Telluride Foundation: Registration Now Open for 4th Annual Skidola, Winter Uphill Challenge, 3/14!

27 Feb Telluride Foundation: Registration Now Open for 4th Annual Skidola, Winter Uphill Challenge, 3/14!

Telluride Foundation is putting out the word: registration is open for 4th annual Skidola, Telluride winter uphill challenge.

Race will be held on 3/14, “PI Day,” and benefits Telluride Mountain Club’s PI fund for avalanche education.

Registration is open at https://www.runreg.com/skidola. Early bird prices are available until March 10th.

Go here for more about the Telluride Foundation (back to 2009).

The Telluride Foundation is excited to announce the fourth annual “Skidola,” on “PI Day,” Thursday, March 14th at 5:00 p.m. The Skidola is an uphill race, starting from the base of the gondola in Telluride and finishing at the top of the ridge that parallels the gondola. Racers gain 1,810 feet of elevation any way they can on snow – on skis, snowshoes, or micro-spikes. The race is open to anyone who wants to take on the physical challenge.

All registered participants receive a custom 2024 Skidola buff, a voile ski strap, a gift from Tim’s Naturals, food from Oak after the event, and a chance to win great prizes for only $45. All racers must choose to wear skis with skins, snowshoes, or micro spikes. An award ceremony will be held at Oak Restaurant and will be followed by a memorial torch parade put on by ski patrol. This year’s prizes for the fastest racers will be provided by our lead sponsor, La Sportiva. There will also be great prizes for the best costume and, of course, middle place!

The Skidola benefits the PI Avalanche Education Fund, which helps fund free avalanche education forums (Telluride Backcountry Chats), backcountry awareness events, scholarship assistance for individual avalanche education courses, avalanche education for kids in the community, Telluride’s backcountry radio program, and other avenues that positively contribute to and influence avalanche education and user awareness in the Telluride region.

The mission of the Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund (PI Fund) is to create opportunities for avalanche education and backcountry user awareness. The PI Fund has been set up in memory of Peter Inglis. Peter “PI” Inglis was one of the founders of the Telluride Mountain Club in 1986, a Telluride Ski Patroller for over 20 years, and a longtime San Miguel County Search and Rescue volunteer. Inglis also was a huge supporter of avalanche education in Telluride and organized forums and taught classes to help keep others safe and aware. PI was tragically killed on 4/1/15 when a cornice collapsed while he was ski-guiding in Alaska’s St. Elias Range.

“The Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund is excited to partner with the Telluride Foundation for this year’s annual Skidola race! The PI Fund is grateful for the Telluride Foundation’s partnership and support,” said Chris Dickson, PI Fund Director.

The lead sponsor for Skidola 2024 is La Sportiva. Skidola is also sponsored by Home Loan Insurance, Alpine Bank, Jagged Edge Mountain Gear, Tellurando SkiMo Race, Strafe Outerwear, Telluride Properties, San Juan Outdoor Adventures, Two Skirts, Latitude Insurance, Community Banks of Colorado, Stronghouse Brew Pub & Mountain Trip. The US Forest Service, Telluride Ski & Golf, and Mountain Village are also supporters.

Telluride Foundation:

The Telluride Foundation is committed to enriching the quality of life of the residents, workforce, and visitors of the Telluride region. It is a nonprofit, apolitical community foundation that makes grants and runs programs in arts, education, health and human services, community development, and social enterprises. The Foundation strives to achieve excellence for the community through its mission and core values of inclusion, self-reliance, and innovation. The Foundation’s work is funded through the generous support of hundreds of donors as well as grants from state and national foundations.

Please visit www.telluridefoundation.org.