2013 Race Courses
This year, we've decided to exercise our prerogative to change the Race courses. These new courses will ensure consistent winter conditions, improved grooming, and a new experience in "getting out there" for our 45K skiers.
What's new?
- We've moved the start and finish lines for all Races to Columbine.
- 15K skiers will enjoy a more "back country" experience and get a taste of the challenge of the longer courses, as well as the zany feed stations that typify Glide the Divide.
- The 45K course is now 55K. The 55K skiers will be skiing all the way to the Wyoming line and over the Divide. A rare bragging treat!
- The 90K course is now 100K...a new elite milestone to add to your skiing accomplishments!
As always, we will make every effort to keep the courses open and in the best shape possible on Race Day. Not only will the courses be groomed and marked before the Race, but we have the capacity to groom as needed during the event.
The descriptions below provide overviews of each of the three Race courses. It is our responsibility to groom the courses and mark directions and hazards; it is the skiers' responsibility to ski carefully and within his or her limits. Remember, the distances in these descriptions are approximate.
The 100K course is highly challenging with a total climb of around 7,200 feet. The course runs through a remote area of the Routt and Medicine Bow National Forests with part of the trail being on the National Continental Divide Scenic Trail. While the entire course will be expertly groomed, there will be long stretches where solitude and great views (assuming no storm) will be your only company. Snowmobiles may be on the course, so stay aware. You will be required to carry appropriate clothing, food, water and gear to keep warm and fed in the case of emergency. Well-stocked feed stations are located along the way.
Section 1: Starting Line to Little Red Park Aid Station #1 [5.8 km]
From the starting line at Columbine, you'll head out on level terrain and quickly start a 3k gradual climb of 340 feet on Forest Service Road 550. When you reach the apex of this climb, you'll descend about 2.8k and 320 feet to the Little Red Feed Station.
Section 2: Little Red Park Aid Station #1 to Wyoming State Line Aid Station #2 [17.7 km]
You'll leave Little Red Feed Station going left (clockwise on the loop) on FS Road 550. This begins a gradual climb of 1,600 feet over the next 17.7 km to the Wyoming State Line Feed Station.
Section 3: Wyoming State Line Feed Station #2 to Divide Feed Station #3 [10.8 km]
Out of the Wyoming State Line Feed Station you'll start with a gradual climb which will soon become a sharp 8k climb of 900 feet to the top of the Continental Divide. From there it's 2.8k of sharply rolling terrain to the Divide Feed Station.
Section 4: Divide Feed Station #3 back to Little Red Park Feed Station #1 [15.1 km]
Leaving the Divide Feed Station, begin a rolling descent through spectacular back country terrain to Big Red Park. Cross Big Red and ski 3k back to the Little Red Park Feed Station. At this point you will have gone a total of 49.4k.
Sections 5-6-7: "Rinse and repeat" [43.6 km]
When you complete the loop and get back to the Little Red Park Feed Station, turn right and repeat the Sections 2-3-4 (divide loop) for a second time.
Section 7: Little Red Park Feed Station #1 to Finish Line [5.8 km]
This time you'll turn left at the Little Red Park Feed Station and ski the 5.7km back to the Columbine finish line for a total distance of about 100K, total climb of 7,200 feet.
The "short" course is 55 kilometers over the same course as the 100K. Skiers will ski to Wyoming and over the Continental Divide before returning to the Columbine starting line. Total climb on the "short course" is 3,720 feet.
Section 1: Starting Line to Little Red Park Aid Station #1 [5.8 km]
From the starting line at Columbine, you'll head out on level terrain and quickly start a 3k gradual climb of 340 feet on Forest Service Road 550. When you reach the apex of this climb, you'll descend about 2.8k and 320 feet to the Little Red Feed Station.
Section 2: Little Red Park Aid Station #1 to Wyoming State Line Aid Station #2 [17.7 km]
You'll leave Little Red Feed Station going left (clockwise on the loop) on FS Road 550. This begins a gradual climb of 1,600 feet over the next 17.7 km to the Wyoming State Line Feed Station.
Section 3: Wyoming State Line Feed Station #2 to Divide Feed Station #3 [10.8 km]
Out of the Wyoming State Line Feed Station you'll start with a gradual climb which will soon become a sharp 8k climb of 900 feet to the top of the Continental Divide. From there it's 2.8k of sharply rolling terrain to the Divide Feed Station.
Section 4: Divide Feed Station #3 back to Little Red Park Feed Station #1 [15.1 km]
Leaving the Divide Feed Station, begin a rolling descent through spectacular back country terrain to Big Red Park. Cross Big Red and ski 3k back to the Little Red Park Feed Station. At this point you will have gone a total of 49.4k.
Section 5: Little Red Park Feed Station #1 to Finish Line [5.8 km]
When you arrive back at the Little Red Park Feed Station, turn left and ski the 5.8km back to the Columbine finish line for a total distance of about 55.2K, total climb of 3,720 feet.
Coming soon.