Aspen Town Race Series sets schedule

ASPEN, Colorado — Feel the need for speed? The Aspen Town Race Series kicks off another season of ski and snowboard racing for competitors of all abilities on Jan. 5 and 6.

Tache Racing will host a free race clinic on Saturday, Dec. 29 at Aspen Highlands for those who want to brush up on their skills — or simply find out if they have any — before hitting the course for the first event of the season, a giant slalom on the Thunderbowl course at Highlands. Register for the clinic from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Crust restaurant at the base of Highlands.

The season will again feature Tache Racing’s Thursday Afternoon Club, featuring coaching and training in whatever discipline is the focus of the upcoming weekend’s competition.

The season will bring three slalom events and three giant slalom events to Thunderbowl at Highlands in January, February and March. In addition, super G and downhill events will take place in February on the Racer’s Edge course at Buttermilk.

The advanced division races take place on Saturdays, starting at 11 a.m. Recreational racers take to the course on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Register at Crust on race day — from 8 to 9:30 a.m. for the advanced division and 8:30 to 10 a.m. for the recreational division.

New this season is a family class within the recreational division, challenging parents and their children to charge through the gates.

Entry fees are $25 per race or, for the whole season, $125 per individual and $600 per team of six. Racers of all ages are welcome.

Post-race parties after events at Highlands convene at Zane’s Tavern in downtown Aspen from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The fun includes video of that day’s racing, results and prize raffles. Bumps at the base of Buttermilk will be the scene of the post-race festivities after the speed events on Racer’s Edge.

The Aspen Times is again the title sponsor for the series; Atomic Ski Co. and Carrera will provide prizes, including skis, boots, poles, glasses, goggles, sunglasses and accessories. Other local businesses will also provide raffle booty. Anheuser-Busch will provide post-race libations at Zane’s Tavern, courtesy of locally owned Orrison Distributing.

For more information, call 544-3005. For race updates during the season, call 544-3029.

The race schedule Jan. 5-6 — giant slalom Jan. 12-13 — slalom Jan. 26-27 — giant slalom Feb. 2-3 — slalom Feb. 13-14 — Tache Racing Speed Camp Feb. 15-16 — Rocky Mountain Masters super G and downhill Feb. 22-24 — John Meyer Memorial super G/Town Downhill March 15-16 — giant slalom March 22-23 — slalom