Winter Wild Series: Snowy Racing Adventures During New England’s Most Beautiful Time of Year
Feb 12, 2018 08:08PM ● By Victoria Pipas
Are you an outdoor exercise enthusiast? Do you love competing in races all year long? Are you looking to spend more time on fresh powder? Look no further than the Winter Wild Series, a sequence of “uphilling” races that allow you to use any human-powered means of travel you choose to get up and down a mountain as quickly as possible. The only rule? You have to go up the mountain the same way you come down, whether on skis, snowshoes, or your own two feet (maybe with microspikes attached). Read on for more information about this thrilling winter adventure!
The Winter Wild Series promotes trail racing and mountain climbing during New England’s most beautiful but chilliest time of year. In 2010, the series won the New Hampshire Outstanding Achievement Award, granted by New Hampshire’s Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health to individuals or organizations improving the health of Granite State residents.
Participants of all ages, experience, and athletic ability compete in these races, some for the fun of being on the snow, and some eager to test their speeds against other racers. One participant, Katie Robbins, says she and her daughter look forward to these early Saturday mornings all winter long. She describes the experience of Winter Wild races as a combined sensation of “joie de vivre” and “what in the world have I gotten myself into,” with a great feeling of accomplishment at the end of every race. Her daughter, Liesel Robbins, expresses the incredible awe and satisfaction she gets arriving at the top of a mountain right around sunrise.
“How often do you get to say you conquered a mountain and still have a whole day before you?” she says. No matter what your goal, bring your family and friends to these chilly yet heartwarming events so they too can enjoy the pride and thrill of conquering a mountain before daybreak.
The Winter Wild races usually begin early in the morning, when a crowd of mittened and jacketed participants gathers at the base of the designated mountain. The course often goes up the face of the ski mountain, so the views are spectacular at the top and on the way down. So far this year, locations have included spots in both Vermont and New Hampshire including Magic Mountain, Ragged Mountain, Crotched Mountain, Pats Peak, and Whaleback. The Winter Wild series runs throughout the entire snow season, from midway through December to the end of March.
Although the series is halfway through this year, there’s still time to participate in numerous races at different mountains across the twin state region. February 17th will offer an exciting night event at Ascutney Mountain. The check-in is in the evening, and the race starts at 6 pm. The 5k distance includes 800 vertical feet, so headlamps and gear that offers traction are highly recommended. Register online now for a discounted price; kids under 15 race for free, and there is a reduced entry price for teens.
Looking forward to the rest of the season, the March lineup includes races at Gunstock, Waterville Valley, Cannon Mountain, and a final Spring Fling event at Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts.
For a full listing of events, checkout their homepage and sign up now so you don’t miss out on the fun!
The Winter Wild Series promotes trail racing and mountain climbing during New England’s most beautiful but chilliest time of year. In 2010, the series won the New Hampshire Outstanding Achievement Award, granted by New Hampshire’s Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health to individuals or organizations improving the health of Granite State residents.
Participants of all ages, experience, and athletic ability compete in these races, some for the fun of being on the snow, and some eager to test their speeds against other racers. One participant, Katie Robbins, says she and her daughter look forward to these early Saturday mornings all winter long. She describes the experience of Winter Wild races as a combined sensation of “joie de vivre” and “what in the world have I gotten myself into,” with a great feeling of accomplishment at the end of every race. Her daughter, Liesel Robbins, expresses the incredible awe and satisfaction she gets arriving at the top of a mountain right around sunrise.
“How often do you get to say you conquered a mountain and still have a whole day before you?” she says. No matter what your goal, bring your family and friends to these chilly yet heartwarming events so they too can enjoy the pride and thrill of conquering a mountain before daybreak.
The Winter Wild races usually begin early in the morning, when a crowd of mittened and jacketed participants gathers at the base of the designated mountain. The course often goes up the face of the ski mountain, so the views are spectacular at the top and on the way down. So far this year, locations have included spots in both Vermont and New Hampshire including Magic Mountain, Ragged Mountain, Crotched Mountain, Pats Peak, and Whaleback. The Winter Wild series runs throughout the entire snow season, from midway through December to the end of March.
Although the series is halfway through this year, there’s still time to participate in numerous races at different mountains across the twin state region. February 17th will offer an exciting night event at Ascutney Mountain. The check-in is in the evening, and the race starts at 6 pm. The 5k distance includes 800 vertical feet, so headlamps and gear that offers traction are highly recommended. Register online now for a discounted price; kids under 15 race for free, and there is a reduced entry price for teens.
Looking forward to the rest of the season, the March lineup includes races at Gunstock, Waterville Valley, Cannon Mountain, and a final Spring Fling event at Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts.
For a full listing of events, checkout their homepage and sign up now so you don’t miss out on the fun!
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