Racing Mount Baker's Legendary Banked Slalom

The hubs and I both won lottery spots to race in this year's LBS! We had entered the lottery several years in a row and I kind of thought we were never going to be selected. Maybe we finally aged into smaller divisions? Maybe all the Olympians were in Russia? Maybe they took pity on us.  Whatever it was, we were stoked. We booked a VRBO with a hot tub and at the very least, it was a peaceful stay in Glacier, WA. The race itself was the opposite of peaceful.

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Folks waiting their turn to race. Eating paella. Keeping warm. It was cold.

Map of hidden course "treasures".

So far this year, the snow levels have been low in the Pacific Northwest. Traditionally, the LBS winds its way through a natural half-pipe but the low snow prompted planners to start the race a couple hundred yards up-hill from the half-pipe. That part of the course was lovely. The lower half was iced-over. Actually, it was lucky if ice even covered all the rocks and tree roots. 

Banks?  Not really. There were gates set up so you knew where to go but it was fairly arbitrary. I managed to post a time on the first day but DQ'd on the second day of qualifying. It was kind of a relief not racing in the finals and not having to throw myself down that course again. Usually, the racers get all technical over wax. This race was all about sharp edges as the board base didn't see much time on the course.

Hopefully we win lottery spots again. I want a chance to run the race when the course is fun. Many commented that, unlike previous years, this year's course wasn't fun. It's supposed to be fun because it isn't like winners are taking home new cars or stacks of cash. I have no illusions of winning this race but I do like to have fun. So, next time. (Pics taken with cell or point and shoot).

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