Castle Mountain 2022: Race Info & Registration

Please Note: this post contains details for the 2022 edition of this race. If you’re looking for the 2023 race, click here!

Ski Mountaineering Competition Canada is excited to kick off the Canada Cup circuit at Alberta’s Castle Mountain Resort in just one week’s time! This long standing event is always excellent and 2022 will be no exception. After a year apart, we can’t wait to get back to racing.

A note from the race director: the organizing team implores anyone who has not yet signed up to do so as soon as possible. In the age of COVID, it is hugely helpful to have participant numbers early, so if you’re coming, please let us know! Click here to register. Right now. We’ll wait.

Ok, registered? Time for some Race Info:

Friday Jan 7 – Vertical Race

• Start location: Castle Mountain Resort Base Area – Whiskey Jack Run
• Schedule
  • 3:00PM – 3:15PM
    • Bag drop & racer instructions
  • 3:30PM
    • Race Start
• Divisions
  • Adult (18+)
  • Junior (U19)
  • Masters (35+)
• Course: 556m glevation gain
• See briefing package (download at bottom of post) for further details on course, required gear, etc

Saturday Jan 8 – Sprint Race

• Location: Castle Mountain Resort Base Area – Whiskey Jack Run
• Schedule:
  • 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • Sprint course open for training
    • Uphill lift ticket, race instructions, bib assignments & waivers in Day Lodge
  • 1:00pm
    • Racers to start corral
  • 1:00pm – 3:00pm
    • Individual qualifying runs
    • Race heats (multiple heats, multiple racers per heat)
  • Post Race
    • Vertical & Sprint Awards (outdoors)
• Divisions
  • Adult (18+)
  • Junior (U19)
  • Masters (35+)
• Course
  • ~50m Elevation Gain & Loss
• See briefing package (download at bottom of post) for further details on course, maps, technical details, required gear, etc

Sunday Jan 9 – Individual Race

• Schedule
  • 9:45am
    • All racers report to start area below the Green Chair at the base of Castle Mountain Resort
    • Beacon check & pre-race instructions, including any route changes and cut off times
  • 10:00am
    • Race starts for all divisions
    • Racer bags moved from start to finish by volunteers
      • Finish area: Base of the ‘Whiskey Jack’ run south of the mountain safety
  • 2:00pm
    • Provisional results and appeal period
    • Awards ceremony (outdoors)
• Divisions
  • Adult (18+) Competitive
  • Adult (18+) Recreational (Short Course)
  • Junior (U19)
  • Masters (35+)
• Competitive Course
  • ~1500m Elevation Gain & Loss
• Recreational/Junior/Masters Course
  • ~1170m Elevation Gain & Loss
• See briefing package (download at bottom of post) for further details on course, maps, technical details, required gear, etc

Important Notes:

• For all the critical information for all three race days, please download/read the full race briefing below. There will be no indoor pre-race meetings; you must read the race info prior to the race.
• This RD’s update on COVID19 measures applies to all posted information and includes a handful of minor changes.
• SMCC will not require ski brakes or leashes during sanctioned races in 2021/2022. However, host resorts may require retention devices if riding lifts for course access, pre-skiing or before/after races.
• Don’t forget to register ASAP!

See you at Castle!