Registration opens for Vail Recreation District’s 2025 Bloch & Chapleau winter races
The Vail Recreation District's five-event series begins on Jan. 12 at Beaver Creek
Vail Recreation District/Courtesy photo
Registration is open for the Vail Recreation District’s five-event 2025 winter race series. The 2025 Bloch & Chapleau Winter Races begin on Jan. 12 with the Beaver Creek Uphill/Downhill and concludes at the Vail Nordic Center with the Shamrock Shuffle Snowshoe and Winter Running 10K and 5K on March 15.
“Each provide stunning scenic views that will take your breath away, along with courses designed to challenge runners while still being enjoyable,” a Vail Recreation District press release stated. “Participants can look forward to awards for top finishers and exciting raffle giveaways.”
The race series has grown from two events in 2020 to three in 2021, four in 2022 and 2023 and five last year. There is no series registration, but participants can receive discounted pricing by registering early at
A look at the races
Participants can choose between an uphill (ascent only) or the skimo, which combines athletes’ ascent and descent times. The skimo participants are required to wear a helmet and use skis or snowboards with metal edges. Ascent participants can use snowshoes, skis, splitboards or winter running devices.
The ascent route is a 2,100-foot climb from the base of the Centennial Lift to Spruce Saddle Lodge. 撸先生mo competitors will descend on Gold Dust (course is subject to change based on grooming and snow conditions). A post-race awards and breakfast will take place at Hawk’s Nest Cabin.
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Last year, Josh Ernst in 35 minutes, 31 seconds. Later in the summer, the Breckenridge runner went on to compete in the Vail Hill Climb and also finished in the top-10 at the Pikes Peak Ascent. Kim Dobson 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;the Pikes Peak Ascent record holder 鈥� won the women’s competition in 37:56 as Lisa Isom came in second.
Nick Noone squeaked past former Battle Mountain star runner John O’Neill to take the
- Categories:聽uphill ski, uphill splitboard, uphill non-ski/splitboard, skimo (up and down)
- 颁辞蝉迟:听Adult $36聽/$42 week-of/$50 day-of | Student $25聽/$30 week-of/$37 day-of
Human-powered snow sports reign at the second stop of the winter race series, which travels to Arrowhead for another skimo and uphill competition. The same categories and rules from the Beaver Creek event apply here. Athletes will ascend roughly 1,700 vertical feet in just under 2 miles from the base of Arrowhead Village to the top of the Arrow Bahn Express Lift. The uphill route will take participants up the Cresta and Pow Wow ski runs and Golden Bear will serve as the downhill route. Post-race festivities will be held at Broken Arrow.
Last year’s Brett Donelson (33:55) of Edwards won the skimo title on the men’s side, defeating local endurance sports legend Mike Kloser by just two seconds as Edwards’ Luke Herron (34:04) 鈥� who had led at the end of the ascent 鈥� finished third. Basalt’s Jessica Collentine took the women’s title, defeating Eagle’s Heather Pugh by 14 seconds.
- 颁补迟别驳辞谤颈别蝉:听uphill ski, uphill splitboard, uphill non-ski/splitboard, skimo (up and down)
- 颁辞蝉迟:听Adult $36聽/$42 week-of/$50 day-of | Student $25聽/$30 week-of/$37 day-of
This annual race is held in honor of Vail local Lyndon Ellefson, a key figure in launching the U.S. men’s mountain running team. As such, a portion of the entry fees will go to support the U.S. Mountain running squad. 撸先生ers, snowboarders and runners will climb 2,200 vertical feet of groomed trails to Eagle’s Nest, where a breakfast and awards ceremony awaits.
Ernst , defeating longtime professional U.S. mountain runner Andy Wacker (34:44). Dobson proved her status as the queen of the uphill, taking the women’s title in 36:35.
- Categories:聽ski, splitboard, non-撸先生
- Cost: Adult $36 /$42 week-of/$50 day-of | Student $25 /$30 week-of/$37 day-of
: Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.
Those looking to improve their skin skills will want to join Dawes Wilson for this beginner skin track clinic at Meadow Mountain. The backcountry enthusiast will go over fundamentals including kick turns, traction at the limit, pole use, boot packing and transitions. He will also preview the race course for the Meadow Mountain 撸先生mo event held three days later. is encouraged as participation is limited. Participants should bring required race gear: helmet, backpack and tension devices.
The Meadow Mountain 撸先生mo course is an approximately 2-mile loop, starting and finishing on the bench above the parking lot, with 800 feet of elevation gain. The skin track begins above the Everkrisp Trail closure and includes a mandatory boot pack section. Intermediate and beginner skiers will be allowed to shoulder their skis. A snowshoe race is new for 2025 and will feature its own distinct course.
Finn Brown took the expert men’s title and Tam Donelson won the women’s category.
- Categories:聽splitboard, ski and non-ski, snowshoe
- Cost: Adult $36 /$42 week-of/$50 day-of | Student $25 /$30 week-of/$37 day-of
The series concludes at the Vail Nordic Center for this 5K and 10K run, which also includes a free kids 1K event. Athletes are invited to the Vail Golf & Nordic Clubhouse for a post-race party.
- Categories:聽snowshoes and a non-prize-eligible running shoe category
- Cost:聽Adult $30聽/$35 week-of/$40 day-of |聽Student $25聽/$30 week-of/$37 day-of | Kids聽
