New England skiing and snowboarding families can look forward to a free racing option this winter, as the Vertical Challenge Ski and Snowboard Tour announced its 2018-19 schedule.

The Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. All entrants need to do is purchase a lift ticket from the host mountain and complete a registration form, which can be done in advance at ski-vc.com. The top three finishers in each category qualify for the finals, which Jay Peak Resort will host Saturday, April 6, 2019.

“We’re bringing events to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, and Pennsylvania this season,” said VC founder Frank Tansey of the circuit’s 17 current stops. “We’re excited to visit our friends at some of the Northeast’s top resorts.”

In addition to the racing, each event has a festival element, featuring snowy activities for all ages and prizes given away throughout an enjoyable day at the mountain. To complement the fun and fitness, the tour aims to connect with its participants at a deeper level.

“Our senior crew members mentor our new recruits, and they all look to act as mentors to the young racers.” said Tansey. “We adopt them, encourage them, follow up with them, and also provide them with opportunities to help out deserving charities.”

The tour will begin Friday, December 28, 2018 at Big Boulder Resort in Pennsylvania. Other highlights include the annual Cynthia’s Challenge ski-a-thon and fundraiser March 15-16 at King Pine in New Hampshire, and the finals at Vermont’s Jay Peak Resort.

For more information about the Vertical Challenge, families can visit the tour’s official website at ski-vc.com.

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Full VC Schedule