What is it?

Yes, exactly. What is the Scarpa Craigieburner? Well it has taken many forms in it's 30 plus year existence but today it lives on in two simple categories.

The Open Craigieburner is a ski mountaineering race in the classic sense. Yeah but what's that? Well imagine a day out with friends skinning up one hill, down another, back up there, down over there, hiking that ridge and rolling back down to the trail head. Just imagine doing it quite fast without stopping (much). That's pretty much it. Will it hurt? Probably. However I like this little article Grant posted on his blog on the benefits of these events
http://www.pawprince.com/pawprince/writings/text_versions/fast_furious.htm

The Classic Craigieburner is a ski mountaineering race in a unique, kiwi, Craigieburn Range/Arthurs Pass style of way. Pretty much as per the above but you use the ubiquitous rope tow to do the work going up (mostly that is). Because we are slightly sadistic we will make you walk or skin a short distance. Nothing more than an average day at Craigieburn or Temple Basin might require.

I am toying with the idea of tequila at the finish line. I am angling for a shot for each competitor after an uphill finish. I did say it would hurt.

Entry Prices

Okay we've kept prices the same as last year. They are as follows

Lungs/Open C'Burner - $35 entry fee
Lifts/Classic C'Burner - $15 entry fee, plus a lift ticket at $45

Sounds pretty good to me.

Accommodation

The Craigieburner is really best appreciated by staying on the mountain. Stay in the Koroheke lodge and enjoy more than one beer on Saturday evening. I'll update accommodation contact details here in the next few days but if you want to get on things then just contact Craigieburn today.

A Little History

The Craigieburner is the oldest ski mountaineering race in New Zealand. It was first run in the 1970's and used to involve skiing from the bottom of tow 3 across to the ridge that drops into Allan's basin and across to Broken River.

It continues today as a slightly unique event. It is really an event for every skier. There is the "lungs"division in which skiers run up and down the hills using skins, alpine touring or telemark skis, lycra and big lungs. Or there is the "lifts" division in which the skiers make use of the benefit of diesel tractor engines. Either way both divisions involve a lot of skiing as fast as you can and a lot of fun.

Needless to say the beer hits you pretty quickly come Saturday evening.

Welcome

Hi and welcome to the Craigieburner ski mountaineering race for 2009. The event is down for Saturday 5th September. We are looking forward to a great event. Two critical things have happened. Firstly Scarpa and Marmot have come on board with some huge support. There will be two pairs to Scarpa ski boots to go. These will be awarded on a spot prize basis so you gotta be there to be a chance. Secondly we have snow. Coverage at CV is done to big bend already. Conditions are setting up nicely for the season.

Over coming weeks we will be posting more information on the event and on some of the goings on with Scarpa and Craigieburn. We hope to see you soon.