It was a spectacular, bluebird, Colorado weekend and we took full advantage of it as a family. On Saturday I toed the line at the annual Inferno, a local race up and down Highlands Bowl. The Inferno was relatively small and casual this year – only about 50 people showed up – but you can never underestimate the local competitors in a race like this. Case in point, see the snowboarder in the blue blazer and plaid polyester pants in the photo below (Brad Yule). He didn’t look like he was taking the race very seriously at the start line but he stuck to me like glue as I set the pace on the bootpack climb up the Bowl (conditions were not ideal for skinning). We started skiing down the Bowl at pretty much the same time. I’ve gotten much faster on my short, skinny race skis this season, but I couldn’t quite keep up with him on the down. He won the race and I finished in second about a minute behind him. I think my time was about 26 minutes. I certainly felt a little tired from the Power of Four race last weekend, but I was happy to finish in second place overall.
The Inferno finish line at the Deep Temerity chairlift.
Ian and I at the top of the Bowl after the race.
My brothers Ben and Ted were in town this weekend and came up to cheer me on for the race.
Juniper had her own ski race on Saturday for her last day of ski school at Panda Peak – thanks for the photo Kir Newhard
Ian found new singletrack to ride in DeBeque (who knew!?) on Sunday. Looking forward to checking it out myself soon.
