For the snowboarders involved with the Legendary Banked Slalom, the race is one part competition, one part reunion and one part snowboarding history.
The three-day race - now in its 27th year at the Mt. Baker Ski Area - had its opening day Friday, Feb. 10.
Though the weather was drizzly, the snowboarders were all smiles as they caught up with their competition at the top of the steep, curving course. Professionals in their 20s, kids who aren't yet teens and mothers in their 50s compete in different categories on the same course. That accessible, easygoing spirit is one of the singular assets of the race.
"It's a great battle of snowboarding ability, and at the same time the community surrounding the event is equally as appealing," said Glacier snowboarder Lucas DeBari, who's been competing for about 18 years. "It's part of my life as much as this mountain is. I've been doing it as long as I can remember. It's one of the best community-driven events that snowboarding has, so it's good to be a part of it."
The race draws snowboarders from all over the world, with more than 300 competitors signed up for the race - and the bragging rights that come along with first place.
"Mount Baker is kind of the Mecca of snowboarding," said Eric Vlosky, a member of the University of Colorado snowboarding team who was on the mountain while some of his teammates raced. "This is where the heart and soul of snowboarding tends to live. It's just kind of like the snowboarding contest for real snowboarders."
The event is just as fun from the sidelines, if not a little vigorous. One of the better spots to watch the race is from the sidelines several gates below the start, so spectators can watch the beginning of the run and get a good view of part of the course below.
If you don't have a snowboard or skis, you have to hike or snowshoe to get there. And then you have to rush to the finish line to see the conclusion of a run.
"It's exciting, but it's challenging to get involved because you can only see a small portion of it," said Jayde Quilty, a Whistler, B.C., resident who was on the mountain to watch her boyfriend in the race. "It can be a spectator sport. You just have to work for it."
But it's worth the work to see her boyfriend compete in such a well-known and well-regarded event.
"I think it's the history of it," she said. "These boys grew up knowing that Baker was one of the first mountains that accepted snowboarders. The race itself, it's a classic."
IF YOU GO
The Legendary Banked Slalom continues Saturday, Feb. 11, with finals on Sunday at the Mt. Baker Ski Area. Races start at 9:15 a.m. on both days.
The race course starts near the unloading terminal of Chair 5, which can't be seen from the lodge. Spectators can watch from the sidelines. A snowshoe route to the course is available on the event's website, lbs.mtbaker.us, though snowshoe rentals aren't available at the ski area.
