Anyone hoping to run the Vail Resorts Epic Race needs to act fast because registration closes this Sunday, November 17. Racers will ski and ride all 26 resorts linked to Vail's Epic season pass. The fastest 10 people to do so will ski free for life. Vail Resorts just released more info on race participants and some of the racers have some pretty crazy life stories. Alas, Curbed Ski can't run the race this year, but we did create a handy guide for those who can. And in case you want to lodge in the lap of luxury while in France, don't miss this ritzy Courchevel hotel. Be warned, however, that the ever elusive opening dates for Afton Alps and Mt. Brighton have created some problems for potential racers. Afton Alps hopes to open on December 7 and Mt. Brighton is posting a tentative opening date of December 14. With Brides-les-Bains in Les 3 Vallées, France not opening until December 20, how will the race pan out?
No word yet on the total number of racers who have registered for the Epic Race, but here's some of the people hoping to ski free for life.
1. Father-son teams from Park City, UT and Louisville, CO, who want to spend serious bonding time over their shared passion.
2. A man from Denver who has run for President of the United States, holds multiple Guinness World records and has been SCUBA diving with sharks.
3. A family from Eagle, CO, whose daughter's middle name is "Vail."
4. A student at Colorado State University who is currently studying abroad in France.
5. An Odessa, FL couple of 32 years that is skipping Thanksgiving, which they had planned to host at their own house, to participate in the race.
6. An airline pilot from Atlanta, GA who, at 47, is out to prove that older guys have still got it by doing a board slide in the terrain park of every mountain.
7. A family from St. Paul, Minnesota that is new to the Epic Pass family, courtesy of Afton Alps, and excited to explore every Epic resort.
8. A couple from Lake Tahoe who got engaged at Heavenly and will use the race as the honeymoon they never took.
9. A woman from New Jersey whose second date with Mr. Right will be the Epic Race.
· Epic Race [Curbed Ski Archives]
· Epic Race [Vail Resorts]