Whitefish Whiteout

Whitefish Whiteout - February 8, 2025

The Whitefish Whiteout is a ski mountaineering race. The course will take competitors on an up and down route throughout the USFS permit area of the mountain. Competitors will skin / boot pack up a variety of terrain, remove their skins, then descend a designated route to the next checkpoint / transition. There are four courses of different lengths and difficulties to cater to a wide scope of racer abilities.

This event is a USSMA Sanctioned Race and is part of the Big Sky Cup (a USSMA points style series in the state of Montana including the major skimo events from across the state.) |

2025 COURSE MAPS WILL BE AVAILABLE HERE - COURSE DESCRIPTION, UPDATED MAP AND GOOGLE EARTH / KMZ MAP FILES.

Check out an event recap: Whitefish Whiteout 2023

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This is a technical ski mountaineering race requiring:

Mountaineering Skills: There are three boot packs on the long course. The short course includes less technical ascents, with only one bootpack up an alpine chute in Picture Chutes.

Skiing ability: Much of the course takes place on open ski runs. The only full closures are the boot packs and finish areas. Some of the course uses steep terrain (up to 45 degrees), treed slopes, and may require some wayfinding and could come across deep snow, glide cracks, avalanche debris and other hazards.

Endurance: This racecourse takes place between 4750' and 6819'. Long course may be up to 9 miles in length with a mile or so of vertical climbing.

The Whitefish Whiteout is open to a variety of ability levels – some racers have times that can be close to four hours to complete the long course, or some are so fast enough it looks like they are moonwalking. The Men's record for the initial ascent is Mike Foote in 2017 at 24:52 and the Women's record was set by Lauren Kuennen in 2015 at 32:12.

Required Gear List:

• All participants of the black/long course are part of the sanctioned USSMA race course. USSMA has updated their required gear list. View the list HERE. These items will be checked for those that podium in USSMA divisions, otherwise it is what you see below.
• *Beacon, shovel, and probe are mandatory for all Black course competitors.*
• Skins required, and backup skins can be very helpful in case yours get snowy.
• There are no aid stations or bathrooms along the course.

Post-Race Gear: The start and finish are NOT in the same location. You will be sweaty and cold at the top after you finish. We will bring one very small backpack (under 5 pounds or under 20L volume). You can drop off this jacket/small bag at the bottom of Chair 1 just prior to race start. There is no gear storage at Ed & Mully's / Registration. Please plan accordingly.

SAFETY / CONTROL

• If avalanche control is needed, the start of the event will be delayed until later the same day.
• Most of the course is shared with the skiing public, standard ski area etiquette is required.
• Some portions of the course are outside of the normal uphill route. Some sections (i.e. bootpacks) are closed to the public, but other areas on course are open to the public. Staying close to all course marking is mandatory to reduce any conflicts. Those found cutting corners or beyond 10m of course markers will be DQ'd.
• Inherent Risks.
• Skier Code.

SCHEDULE

• Mandatory online pre-registration closes at 7:00am the day before the event.
• 8:30am – 9:00am – Check In for racers with last names A – M at Ed & Mully's (3905 Big Mountain Rd)
• 9:00am – 9:30am – Check in for racers with last names N – Z at Ed & Mully's (3905 Big Mountain Rd)
• 9:30am – Competitors Meeting at Race Check In / Ed & Mully's (3905 Big Mountain Rd)
• 10:30am – Race Start
• 4:15pm – Awards at the Events Office (3915 Big Mounain Rd). Bottom of Ed's Run.

REGISTRATION & FEES

Registration Fees – Whiteout T-Shirt included with any registration to the first 150 racers.

• Black (Long) Course - $100
• Blue (Medium) Course - $75
• Green (Short) - $50
• Ascent only - $30

All racers on the Black Course and all racers ages 18 and younger on the Blue Course MUST have a USSMA License as part of this sanctioned event. There are annual and single event licenses available. Single Event Licenses are about $15, and can be purchased .

TIMING
Competitive Timing is timing this year's Whitefish Whiteout, which will include chip timing, immediate results, display boards, video links, etc.

AWARDS and PRIZES
Awards will take place at the Events Office (3915 Big Mountain Rd).

Single Ascent, Green & Blue Course Divisions :

• Win great prizes from our sponsors.

Black Course Open Mens and Womens Division prizes:

• 1st Place - $600
• 2nd Place - $400
• 3rd Place - $200

1st Ascent Cash Prizes: (1st to the top of Benny Up / Stage 1)

• Black Course Men & Women - $100 each
• Blue Course Men & Women - $50 each
• Green Course Men & Women - $25 each

There is also a fantastic raffle full of great prizes from our sponsors! Must be present to win.

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RACE DIVISIONS

The Whiteout is open to AT skiers, telemark skiers and split board snowboarders. Choose from the Single Ascent, Short (Green), Medium (Blue), or Long (Black) Course. There is a maximum time for all competitors in all classes of four hours to complete the course.

