Race Courses
The trails used for Glide the Divide are made up of Colorado State Park trails at Steamboat Lake State Park, United States Forest Service trails through the North Routt and Medicine Bow National Forests and special easements through private property. For just one day each year all these trails are marked, connected and machined-groomed specifically for cross country skiers. We will be using the same 90k and 45k courses that have challenged you in previous years. The 15k course will take skiers on a scenic route around Steamboat Lake.
Every effort will been made 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.
NOTE: Contingency courses have been set up if either poor snow conditions or excessive snow conditions occur. Contingency maps will be posted a couple of days before Race Day if needed . We have never had to change the course due to weather or poor snow conditions.
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: For best results look at the maps and profiles along with these overviews.
The 90k course is highly challenging with a total climb of around 6,500 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. Snow mobiles 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 aid stations are located about every 15 kilometers.
Section 1: Starting Line to Hahn's Peak Aid Station #1 [14 km]
From the starting line at the Steamboat Lake State Park Visitor's Center, head southeast and go clockwise around Steamboat Lake. The entire loop is rolling with only one short steep climb about 4 kilometers from Aid Station #1 at Hahn's Peak Village. You will pass to the left of the Visitors Center and just right of the Start Line where you will cross RCR 129. There will be people to control traffic, but be aware of traffic on this road. This road crossing may require that you remove your skis, but you will be informed of this on race morning.
Section 2: Hahn's Peak to Little Red Park Aid Station #2 [15 km]
Cross RCR 129 and head north. Go a couple of kilometers across a meadow, and then start the Columbine climb (about 1,000 ft in about 5 km). At the top of the climb you will have a fast, but very safe and wide open downhill to the Columbine Cabins. A volunteer will be checking bibs and times at the point where the trail turns right and parallels the road.
At Columbine Cabins continue downhill for 2 kilometers until you reach the Columbine Parking area. The trail bypasses the parking area so no ski dismount is required as there was in 2005.
Once you are on FSR 550 you will gradually climb for several kilometers until you reach the course high point. From here you will descend for almost 5 kilometers to the Little Red Park Aid Station at about 30 kilometers.
Get a good feed and then head north on 550 toward Whisky Park.
Section 3a: Little Red Park Aid Station #2 to Wyoming State Line Aid Station #3 [22 km]
Your next 22 kilometers starts with some gently rolling terrain followed by a long enjoyable downhill, and then a long gradual up hill which will bring you to the Wyoming State Line and beyond the halfway point. Get a good feed and rest here, because other than a short down hill you will be doing over 1,000 feet of climbing without much of a break up to the Continental Divide Trail.
Section 3b: Wyoming State Line Aid Station #3 to Continental Divide Aid Station #4 [12 km]
Out of the Wyoming State Line Aid Station you climb for about 1,000 ft. to the top of the Continental Divide Scenic Trail. At the top of the Continental Divide Trail you still face some steep rollers, but it is all worth it because the next stop is the Continental Divide Aid Station (Good Time Feed and Espresso Bar). There you may want a double espresso or two for the 1,300 ft descent back to Farwell Pass (Live Free or Die) Aid Station. The downhill is long, but should be in good shape and is not too steep.
Section 4: Continental Divide Aid Station #4 to Farwell Pass (Live Free or Die) Aid Station #5 [16k]
From the Continental Divide Aid Station you descend to Big Red Park, do some rollers and then enter Little Red Park. At Little Red Park you turn left and head up Farwell Pass. This is about 2 to 3 kilometers, but steep. At the top of Farwell Pass you will be at the Mark's Family Aid Station.
Section 5: Farwell Pass Aid Station #5 to Finish at Hahn's Peak Roadhouse [11 km]
From the Farwell Pass Aid Station at the top of the climb, it is almost all downhill to the finish, but it's still 11 kilometers, so pace yourself. The initial part is a little steep, but after that gradual downhills most of the way. You will encounter a couple of very short, steep uphill climbs and one very gradual climb. When you are almost back to Hahn's Peak Village you will turn left across a large meadow to the finish line at Hahn's Peak Roadhouse.
The "short" course is 45 kilometers over hilly and moderately technical terrain. There are some good climbs and fast descents. Total vertical climbing is about 2,840 feet. Don't underestimate this course...it will tire you out!
Section 1: Starting Line to Hahn's Peak Aid Station #1 [14 km]
From the starting line at the Steamboat Lake State Park Visitor's Center, head southeast and go clockwise around Steamboat Lake. The entire loop is rolling with only one short steep climb about 4 kilometers from Aid Station #1 at Hahn's Peak Village. You will pass to the left of the Visitors Center and just right of the Start Line where you will cross RCR 129. There will be people to control traffic, but be aware of traffic on this road. This road crossing may require that you remove your skis, but you will be informed of this on race morning.
Section 2: Hahn's Peak to Little Red Park Aid Station #2 [15 km]
Cross RCR 129 and head north. Go a couple of kilometers across a meadow, and then start the Columbine climb (about 1,000 ft in about 5 km). At the top of the climb you will have a fast, but very safe and wide open downhill to the Columbine Cabins. A volunteer will be checking bibs and times at the point where the trail turns right and parallels the road.
At Columbine Cabins continue downhill for 2 kilometers until you reach the Columbine Parking area. The trail bypasses the parking area so no ski dismount is required as there was in 2005.
Once you are on FSR 550 you will gradually climb for several kilometers until you reach the course high point. From here you will descend for almost 5 kilometers to the Little Red Park Aid Station at about 30 kilometers. Get a good feed and head right (east) across Little Red Park to FSR 509 where you turn right and head up Farwell Pass.
Section 3: Little Red Park Aid Station #2 to Farwell Pass (Live Free or Die) Aid Station #5 to Finish Line [16 km]
Once you turn right off of Little Red Park you will start climbing after a couple of kilometers. There is a steep 2-kilometer climb gaining several hundred feet. At the top of the pass is the Mark's Family Aid Station #3 to help get you home. From this Station it is roughly 1,400 ft of descent in 10 kilometers -- a couple of very short, steep uphill climbs and one very gradual climb; the rest is obviously down. When you are almost back to Hahn's Peak Village you will turn left across a large meadow to the finish line at Hahn's Peak Roadhouse.
Coming soon.