Nov. 21, 2019—Aspen Snowmass is scheduled to host the tenth annual Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race, Saturday, Feb. 29. For the second year in a row, the Power of Four race will also serve as the US Ski Mountaineering Association National Championships for the team discipline.
“Not only are we incredibly proud of this event turning a decade old, we are also thrilled to partner with USSMA to host the National Championship for the second year in a row” says, Daragh Kneeshaw, events marketing manager, Aspen Snowmass. “As the race grows in popularity each year, we are ready to welcome and watch the top athletes in the US compete on our home stage.”
The Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race is the winter edition of the Power of Four series that includes both a bike and run race in the summer. The ski mountaineering event tests athlete’s endurance as they race in teams of two across all four area mountains on a grueling course that covers 24 miles and more than 10,000 feet of vertical climb. Teams start in Snowmass Village at 6 a.m., traverse to West Buttermilk, skin up Aspen Highlands, including Highland Bowl, ski down the backside of Aspen Highlands along the Congo Trail, skin up Midnight Mine Road and proceed to ski down the front side of Aspen Mountain to complete the race in Gondola Plaza.
In addition to the full course, participants have the option to race a shorter course, The Power of Two that starts at the base of Aspen Highlands and finishes in gondola plaza. The Power of Two begins at 8 a.m. It takes athletes up the famed Highland Bowl, down the Congo Trail, one of the most technical portions of the course, up Midnight Mine road, and down Aspen Mountain.
Categories for the Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race are broken into male, female, coed, and vet. Entry includes a custom Helly Hansen LifaLoft vest, post-race party, awards ceremony and chip timing with results at the finish line.
All athletes competing for points in the National Championships will need a USSMA license number.
The Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race is sponsored by Audi, Bud Light, Helly Hansen, Dynafit, Smith, Rylo, RXBAR, Lavazza, Stance, Hublot, Coca Cola, Frias Properties, The Aspen Times, Supergoop, Two Leaves and a Bud, and Town of Snowmass Village.
For more information on Power of Four or to sign up for the race, visit Aspen Snowmass: Audi Power of Four.
