BRETTON WOODS, NH ??” The Bretton Woods Mountain Resort Randonnee Rally is a ski mountaineering competition that requires racers to follow a course that winds its way up, down, and across the mountain. This unique event is coming to New Hampshire??™s Bretton Woods Mountain Resort January 22, 2005. The first race of its kind in the Northeast United States, the rally is sure to draw top-level ski mountaineers throughout the Northeast.

Rooted in the world of ski mountaineering, a Randonnee Rally starts on foot, with the competitors running to clip into their skis. Racers climb to the first gate, where they remove their skins and ski down to the second gate. At that point, participants put their skins back on and climb back up to the third gate. This continues, traversing the entire resort, ending in a sprint back to the start/finish line.

The route is designed to test competitors’ alpine touring skills, endurance, and equipment. Equipment allowed for this event will include alpine touring skis, telemark skis, and split snowboards, and in keeping with backcountry mountaineering tradition, competitors will be required to carry avalanche equipment, including an avalanche beacon, backcountry shovel, probe, ski breaks or leashes, and helmet.

A popular event in Europe, Randonnee Races are experiencing increasing popularity in the Western Mountains of the United States, but this will be the first year this type of event will be available in the East. With all of the recent advancements and terrain expansions, Bretton Woods Mountain Resort has evolved into the perfect mountain for such an event. “Bretton Woods continues to grow. With that growth comes the ability to host new, exciting events that require a lot of space and vast terrain options,” says Guest Services Director Sean Doll. “The Randonnee Rally is a perfect example of such an event.” The proposed course for the Rally includes varying pitches and trail types to test the endurance of the competitors.

The backcountry outfitter Life-Link will be a key sponsor for the event, along with Mountain HardWear and ClifBar. Racers will climb and descend a total of 4,000 to 5,000 feet and the race will take approximately two hours, with races starting at 7:30am. Prizes will be awarded for each racing category and refreshments will be available to all participants following the race.

The registration fee of $69.00 will include a wine welcome reception and mandatory race orientation from 4:00-6:00pm on Friday, January 21st, as well as a racers??в„ў breakfast Saturday morning at 6:00am. Racers will also receive an all day lift ticket and Randonnee Rally t-shirt. To accommodate racers who will be traveling to Bretton Woods for this early morning event, a special rate will be available to registered rally participants. The Lodge at Bretton Woods will offer a $79.00 per night rate for a two-night stay or $99.00 per night for a one-night stay.

For registration and other information about Bretton Woods??в„ў Randonnee Rally, please call 603-278-3320 or visit brettonwoods.com.