It is February, and the ninth annual Vertfest event hosted by the Northwest Avalanche Center has begun. Last weekend brought Vertfest to Mt. Bachelor, and this coming weekend, more festivities will be held at Alpental ski area.
The list of events for February 13 and 14 includes an uphill-downhill randonee race, avalanche awareness, steep skiing and women’s specific clinics, along with a host of other events for the whole family.
The headlining uphill-downhill race has five registration categories: Elite, Recreational, Heavy Mettle, Splitboard and Rookie Rally/Team Sprint—with options catering to those who want to hit the slopes hard or just go out for a stroll.
“It is a really great way to bring the backcountry community together,” says Nicholas Rustigian, Program Coordinator for the Northwest Avalanche Center. “The event was cancelled last year because we didn’t have a winter. I think it’s nice to see people excited about winter again.”
Rustigian explains how Vertfest has events that will speak to backcountry beginners and well seasoned skinners. “What’s cool about Vertfest is that at first when people look at it [the event], it might be intimidating as an up and down race, but there is actually something for everyone,” says Rustigian. “We have clinics for beginner backcountry users and a vendor village where a bunch of vendors are out demoing next year’s backcountry gear for free.”
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To find a full list of backcountry events for Vertfest at Alpental, visit nwac.us/vertfest.
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