- Helmet, certified for ski or climb, worn on your head at all times, both up & down, cognizant of our concussion safety policy & action plan, and no earphones playing or any other auditory distractions (except for your labored breathing).
- Ascent: Stay on marked route; click HERE for details. Skin up on skis (160cm min length men, 150cm women) w/ full metal edges, removable climbing skins, and either retention devices or a best-practices plan for preventing runaway skis. Prohibited: AT bindings w/o lateral release (eg Dynafit Expedition, Silvretta 300); tele bindings w/ lockable heel (yet no lateral release); SNS/NNN "bar" bindings; mountaineering, leather tele, or nordic boots; snowshoes.
- Descent: Stay on marked route; click HERE for details. On difficult terrain, be fair to racers passing you, ie no deliberate hindrance. On groomed terrain, stand up (ie no alpine racing elbows-in-front-of-knees, no arms-behind-back), stay w/in ski patrol enforced speed, and top contenders may not pass other top contenders.
- Right of Way: Public - not you - has right of way. Yield to public traffic and be aware of skiers around you, especially at transitions & traverses.
- Self-Supported Race, No Gear Caching/Ditching: Finish w/ all gear you started, eg cached food/water at transitions is clever yet = cheating! Ditto ditched gear for post-race retrieval, eg primary skins that are not sticking must continue to be carried even after switching to back-up skins.
- Skinning<>Skiing Transitions: Stop completely at transition zone before removing skins (eg from skis, clothing, pack) then leave zone only once skis either reaffixed or stowed (in pack or clothing). Poles must be flat on snow during entire transition!
- No outside assistance, eg no food or water, no help w/ skins, etc. Exceptions= can replace broken ski(s) or pole(s); can ask q's/advice of anyone; duty to assist other racers in emergency (but avy rescue gear not required).
- Bootpack: Lash skis securely to pack on back (i.e., no holding onto skis or pack w/ hands while moving). Exception= pack not required for shorter rec. course w/o bootpack if clothing can hold skins, food, water, etc. Prohibited (no exceptions)= mountaineering "sharps" eg ice axe, self-arrest ski pole grip, crampons (boot or ski).
- Except for bootpack and transition zones, no on-foot hiking, walking, booting, climbing, snowshoeing: all travel is on skis (or snowboard), both ascents & descents, ie if skis off, you're stationary at a transition area (or you crashed…).
- No cut-off time, but if you quit or switch from the full course to a shorter option, then inform patrol, racer, or director so we know you're ok. And if not ok, pls let us know (best wishes for a full & speedy recovery!), w/ particular attention to our concussion safety policy & action plan.
Oh, and remember to have FUN! (However defined...)
