Doing the Dew
Toolbox
By Cristina Kumka Herald Staff - Published: January 3, 2009
If you're sitting on the fence deciding which mountain to ski and ride this weekend, Steven Kelly of Surf the Earth Snowboards said there's a perfect reason to get off it — the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Killington Resort kicks off today.
"If they (potential visitors) are choosing what mountain to go to and if this makes them choose us, that's great, said Kelly, a salesman at the Route 4 shop and avid rider himself.
There's no telling the exact number of visitors planning on attending the annual free race down the mountain, but Killington Special Events Manager Matt Porter said the soda company's national tour stop at the mountain falls on one of the busiest winter weekends and there may be some unexpected additions.
"It's a great benefit for people who are up here for the holiday who love to race — it's for everybody (from beginners to experts)," Porter said from his Killington office Friday.
"But there are some people who travel from resort to resort to resort in order to participate — they're groupies for this event."
The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge Race Series starts off the New Year with a stop at Killington today and continues at Pico on Sunday. The next stop is Ski Sundown, in New Hartford, Conn. on Jan. 10.
The free race for skiers and riders of all abilities began Dec. 13 at Okemo Mountain Resort and the Challenge, hosted by the Mountain Dew Crew and corporate sponsors, plans to travel to 33 resorts in Vermont and other New England states, with the finals on March 28.
Not only do participants have a chance to get a gold, silver or bronze medal in different age and gender categories, but various prizes are awarded throughout the day.
Signups will be held today at Killington's Snowshed lodge from 8 to 11 a.m. at which time riders, with a required season pass or valid lift ticket, will receive a racing bib with their own individual number on it.
Races will be held on the easier green or more difficult blue trails set up for slalom from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with award ceremonies beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Awards are given to the top three skiers and riders in each category and the winners have a chance to go onto the Challenge's final race at the end of the season.
The same schedule is planned for Sunday at Pico in the Pico Lodge, with the race gates set up on the lower pike. race the gates is free (competitors must
At some of the larger resorts around the country on the national tour's itinerary, roughly 300 to 400 people attended the event when it comes to town, according to Porter.
Kelly said an event like the challenge, a free casual race down Killington and Pico, is good for local business.
His shop has been packed with customers with a special interest — getting their high-end skis and boards race-ready, and Kelly thinks this weekend's challenge may be the perfect practice run.
"When they have a lot of mountains to choose from," events like this add an incentive, he said.
"And it's got free entry, you gotta like that too."
For a complete schedule of event stops, visit www.snocountry.com/staticpages/index.php/MDVC-East.
Contact Cristina Kumka at cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com.
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