Aspen, CO – The brand new Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race, one of the most challenging events ever to be held in Aspen, will test athletes endurance as they race in teams of two across all four area ski mountains. The course will cover 24 miles with more than 10,000 vertical feet of climbing.nThe race is set to start at 7:15 a.m. on Mar. 5 in Snowmass and will continue into the afternoon where athletes will finish at the base of Aspen Mountain.

“We’re very excited to kick off what we hope will become a multi-season, multi-sport endurance series,” says John Rigney, VP of Sales & Events, Aspen Skiing Company. “Feedback’s been great and we are looking forward to March.”

Teams will start in Snowmass Village and skin up to the top of High Alpine, then traverse to Hanging Valley Headwall ending at the top of the Elk Camp Lift. Then racers will traverse from Elk Camp to West Buttermilk. Once at West Buttermilk, racers will skin up to the top of Buttermilk and ski down to the bottom of Tiehack. From there athletes will cross the bridge by the Aspen Recreation Center and head to the Five Trees lift at Aspen Highlands. From there skiers will skin to the summit of the Highland Bowl and ski down to Castle Creek Road via the Congo Trail off of the Grand Reverse. Teams will then cross Castle Creek and head up Midnight Mine Road until they reach The Sundeck. In the final descent of the race, athletes will ski down Aspen Mountain, ending in gondola plaza.

There will also be a half race starting at 7:30 a.m. following the same course on Snowmass and Buttermilk, ending at the base of Tiehack.

There will be four categories of racers: Vets, Men, Women and Mixed teams. Event organizers have estimated teams will finish in anywhere from four or five hours to eight hours. Alpine touring (AT) gear, telemark gear or snowboard splitboard gear is required.

Registration is now open at www.aspensnowmass.com/poweroffour. Registration costs $170 per team if registered before Mar. 1.

This race is part of a larger endurance series which would include a mountain bike race currently scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011 that will also traverse each of the four mountains.

Volunteers are still needed for the event. Those interested in volunteering should contact Maria Hidalgo at mhildalgo(at)aspensnowmass.com.