RACE DIVISIONS

• SINGLE ASCENT – MEN
• SINGLE ASCENT – WOMEN
• GREEN COURSE – MEN
• GREEN COURSE – WOMEN
• BLUE COURSE – MEN
• BLUE COURSE – WOMEN
• BLACK COURSE – OPEN MEN
• BLACK COURSE – OPEN WOMEN

If there are 10 or more Telemark, Splitboard or Masters Racers (45 and over) in any Division listed above, we will create a new division and provide awards accordingly. If not, we will lump you into the divisions above will all other racers.

There will also be USSMA Points given to the following divisions, based on order of finish.

• Short / Rec Course - U14, U16, U18 and U20
• Long/Race Course - U23, Open, Masters and Super Masters

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS, ELEVATIONS AND DISTANCES:

2025 WHITEOUT COURSE

ALL COURSES
BENNY UP 1.4 Miles / +2052′ (2.25km / +625m)

• NOTE: NO COURSE EVER GOES TO THE TRUE SUMMIT / SUMMIT HOUSE AREA / TOP OF CHAIR ONE.
• Start located on the west side of the Chair 1 bottom terminal in the lift plaza.
• Race will start by class. Black course, then Blue 2 minutes after, followed by Green/Ascent Only 2 minutes after the Blue course.
• Ascend the Benny Up uphill route, as per the uphill policy. FINISH this climb at the very tip-top of the mountain at the SUMMIT TRANSITION.
• This is the FINISH for the SINGLE ASCENT COURSE.

GREEN COURSE, BLUE COURSE AND BLACK COURSES CONTINUE
DOWN HASKILL SLIDE 0.8 Miles / -1370′

• From the transition at the Summit area, descend INSPRIATION to ELEPHANTS GRAVEYARD, across NO NAME to the traverse into HASKILL SLIDE. This access to HASKILL SLIDE is slightly different than in year's past. Down the large open face of HASKILL SLIDE to a transition area near the bottom of HASKILL SLIDE.
  UP NORTH BOWL 1.5 Miles / 1345'
• Transition in lower HASKILL SLIDE, Skin up KINGS AND ACES/JOKERS JUNGLE AREA (This is skiers right of lower MOEMENTUM/SKIERS Right of OVER THE HILL GANG. From there the skin track opens up into MOEMENTUM, follow the East Side Route up to North Bowl Face. Boot pack in the North Bowl Rocks, just below the summit house. From the top of the bootpack, continue skinning up to the road just east of / below the Summit House. Skin up to the SUMMIT TRANSITION.

• This is the FINISH of the SHORT COURSE.
• Cutoff Time - All racers must have completed the green course in 3 hours (1:30pm). Blue and Black courses must have completed this stage in 2.5 hours (1pm).

BLUE AND BLACK COURSES CONTINUE
UP RADIO TOWERS .6 Miles / +90'

• RECOMMEND / CONSIDER KEEPING SKINS ON UNTIL THE TOP OF RADIO TOWERS. From the SUMMIT TRANSITION, skate over towards the RADIO TOWERS on the SERVICE ROAD just west of the main summit. Skin up to RADIO TOWERS.
  DOWN RADIO TOWERS and to below PICTURE CHUTED.5 Miles / -893'
• TRANSITION at the Top of RADIO TOWERS, ski down from RADIO TOWERS across HELLFIRE to the apron of PICTURE CHUTES.
  UP PICTURE CHUTES and HELLFIRE 1.1 Miles / +813'
• TRANSITION in the apron of PICTURE CHUTES. Skin up to the bottom of the Bootpack, and Bootpack up one of the smaller chutes on skiers right of the PICTURE CHUTES. This will be marked like other uphill routes. From above the chute, transition to skins a safe distance above the chute to avoid congestion of other racers behind you. Skin up to Hellfire and back up to HELLFIRE and follow your route back up to the SUMMIT TRANSITION. Approach summit via SERVICE ROAD just west of Main Summit - NEVER go to the actual Summit.
• This is the FINISH of the BLUE COURSE.
• Cutoff Time - All racers must have completed the blue course in 3.5 hours (2:00pm). Black course racers must have completed this stage in 3.5 hours to continue (2:00pm).
  BLACK COURSE CONTINUES
  EAST RIM - DOWN WHITEYS 0.8 Miles / -925'
• Down FILL HILL to EAST RIM, Down WHITEY'S to the BOTTOM OF CHAIR 5.
• EAST RIM - UP CHICKEN CHUTE .25 Miles / +475' Skin over to and boot pack up CHICKEN CHUTE.
• EAST RIM - DOWN CHICKEN NUGGETS .11 Miles / -250' Skin across CHICKEN NUGGETS to the bottom of NBC. Boot pack up NBC.
  EAST RIM - UP NBC 1.0 Miles / +790'
• Boot pack up NBC to top. Skin up FILL HILL to the SUMMIT TRANSITION / FINISH LINE.
• This is the FINISH of the BLACK COURSE.
• Cutoff Time - All racers must have completed the course in 4 hours 15 minutes (2:45pm).

Results from historical Whitefish Whiteout's can be found at Competitivetiming.com (including times for each leg for every racer). Use this to help you determine which course to race.

