Jack-N-Jill SkiMo Race
Jack-N-Jill SkiMo Race
Again this year the Jack N Jill is the final race in the Big Sky Skimo Cup Series, making it the
official Montana Skimo Championship Race! Additionally, we are hosting a Friday evening
Vertical race (timed uphill only) at 4:30pm for those interested. Saturday will follow the same
format as in the past with the individual races (Rec and Pro) starting at 9:00am, and the No-
Name Scramble at 1:30pm. Awards ceremonies on Saturday 3:30-ish for the JnJ and the Big
Sky Cup. Remember, the ski area is operating during the race so we need to be respectful of everyone
out there.
Schedule:
Friday
3:00-4:20pm - Day of sign up, race bag/bib pickup
4:25pm – Drop bags need to be at the bottom of the lift
4:25pm – Quick race chat about uphill course and downhill return procedures
4:30pm Start – Vertical Race Start (~1000’ vert)
Saturday
7:30-8:45am - Registration/race bag/bib pickup – Main lodge
8:45 am – Short pre-race meeting near the start line and starting ceremony
9:00am – Start – Pro Course
9:05am – Start – Rec Course
11:30am – Cutoff for starting the 2 nd climb on the Pro Course
1:00pm – Cutoff for starting the 3 rd climb on the Pro Course
1:30pm – Start – No Name Scramble (day of registration at the ticket office)
3:30pm – Awards for JnJ and Big Sky Skimo Cup
Mandatory Gear:
Vertical:
Skis/Splitboard w/ touring bindings (no snowshoes or approach skis)
Poles
Climbing skins
Helmet
Short & Long Course:
Skis/Splitboard w/ touring bindings (no snowshoes or approach skis)
Skimo minimum ski length 150cm-women, 160cm-men.
Poles
Climbing skins
Helmet
Gloves
Backpack (with ski/board carrying attachment) – No Shouldering Skis!!!
Beacon – must be 457kHz
Shovel – must be 2 sectional shovel
Probe – must be a collapsible probe (no probe poles)
No-Name Scramble Course
Skis/Splitboard w/ touring bindings/Snowshoes/Approach Skis
Poles
Climbing skins (if skis or splitboard)
Helmet
Courses & Marking:
As for the racecourse, it is back to the traditional Jack n Jill race course. Both courses will
include skinning, boot packing, and skiing. Course conditions should be soft snow with
groomed and packed in places. Skin tracks and boot packs will be set the day
before and morning of the race. Following with traditional skimo rules, the following color
flagging will be used.
Green – Skinning with skins on your skis or board
Yellow – Boot packing with skis or board attached to your backpack
Red – Skiing with skis or boards and boots attached to bindings
Volunteers:
Maybe racing isn’t your thing but you want to come and check it out or your partner or friend is
into this sort of thing. We are still looking for a few volunteers on course. You will be able to
spend the day outdoors, cheer folks on, and you’ll get a free lift ticket so that you can shred the
slopes after the race. If this interests you, please reach out.
Lodging and Food:
Lodging - availability has been getting more challenging as this event grows. Please call
the Stage Stop Inn hotel (406) 466-5900 if you are still looking for a room. They had
available rooms the last I spoke with them. There are some AirBnB options, but I’m
guessing they have filled up, but might be worth a check.
Camping - in the parking lots is absolutely acceptable, and even encouraged. Keep in
mind we do not have plug-ins, and the main lodge power gets shut off around 10pm, and
back on at 5am. Bathrooms in the lodge are available while power is on. Outhouses
available otherwise. If you have a trailer or larger RV please take the time on Saturday
morning to re-park your rig, de-couple your trailer, so we can fit everyone. Last year our
parking lots filled up on Saturday, and folks were having to park down the road. We hope for a
similar turnout, so be kind and park respectfully. If you are unable to find a lodging
solution, please email us at charles@SkiTetonMT.com and we can try to help you find something.
Food - For those staying up here at the ski area and any Vert racers that are here, we
will be offering a reasonably priced dinner Friday night, as well as a few breakfast items before the race on
Saturday. The main restaurant in the lodge is open from 9:30-4pm. Saturday,
if folks are staying up here Saturday night, we will take care of you and have food available.
***Plan for it to take 1 hour to get from Choteau, MT up to the ski area in the morning.***
Included in this year’s race:
Lift ticket for the remainder of the day
Long sleeve JnJ t-shirt