The Vertical Challenge (VC) Ski and Snowboard Tour announced its 2022 schedule, welcoming a return to a full slate of events for the upcoming season.
“We’re pleased to visit 17 of our favorite resorts across seven states,” said Vertical Challenge owner Heather Clifford. “The protocols we put in place last year helped set us up to hold a complete set of races in 2022.”
The VC also announced its national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by The Center for Women and Enterprise, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
Longtime VC contractor-turned-partner Clifford became 100 percent owner of the tour in 2021. She takes over for VC founder Frank Tansey, who remains involved as a consultant.
“We’re excited to get this certification,” Clifford said. “We think it reinforces one of our core values of bringing the fun of winter sports to everyone, no matter their gender, experience, ethnicity, or physical limitations.”
The Vertical Challenge Presented by Chevrolet is a series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. The tour offers adaptive categories and looks to engage its participants in raising funds for the state chapters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the areas it visits.
The VC stages one-day events at resorts throughout greater New England. The season begins Saturday, January 22, at Mount Southington. It marks the VC’s first visit to Connecticut since 2019.
The March 6 date at Camelback will also mark the tour’s return to Pennsylvania for the first time since 2019.
The VC will visit Snow Ridge, New York, and McIntyre Ski Area, New Hampshire, for the first time in its 30-year history.
VC stalwarts like Jiminy Peak, Cranmore, Pats Peak, Catamount and Nashoba Valley return to the schedule.
The Vertical Challenge does not charge racers, with costs paid by tour sponsors, including Stonyfield, Dermatone, ALOHA, Northeast Delta Dental, Thule, Xfinity, and presenting sponsor Chevrolet.
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 VC will work with NASTAR for racer registration and results. The top three finishers in each category qualify for the finals, which will take place Saturday, April 9, at Jay Peak Resort.
In addition to the racing, each event includes a festival element, featuring snowy activities for all ages and prizes given away throughout an enjoyable day at the mountain. Awards ceremonies, which organizers executed virtually in 2021, will return live in an outdoor setting.
More information about the Vertical Challenge is available at the tour’s official website at ski-vc.com. Here is the 2022 Vertical Challenge Schedule:
- Saturday, January 22 – Mount Southington, Connecticut
- Sunday, January 23 – Jiminy Peak, Massachusetts
- Saturday, January 29 – Lost Valley, Maine
- Sunday, January 30 – Black Mountain, Maine –
- Saturday, February 5 – Cranmore, New Hampshire
- Sunday, February 6 – Black Mountain, New Hampshire
- Saturday, February 12 – McIntyre Ski Area, New Hampshire
- Sunday, February 13 – Pats Peak, New Hampshire
- Saturday, February 26 – Nashoba Valley, Massachusetts
- Sunday, February 27 – Ski Butternut, Massachusetts
- Saturday, March 5 – Snow Ridge, New York
- Sunday, March 6 – Camelback, Pennsylvania
- Saturday, March 12 – Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont
- Sunday March 13 – Suicide Six, Vermont
- Saturday, March 19 – Berkshire East, Massachusetts
- Sunday, March 20 – Catamount, Massachusetts
Finals
- Saturday, April 9 – Jay Peak, Vermont
For more information, visit wbenc.org