COURSE MARKING

• Benny Up and the West Side Uphill Route (stages 1) marked with the standard 'uphill diamonds' used to designate our normal uphill routes throughout the winter (see uphill policy - http://skiwhitefish.com/uphill-policy/ )
• Uphill Stages are marked with Bamboo with a long strip of bright flagging. These will be placed throughout the climbs, as well as supplementing the existing uphill routes for stages 1 & 3.
• Downhill Stages are marked with Race Gates (i.e., red / blue panels on two bamboo posts).
• All stages may also be supplemented with additional 18" wire pin flags with bright orange flagging.
• Transition Areas are all marked with a yellow flag, bamboo with fluorescent flagging, a very tall Whitefish Banner as well as a course marshal staffing each location.
• There are a total of 20 marshals and timers, and over 300 markers throughout the course. Each racer still has some responsibility in terms of wayfinding and having a basic understanding of each stage.
• Each of these types of markings will be displayed during the competitors meeting at the start, and there will also be an open forum Q&A for course related questions prior to the start.

VOLUNTEERS
We need so many volunteers for this event. There are lots of great benefits too. If you or someone you know wants to help volunteer for the event, please click .

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

REGISTRATION

What do I do after I register?
Please double check your entry, make sure it is right. You will be emailed a confirmation/receipt.

I need to make a change to my registration!
Changing your category at registration is not an option. If the information provided is incorrect (you want to change divisions, for instance) you must re-register for the event with the correct information (name, date, age, gender, category, etc). This will require you to pay for a second entry while the refund is being processed. Please allow up to two weeks for refund of the incorrect entry to be processed. To request the refund, you must follow refund request steps listed above by the cutoff date for your event.

Is this the Olympics?
No it is not. We aim to provide quality and affordable competition in an effort for our skiers and riders to push and pursue their goals on the mountain. These competitions garner a wide spectrum of skill sets and will offer courses and awards to suit that spectrum. Also, they don't have skimo in the X Games. Maybe do a trick? :)

What are my responsibilities as a competitor?
Events are a group effort. It requires timeliness and accountability of not only the event staff, but of each competitor. There are many details each person is responsible for in order for us all to have a fun day on the snow. Making sure your information is accurate, you are on time and prepared for each event is required.

DAY OF EVENT

TRANSPORTATION, PARKING AND SHUTTLES
What are my transport options getting to the event and around the village?

The SNOW Bus will also operate between Whitefish and Whitefish Mountain Resort. A shuttle will operate in the upper village areas, and all parking lots will be open through the event. Please obey all parking signage and park as per normal.

S.N.O.W Bus Schedule

Parking Map

Where do I Check-In?
Mandatory check-in at Ed & Mully's in the Upper Village (3905 Big Mountain Rd) to confirm your spot, get your timing chip, snag some stickers, and be an awesome competitor.

Are helmets required?
Helmets are required to participate in any event.

Inspection
There is no official inspection for this event. All areas are open to the public (bootpacks close 2-3 days before). Uphill / skinning is only allowed on designated routes on designated times, as per normal operations.

Competitor Meeting
Each event has details and information necessary for each participant to have a fun day. There will be a mandatory competitor meeting for each event, and the time of each meeting will be posted in the event schedule. This will be right after check in at E&M's.

Personal Gear
Please do not leave any gear inside of Ed & Mully's after Check In. Events crew can bring a jacket to the finish line, but no large packs or other gear allowed. There is a kiosk in the lift plaza many racers store backpacks or other gear, there are hourly lockers at the Base Lodge, and of course there is your vehicle.

Where can I find results?
Results are available at the Awards Ceremony and HERE.
Typically, they are posted a day or two after the event.

Can I volunteer for this event?
If you are interested in volunteering for this or other events at Whitefish Mountain Resort, please register HERE. You get a lift ticket for your help, entered into the raffle and high fives galore!

TICKET INFORMATION

Do WMR Employees / families receive a discount?
Yes, 50% off entry fees to all events for employees and their families when that employee qualifies for spouse and dependent passes. You will be asked during the registration process if you work for WMR and for what department you work for.

Discount Codes
If you are a sponsor or have a code to enter, please enter it at the top of the page where you choose your ticket.

Are there Discounted Lift Tickets for Event Competitors?
Lift tickets are not required for this event.

Can I transfer my entry to my friend if I can’t make it to the event?
No. See refund information above. New registrations must be completed by the competitor / guardian. You can request a refund, and your friend should register independently.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
It is not required to print your ticket, but it can be helpful. If you intend on purchasing a discounted lift ticket, it is required.

REFUND POLICY
Things happen. We understand that sometimes people are unable to compete. Entry fees are 100% refundable when contacted 24 hours before the event.
To request a refund, follow the link in your confirmation email to “Go to My Tickets”, from there, follow the “Request a Refund” prompt; OR in your Eventbrite account the upper right-hand drop-down menu, select “Tickets”, then select the event, from there, follow the “Request a Refund” prompt.

Refund requests sent to other points of contact will not be honored.

Are there other events like this?

Skimo League January 15,22,29

A SPECIAL T HANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

3905 Big Mountain Rd, 3905 Big Mountain Road, Whitefish, United States