Diamond Peak ski resort in Lake Tahoe is bringing back its family-friendly Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival, scheduled for March 25-27.
Located in Incline Village in Nevada, Diamond Peak has a weekend of fun planned, including the unique SkiMo race, where competitors race up the mountain using whatever human-powered method they prefer – skins, snowshoes, running shoes, then ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or run back down to the finish line.
Named in honor of Luggi Foeger – the founder and original general manager of Diamond Peak ski resort when it opened in 1966 as Ski Incline – the Uphill/Downhill Festival celebrates mountain culture, human-powered sports and springtime in the Lake Tahoe region.
There are not many ski resorts that offer as scenic a backdrop for a SkiMo race as Diamond Peak, which features panoramic lake views from both courses.
THREE DIFFERENT RACE DISTANCES: Competitive SkiMo racers looking to challenge themselves are invited to take on the Elite Luggi course, consisting of two laps to the top of Diamond Peak for a total distance of 4.6 miles and 3,315 feet of elevation gain.
Racers looking for a less strenuous, but still challenging route, can tackle the Big Luggi course, consisting of one lap to the top of the mountain for 2.6 miles and 1,840 feet of elevation.
For a less-challenging, family-friendly route, the recreational Lil’ Luggi course goes up to mid-mountain and features 1 mile of distance and 450 feet of elevation.
The sport of SkiMo racing – aka Ski Mountaineering – has been growing at exponential rates as people discover the joy of human-powered uphill ascents in a resort setting.
OTHER FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES: Costumes are highly encouraged in all divisions, with prizes available to competitors who show up decked out in their best outfit.
In addition to the races, there will be on-snow backcountry/alpine-touring/SkiMo demo gear available to try for free at the resort Saturday, March 26 from 10 am to 3 pm, presented by Tahoe Mountain Sports.
On Sunday, the festival continues with a Winter Wildlife Snowshoe Hike, presented by the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science at 7:30 am.
All are welcome to meet at the Base Lodge deck for a 1-mile interpretive snowshoe hike and presentation in the resort’s base area about the local ecosystem.
REGISTRATION DETAILS: Early-bird registration for all Luggi Foeger races is available through March 5 with discounted prices ranging from $35 for the Elite Luggi, $25 for the Big Luggi and Beer Luggi races, and $10 for the Lil’ Luggi division.
Note that after this Sunday (March 5), prices go up, so register early.
Registration links can be found on the Diamond Peak website.
