied terrain of the four area mountains—Snowmass, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain. Distance and difficulty options are offered in both the bike and running events, with choices available for all levels. The weekend will also feature a vendor village with product demos in both Aspen and Snowmass.
“We are excited for another Audi Power of Four Weekend and have designed events and courses suitable for all mountain recreation enthusiasts,” says John Rigney, senior vice president strategic alliances and events, Aspen Skiing Company. “The weekend has a bit of everything, from the big signature races to shorter courses, parties and activities for participants and supporters.”
The mountain bike events will take place Saturday, Jul. 28 and will feature 36 mile or 20 mile point-to-point races that will start in Snowmass. For the trail run, the race’s signature event will once again be a point-to-point 50K Ultra that has been named part of the Skyrunner USA Series and will take place Sunday, Jul 29. The 10K and 25K will be run on Sunday, Jul. 29 and finish at the base of Snowmass along with the 50K. All races are spectator friendly and will include a vendor village at the finish line for families and friends to demo products, cheer on finishers, watch the award ceremonies and enjoy the after-race parties.
New last year, a Power of Four Triple Crown prize package was created for athletes who compete in all three Power of Four races (Ski Mountaineering, Trail Run and Mountain Bike). Athletes must finish the full course in all three races to be eligible for the Triple Crown prize, with the winner awarded to the top three combined finishing times for each race within the calendar year. A total prize purse of $5,000 will be divvied amongst the top three men and women finishers. The top three winners for both men and women will be awarded the following: first place, $1,500, second place, $700, third place, $300.
For the ninth year in a row, Aspen Snowmass presents the Audi Power of Four Mountain Bike Race scheduled for Saturday, Jul. 28. The unique 36-mile point-to-point mountain bike race combines single and double track trails across the four ski areas of Aspen Snowmass (Snowmass, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain). The course begins at the base of Snowmass and features 9,300 ft. of vertical gain before ending at the base of Aspen Mountain. The diversity of the terrain and the challenge of tackling the four distinct mountains has placed this race in a category of its own.
Participants will also have the option to race a Power of Two that covers the first two mountains of the full route, Snowmass and Buttermilk. The shorter 20-mile course spans across Snowmass and Buttermilk, and entails riding the popular Snowmass Bike Park trail called Vapor, and the famed Government Trail.
Categories for the Power of Four Mountain Bike Race will be broken into male and female with prizes for the race consisting of a $2,500 prize purse divvied out amongst the top three men and women finishers for the full Power of Four course. All entries includes an exclusive Helly Hansen Power of Four technical shirt, post-race meal, free beer, chip timing with results at the finish line and a custom finisher gift. There will be a vendor village at the finish line in Gondola Plaza with live updates, awards and an after-race party at Ajax Tavern.
For the sixth year in a row, Aspen Snowmass will host the Audi Power of Four Trail Race scheduled for Sunday, Jul. 29. The 50K Ultra and 25K races are both part of the 2018 Skyrunner USA Series.
The 50K Ultra is the event’s signature race. It covers the four Aspen Snowmass mountains (Snowmass, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain) utilizing a mix of single track and dirt road. The course showcases 12,178 ft. of elevation gain and 11,632 ft. of elevation loss across a 31 mile course that begins at the base of Aspen Mountain, climbs to the Sundeck, and then follows single and double-track trails over Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass before finishing in the Snowmass Base Village.
In addition, a 25K race is offered along the famed Government Trail that covers the mountains of Buttermilk and Snowmass. This course option features an elevation gain of 4,918 ft. and 4,483 ft. in elevation loss. A 10K option is also available and will start at the Elk Camp restaurant located mid-mountain at Snowmass and will finish in the Snowmass Base Village.
The 2018 Audi Power of Four Trail Race will have a total prize purse of $4,500. Prizes for the 50K will consist of $3,500 divvied up amongst the top three men and women and $1,000 for the 25K. All participants will receive an exclusive Helly Hansen Power of Four Trail Race technical shirt, post-race meal, free beer, chip timing with results at the finish line and a custom finisher gift. In addition and similar to the bike race, there will be a vendor village at the finish line in Snowmass with live updates, awards and an after-race party.
The Audi Power of Four weekend is made possible by Audi, Helly Hansen, Audi, Helly Hansen, Stance, GoPro, Smith Optics, Resqwater, Adidas Outdoor, Perky Jerky, RX Bar, Lavazza, Two Leaves and a Bud, Town of Snowmass Village, The Aspen Times, and Coca Cola.
