TELLURIDE, Colo. – (December 20, 2022) – The Telluride Foundation is excited to announce the third annual “Skidola,” on “PI Day,” Tuesday, March 14th at 5:30p.m. The Skidola is an uphill race, using the same Rundola course, starting from the base of the gondola in Telluride, finishing at the top of the ridge that parallels the gondola. Racers gain 1,810 feet of elevation anyway they can on snow — ski, snowshoe, or slog. The Skidola benefits the PI Avalanche Education Fund at the Mountain Club and is open to anyone who wants to take on the physical challenge. Early bird prices are available at https://www.runreg.com/skidola until January 15th.
“Due to the overwhelming success of the Rundola, Telluride’s Fourth of July Footrace and the trend in uphill snow races at ski resorts, hosting the Skidola, a winter uphill race, was the natural progression,” said Katie Singer, Telluride Foundation’s Events Director.“ Once again, we are partnering with the Mountain Club and are excited to move the Skidola to PI Day. The event will include a community celebration at Oak after the race while watching the memorial torch parade and fireworks.”
Registration is now open at https://www.runreg.com/skidola. All registered participants receive an entry gift, food from Oak after the event, and a chance to win great prizes for only $45. All racers must choose to wear skis with skins, snowshoes, or micro spikes. An awards ceremony will start at approximately 7:30p.m. at Oak Restaurant next to the gondola station in Telluride. The Skidola is organized and hosted by the Telluride Foundation, in partnership with the Telluride Mountain Club. The US Forest Service, Telluride Ski & Golf, and Mountain Village are supporters. The Skidola is currently looking for sponsors. Please contact Katie Singer at katie@telluridefoundation.org for details.
“The Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund is excited to partner with the Telluride Foundation for this year’s annual SkiDola race! The PI Fund is grateful for the Telluride Foundation’s partnership and support,” said Chris Dickson, PI Fund Director.
PI Avalanch Education Fund: The mission of the Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund (PI Fund) is to create opportunities for avalanche education and backcountry user awareness. The PI Fund has been set up in memory of Peter Inglis. Peter “PI” Inglis was one of the original founders of the Telluride Mountain Club in 1986, a Telluride Ski Patroller for over 20 years and a longtime San Miguel County Search and Rescue volunteer. Inglis also was a huge supporter of avalanche education in Telluride and organized forums and taught classes to help keep others safe and aware. PI was tragically killed on 4/1/15 when a cornice collapsed while ski guiding in Alaska’s St. Elias Range.
The PI Fund helps fund free avalanche education forums (Telluride Backcountry Chats), backcountry awareness events, scholarship assistance for individual avalanche education courses, avalanche education for kids in the community, Telluride’s backcountry radio program, and other avenues that positively contribute to and influence avalanche education and user awareness in the Telluride region.
The Telluride Foundation is committed to enriching the quality of life of the residents, workforce, and visitors of the Telluride region. It is a nonprofit, apolitical community foundation that makes grants and runs programs in arts, education, health and human services, community development, and social enterprises. The Foundation strives to achieve excellence for the community through its mission and core values of inclusion, self-reliance, and innovation. The Foundation’s work is funded through the generous support of hundreds of donors as well as grants from state and national foundations. Pease visit www.telluridefoundation.org.
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