The Moonlight series at Sunlight Mountain is back for the 4th year! We have tried many iterations of "town series" races over the years, and by partnering with Sunlight, we have found one that is sure to please racers of all levels. It doesn't hurt to partner with Travis Baptise the most stoked race director to ever freeze his butt off while holding a timing Ipad!
This is the perfect event for a backcountry skier who is race-curious, the runner looking for a winter way to train, or the hardened skimo athlete looking to train with friends and enjoy a beverage afterward.
New to this year we're adding a "non-race" series for uphillers who are new to the sport or want a more leisurely group skin up the resort, without the race aspect.
Moonlight Course Description
There are two options for courses: 1 lap or 2! Everyone starts from the Sunlight lodge and races up under the Sugando lift for about 1000 feet of vertical gain! Skinning is mildly technical and slippery but doable for all levels. As you pass the halfway point, you enter into an Aspen grove to test your kick turns, ending in a boot pack that takes you back to the top of the lift for a transition from boot to ski.
The descent goes down an easy blue run with one steep pitch to test your headlamp skiing skills just a little bit. From the bottom of this descent go into the lodge for the most delicious and affordable beer in the Roaring Fork Valley and a free cookie, or be brave in the long course and ascend the mountain from bottom to top under the Primo chair.
The long course offers 7 transitions on a variety of terrain and gives all racers a chance to practice their boot packs, kick turns and ripping skins. The course is the same every time, so once you earn your Moonlight stripes, there are no worries about getting lost, and you get to see times improve with practice and training.
Whether you want to race or not, bring a friend and come out to see what the next winter Olympic sport is all about. Don't want to race? We have a casual group skin and free rentals from Dynafit to try some fast and light gear in a laid-back setting. All are welcome to join drinks at the mountain base lodge after. For group skin participants, we want you to join in on the après fun, so Cripple Creek Backcountry is providing 1 free drink ticket voucher for participants who register.
This is an awesome opportunity to give it a try! Free Dynafit rentals are available for the first 15 signups that request skis/boots. Dynafit and CCBC staff will be there to give skinning technique tips and to help you get your gear set up.
Swing by a Cripple Creek Backcountry shop before the series to get dialed with all the right layers, a headlamp, gloves, backpack and other accessories.
