Vertfest 2012 is here – Prepare for a weekend covered in snow and slathered with awesomesauce!

For the sixth year in a row, Outdoor Research is bringing you the most incredible celebration of backcountry and sidecountry verticulture the world has ever seen: Vertfest is back with a vengeance in 2012, and is kicking off on Saturday, February 18 at Alpental, Wash.

On tap, the Monika Johnson Memorial Rando Rally race on Saturday, backcountry and Sidecountry clinics on Sunday, gobs of demos for both skiers and splitboarders on both days, and Seattle band Head Like A Kite performing for free at Saturday’s award ceremony.

So grab your sticks or your board and head up to Alpental to get in on the action and make some turns. We’ll see you there!

Buy your tickets!

Events:

Saturday

The Monika Johnson Memorial Rally - Race Divisions: Start training now for 2 laps from the bottom of Alpental to the top! This race is open to anyone willing to take the punishment. No need for a lycra if you aren't that serious, but this event is not for the light hearted!

The Monika Johnson Memorial Rally - Recreational Divisions: For the mere mortals among us...just one lap. Skiers will need solid skiing ability as the course does cover black diamond terrain, but this one is doable for anyone in decent physical condition. If fun is your thing but you're not that competitive, this race is for you.

The Monika Johnson Memorial Rally - 50+ Division: A nod to those who are still going strong after 50. Just one lap for you all...same as the rec division.

The Monika Johnson Memorial Rally - Splitboard Division: For you snowboarders. Just one lap on this one as well. If that's not enough, feel free to sign up for the Race category and compete with the skiers!

NOTE: Racers in all divisions must carry pack, shovel, beacon and probe. Racers must also have a season pass or purchase a lift ticket.

The Stanley Cup Fun Race: Starting at 11AM Stanley, a brand of PMI, will be hosting a Fun Race for the rest of us. Come demo great gear and join in a fun ‘race’ for prizes. Costumes encouraged! Entry is free and sign-ups at the Stanley booth.

After Party and Awards - we'll fire up the awards ceremony at about 3:30 followed by live tunes with Head Like a Kite. The beer will be flowing and, as past participants will tell you, there is no shortage of raffle prizes. Bring some money for beer, but there is no cover charge for this part of the festival.

Sunday Seminars and Clinics

Intro to Splitboarding Seminar – with Neil Provo and Chris Tretwold

All day seminar - 9:30 to 3:00 (#1)
Brought to you by Jones Snowboards and Outdoor Research

Description:

Come learn from the pros! Both Chris and Neil will show you how to make your sidecountry and backcountry experience more enjoyable with transition techniques, gear suggestions and much, much more.

This is an all day seminar so come prepared to spend the day out riding and shredding pow with Chris and Neil.

Participants must have a season pass or purchase a lift ticket.

Sidecountry Steeps clinics – with Kim Havell

AM clinic – 9 to 12 (#2)
PM clinic (women’s only) – 1 to 4 (#3)
Brought to you by Osprey Backpacks

Description:

Learn to ski the steeps with renowned skier Kim Havell. Kim’s travels have taken her to all 7 continents for steep descents on peaks such as Ama Dablam and Aconcagua.

Kim’s knowledge and skill as a guide and instructor will help you build skills for navigating steep terrain and boost the confidence you need to ski the steep lines here in the Cascades or beyond.

Participants must have a season pass or purchase a lift ticket.

Terrain Selection Clinic – with Rob Gibson and John Stimberis

Sunday, 9:00 - 12:00 (#4)
Brought to you by Alpental Pro Patrol

Description

Travel through avalanche terrain involves more than "spacing out" or limiting exposure to one person at a time. As backcountry travelers we must assess the terrain, snow pack and weather, search for clues to instability, and know the type and characteristics of the anticipated avalanche hazard.

Join professional guides and avalanche instructors for a tour of the Alpental Backcountry where they will discuss and demonstrate travel techniques and observations related to this complex terrain. You will also get a chance to participate in a mock companion rescue drill. Group size limited to 8. Participants must possess advanced skiing or snowboarding abilities and touring gear w/ climbing skins.

