Uphillers take to Aspen, Snowmass

ASPEN – Ladies and gentlemen, strap on your skins or slip on your footwear of choice – it’s time for uphill events.

Three uphill races and hikes will be held over the next nine days. First on the list is the Chris Bove Memorial Uphill Challenge on Saturday, March 5. The event, also known as the Buttermilk Uphill, will start at 7:30 a.m. at the base of Buttermilk. The fee is $35. Registration is open through Friday.

The event is a fundraiser for Challenge Aspen’s local scholarship program and the Children’s Hospital Immunodeficiency Program of Denver. Racers and hikers of all ages are welcome to participate using skis, snowshoes and other uphilling gear.

Information for pre-registration for the Chris Bove Memorial Uphill Challenge is at http://www.active.com. Type in the name of the event.

The next event will be the Mother of All Ascensions at Snowmass Ski Area on Tuesday, March 8. The event check-in and race-day registration will start at 5:45 a.m. at Base Camp Bar and Grill at Snowmass’ Base Village. The race will start at 7 a.m. sharp, at a new location at the base of Fanny Hill. The race will end at High Alpine Restaurant.

Participants are urged to display their Mardi Gras spirit by wearing costumes and beads on the annual Fat Tuesday ascent. Pre-registration is being held at several spots in the valley until Friday, March 4, at 6 p.m. Pre-registration sites are Base Camp Bar and Grill in Snowmass Village, Ute Mountaineer in Aspen, Bristlecone Mountain Sports in Basalt, Independence Run and Hike in Carbondale, and Summit Canyon Mountaineering in Glenwood Springs.

The fee is $25, or $35 on race day.

Completing the trio of uphill events is the famed America’s Uphill at Aspen Mountain on Saturday, March 12. The race starts at 7 a.m. It climbs 3,267 vertical feet from the base of Little Nell to the Sundeck Restaurant.

The fee is $35 for pre-registration and $45 on race day. Mountain Rescue Aspen will receive $1 from each registration. Pre-registration is at the Ute Mountaineer in Aspen until 4 p.m. Friday, March 11, or online at http://www.utemountaineer.com until 11 p.m. Thursday, March 10.