History of the Backcountry Vertical Challenge

Lake Tahoe possesses a dizzying amount of world-class ski terrain. An unrivaled location for backcountry riding, Tahoe is characterized by North America's deepest snow pack, relatively safe avalanche conditions, long spring corn season, and copious bluebird powder days. These conditions and terrain have spawned a tremendously motivated backcountry user group that cumulatively, put in an astounding amount of human powered vertical each winter.

The Backcountry Vertical Challenge was created in 2010 by Alpenglow Sports. The idea was conceived in the skin track in the early winter of 2010, with the belief that the event would be an exciting way to unite Tahoe backcountry enthusiasts. With a record setting winter, the inaugural event enjoyed immense success, and with over 800 inches of snow, it was hard not to have fun.

The Backcountry Vertical Challenge retains its theme of a fun, informal event for its second year. However, Alpenglow Sports is excited to add a new component for 2011, namely a community-wide fundraising initiative to benefit the Sierra Avalanche Center. The event is a true challenge, and can only be realized if a large section of the backcountry community embraces the quest of accumulating 15 million vertical feet of uphill travel.