Skibike Snowbike NASTAR

by G. Kunkel

Two years ago, NASTAR citizen ski racing added a snowbike division.  So now skibikers can race and win medals just like skiers, snowboarders, telemarkers, and physically challenged racers.

The rules do not specify equipment so I think almost anything is fair game under the heading "snowbike".  Skibobs, peg skibikes, and three-ski bikes are all legal to race in this division.

Snowbikes are separated by gender and age in the snowbike division.  On the GS course, snowbikes get a (-50) handicap.  On the SL course the handicap is (-60).

The standard race course is 350 meters in length with 18-22 meters between gates.  The gates are offset 4-8 meters.  Depending upon the terrain, there are between 17-22 gates to go around.  Most courses take 23 seconds to run.  There is variability between resorts.

I did not get a class on Monday so I decided to get some free riding in.  While on the Prospector lift, I saw there were gates set on the Winter Park NASTAR course.  Upon further investigation, they were running races from 11am to 3pm.

It only costs employees $5 to race unlimited races while it's $10 for the general public.  After trying to remember my NASTAR race number, I handed over my $5 and filled out a daily paper entry form.

As I'd never raced my skibike before, I was unsure how to approach the gates.  The race crew was unsure how to run my race.  They decided in the end to let me run the course by myself in case I crashed.  They didn't want me to run into anybody on the other course.

For the first run, caution and strategy were the main objectives.  Starting gate strategy was not even considered.  Not hitting the gates or crashing were the goals.

The timer told me to go so I left the starting area and triggered the wand.  The first few gates were pretty easy as I had not built up any speed.  As the terrain steepened the gates came much quicker.

I soon realized that running the gates was almost the same as running them on a snowboard.  One had to turn above the gate and complete the turn at the gate.  Upon rounding the gate one had to immediately shoot for the turning point for the next gate.

Upon completion of the race course, I executed a nice hockey stop and waited for my time and what kind of medal I had won.  As I hadn't really been pushing things, I didn't expect much.

The announcer said congratulations announced my time and said I had won a gold medal.  That was unexpected.  If I pushed things on another run, I could win a platinum medal.  I never won one of those on a snowboard.

So I had to go again and again.   The next three runs were all platinum medal winning runs of the yellow course.

To mix things up I decided to try the green course.   That was a silver run.

Since that was not the direction I wished to move, my attentions moved on to the original goal of going to the terrain park and working on my skillz.   After some jumps and a run through the half pipe, I headed to the Competition Center Office to collect my medal.

My NASTAR Platinum medal

Normally medals are kept in the race shack.  They were out of platinums and silvers thus the trip to the office.

So, at the end of the day, I had a pleasant distraction for $5.  I also qualified for the NASTAR National Championships in Steamboat Springs in March.  Now if I only had the $199 for the entry fee.   Anyone want to sponsor me?  I'm happy to wear your colors/logos on the course and the winners podium when I collect medals.  And I do win medals at Steamboat.

My NASTAR Gold Medal from 2009 National Championships

© 2016 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google

How to carry your skibike to the ski base area

Carrying a skibike to the base area can be a trying experience.  I've put mine over my shoulder to transport it to the lifts.  I've also tried using a piece of rope.  Neither method is comfortable or pain free.

Nice shoulder bruise

When I've carried my Lenz Launch over my shoulder I've had two things happen.  One, my shoulder started experiencing pain with all that metal digging into it.  There is usually a nice deep purple bruise in my shoulder the next day.   I tried using a towel but then I didn't have a nice place to put it.

Using a piece of bare webbing works as well.  This method has its woes as well.  The webbing will dig into your shoulder and becomes painful as well.  Two years ago I got really lost in the Vail Village base area.  I had to stop alot to give my shoulder a break from the pain.

Carrying by the frame

This method only works for very short distances.  It's what I mainly use to transport my bike from the locker room to the meeting area for lessons.  Carrying a 28-30 pound skibike any further taxes your arms.  The metal frame gets really cold on those minus 30F days as well.

Best solutions to carrying a skibike - so far

Devin Lenz offers demos to potential buyers all the time.  He routinely has this issue with his clients carrying the bikes from the trailer.  Rather than make them suffer, he came up with a solution that he designed and asked me to make for him.

Combination padded carrying strap and leash

This skibike season, Devin is mainly having demos at ski areas owned by Vail Resorts.  Those include: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone in Colorado,  It is a long way from the parking lot to the base area for all of these.

Padded carrying strap leash combo for skibike

Vail Resorts also has a strict on-chairlift leash policy to prevent dropped skibikes.  They do check when one loads the lift.  It is easiest to clip the bike to the chairlift bar even when it can only be partially lowered or sits above ones head.

Devin designed a combo leash/padded carry strap that will clip onto a Vail chairlift when one uses the right size wire gate carabiner.  Your shoulder won't take a beating from the parking garage to the Lionshead base area either.

Once one is at the base area, the pad can be removed.  It is small enough that it can be stored in a pocket.  That is one feature Devin insisted on.

I'm now selling these combo leashes on my website EpicSkibike.com.  Yes, that's Devin modelling his design on his latest personal skibike.  They can be purchased on this page.

Devin Lenz with a padded carrying strap leash combo

by G. Kunkel © 2016 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google