2026 RACE DAY DETAILS

• Skimo, Duo, & Vertical: Mass-start, first-to-the-finish-line.
• Duo Division: Two-person relay, same skimo course.
• Vertical Division: Finish at the Summit, descend at your own pace. 
• Classic Division: Individual Time Trial (ITT) top-to-bottom ski race. Racers start at 90-second intervals. Racers must ascend the designated uphill route and arrive before their designated start time. 
• Timing: Split times are recorded at all major up/down transitions. Bibs must be clearly visible from the front when passing through transition zones.
• Cut-off Times: Racers will not be permitted to begin above treeline climbs after 2:00 PM at the floor of Tuckerman Ravine or the base of Hillman's Highway.

Withdrawal: Racers must notify a race official at a transition zone if they choose to withdraw. All racers (including DNFs) must check in at the finish line for accountability.

• Public Access: The course uses public trails. Racers must yield to the general public and follow the Skier’s Responsibility Code.
• Passing: In single-track sections, racers must yield to faster racers from behind as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Terrain Boundaries:
  • Below Treeline: Stay within "normal bounds" of designated trails.
  • Hermit Lake Shelter: Follow the designated course around the perimeter of the Hermit Lake Shelter Courtyard.
  • Above Treeline: Follow established and marked ski tracks or boot packs.
• Fixed Lines: Follow all directions from Mountain Guides. Maximum capacity on lines is determined by the safety staff.
• Technical Transitions: If the "Little Headwall" is closed, racers must dismount skis/snowboard and downclimb the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the Sherburne Ski Trail.

Ski Trails: racers must wear skis or a snowboard on any designated ski trail (i.e, Sherburne Ski Trail)

• Avalanche Safety: 3-antenna digital beacon (worn on body), metal-blade shovel, and 240cm+ probe.
• Technical: Ski boot-compatible crampons and a self-arrest tool (ice axe or whippet).
• Protection: helmet and an emergency whistle.
• Apparel: Waterproof/wind-blocking shell layer and a separate insulating "puffy" layer.

• Climbing Gear: Rated climbing harness, lanyard or sling, and one (1) locking carabiner.
• Ascent: Mechanical rope ascender  device: e.g. Tibloc, Ascender/Jumar, Prussick. This is in order of what was most effciently last year.or Prusik cord.
  • Note: IMCS provides harnesses/Prusik material at registration if needed.

• Littering: Any racer observed dropping trash (including gel tabs/wrappers) will be immediately disqualified.
• Environmental Protection: Avoid skiing on exposed vegetation or protected alpine zones.
• Support: External racer support (physical pacing or gear hand-offs) is prohibited.
• Emergency Response: If you encounter an injured racer, you are required to stop and assist until a race official is notified or arrives.

• The Race Director and Safety Staff reserve the right to force a competitor to withdraw for health, safety, or time-limit reasons.
• Racers failing a gear safety check at the fixed line must correct the deficiency and re-enter at the back of the queue.