Participants must have a season pass or purchase a lift ticket.

Companion Rescue Clinic

Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 (#5)
Brought to you by Pro Guiding Service of North Bend

Description

This course will be held near the Alpental Lodge. The majority of the time will be spent in the outdoors, but there will be an indoor component in order to explain the principles better.

Ski equipment is welcome, but not needed for this course. Please be dressed for winter conditions in the Cascades. Do not forget gaitors if you are not using ski touring boots. Most likely, there will be work in unconsolidated snow conditions.

Key points that will be covered are:
• Comparison of beacons on the market
• The shovel, the beacon and the probe
• Multiple burials in digital mode
• The Three Circle Search and flagging functions
• Strategic probing and shoveling

Lighter, Faster--and, More Fun: Lightweight Backcountry Tips Seminar

Sunday, 9:30 - 3:00 (#6)
Brought to you by Scarpa Boots

Description

Backcountry skiing can be a lot of hard work--but it doesn't always have to be. If you're still up for more laps at the end of a tour, but don't think you've got the legs, then this is the clinic for you! From the esoteric to the everyday, we'll examine everything from gear to clothing systems, what to carry in your pack, and what to leave behind at the trailhead. Beginner to intermediate ski-tourers should bring their typical backcountry kits.

This is a ‘seminar class’ so folks should bring a lunch and prepare for skinning and extended periods outside.

Ski Photography Seminar with Grant Gunderson

Sunday, 9:30 - 3:00 (#7)
Brought to you by Outdoor Research

Description

Come join accomplished ski photographer Grant Gunderson for a day of fun in the backcountry behind the lens. Working with professional skiers Molly Baker and Zack Giffin, you’ll learn what it takes to take your backcountry ski photography skills to the next level. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned shutterbug, Grant, Molly and Zack will give you the insights you need to advance your action ski imagery.

Gear: You’ll need to supply your own camera gear, (camera, lenses, cases, etc.). This class will also require backcountry ski/snowboard gear (skins, beacon, shovel, probe, etc) as we will be away from lift accessed skiing all day. You will also need to bring a lunch as we will be in the backcountry for the duration of the class.

Participants must have a season pass or purchase a lift ticket.

Landscape Photography Seminar with Jason Hummel

Sunday, 9:30 - 3:00 (#8)
Brought to you by Outdoor Research

Description

As a skier, Jason Hummel cut his teeth in the North Cascades and the Olympic Mountains of Washington state. His love of skiing lead to a passion for documenting the amazing alpine environments he enjoyed skiing. On a backcountry tour, you’ll learn the nuances of capturing our amazing playgrounds and deepening your ‘alpine state of mind’.

Gear: You’ll need to supply your own camera gear, (camera, lenses, cases, etc). This class will also require backcountry ski/snowboard gear (skins, beacon, shovel, probe, etc) as we will be away from lift accessed skiing all day. You’ll also need to bring a lunch as we will be in the backcountry for the duration of the class.

Intermediate Techniques to Improve Efficiency for Backcountry Skiing

AM clinic – 9 to 12
PM clinic – 1 to 4
Brought to you by La Sportiva

Description

Want to be able to ski 10,000' in a day, or do multiple 6,000' days consecutively? The goal of this clinic is to provide you with the tools to be more efficient both while skinning uphill and when making the transition back to downhill mode - the 2 biggest time sucks in a day of touring.

Join IFMGA guides, and La Sportiva ski ambassadors, John and/or Olivia Race to learn how to shave time throughout the day and increase your vertical, and overall enjoyment, as a result. We will do two half day tours in the Alpental slack-country and focus on techniques including:

Using the terrain to set a comfortable/safe and efficient skin track • Recognizing and maintaining an ideal skin track angle
• Proper body position for uphill travel
• Efficient kick turns (uphill & downhill)
• Dressing for uphill travel
• Techniques for efficient transitions - both from uphill to downhill mode and vice versa
• Equipment Selection (skin width & maintenance , ski crampons, risers etc)