El Dorado Nordic Ski Patrol

This page: Verdana 3pt.

Race Information - For a challenging day of skiing or snowshoeing, fun, excitement, and majestic views in the Eldorado National Forest, join us for:

The Echo-to-Kirkwood Race and Tour is a 13-mile course across the crest of the Sierra Nevada from Highway 50 to Highway 88. The route involves gliding across meadows, climbing 1300 vertical feet in the second mile, moving through dense woods, and finishing with a fun descent to the Kirkwood Touring Center. Read more about the Trail>

The course is flagged and the tracks have been skied. Checkpoints and cookie stations staffed by the El Dorado Nordic Ski Patrol are set up along the trail for your safety. This is a long, high-altitude course for skiers and snowshoers with good endurance, and looking for a FUN and challenging day of skiing and snowshoeing through the scenic Sierra High Country.

Categories: There are 12 age categories for the event, 6 each for men and women. They are: 19 and younger, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 and older.

Awards: There will be overall awards for the top three men and women, both skiers and snowshoers. Also, there will be awards for the top three skiers in each age category.

Parking and Shuttle Bus: This is a point-to-point ski and snowshoe course with parking available at both ends: at Kirkwood Cross Country on Highway 88 and at Echo Summit Sno-Park on Highway 50. A pre-race shuttle bus from Kirkwood to Echo is available. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER AND RESERVE A BUS SEAT TO USE THE SHUTTLE. Others are responsible for their own shuttle. If you park at the Echo Summit Sno Park, a snow park permit is REQUIRED.

Equipment: THIS IS NOT A MACHINE GROOMED TRACK SKIING RACE! Skiers and snowshoers will be on a well-flagged packed track. Advanced skiers usually prefer skating skis. Intermediate skiers and those who choose to ski the race as a tour will prefer the extra stability of wider touring cross country skis. We recommend the use of climbing skins for skiers of all skill levels to complete the two climbs. Winners usually finish the race in less than 2 hours. Those skiing or snowshoeing the race as a tour should be prepared to ski 4-6 hours. This is a backcountry ski event. Please be prepared with proper clothing; for your safety, NO COTTON.

Incident Command System: The Echo-to-Kirkwood Race and Tour is managed using the Incident Command System (ICS.) The ICS is a universal management system using common positions and terms. It was developed to manage any incident, regardless of the type, size, goals, agencies involved, number of personnel, level of involvement, or urgency. It is adaptable to the particular mission at hand. The ICS is used for forest fires, earthquakes, floods, search and rescues, vehicle accidents, special events, and other planned and unplanned incidents. Click here to see the Echo-to-Kirkwood ICS Organization Chart.

Registration and Entry Fees:
$30   Pre-registration postmarked by March 8, 2003
$35   Late Registration March 9, 2003 to Race Day
$10   Bus Transportation to Start (deadline March 8, 2003)

ONLY PRE-REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS WITH BUS RESERVATIONS WILL BE ASSURED A SEAT ON THE BUS.

T-Shirt Sponsorship:
$25 per line to have your name on back of T-shirts (deadline January 25, 2003)

Race Sponsors: