New England Rando Race Series end of season review.

April 02, 2018 2 min read

Funny looking back now on my Feb 19 comment about our desperate ski conditions: in the following days, the weather became even worse! Hagan Race Skis at the Bromley NE Rando Race Series skimo race

When I was out flagging the course in 60F+ temps I felt overdressed in my race suit as the lift-served racers were wearing shorts. Some of the alpine racers were even going topless (with the girls in sports bras).

Fortunately I still managed to pull off a race at our back-up venue of Berkshire East.

Even though temps became a bit more normal by race day on Feb 24, we were still skinning up through slush in many places, and we even skied through fairly deep standing water to reach the ski>skin transition at the resort base.

For Team Hagan results, Jerimy took the win with Alex in third. I took 4th followed by Misha in 5th. Some other guy I didn't know (Anthony Colby) was also on Hagan, and although an eventual DNF, that meant during the first ascent all but one of the six top racers were on various generations of Hagan race skis!

The first Saturday in March was Jay Peak. For some unexplained reason all the descents were easy groomers even though almost all of the usual race descents were open. Hagan results were Jerimy 4th, Brian 5th, Sheldon 7th, Josh 10th, and me all the way back in 24th given the deep field and the lack of any real skiing, sigh.

Then everything changed, and we got 6' of snow in the first half of the month!

Jerimy, Josh, and Brian were all away at the Pierra Menta for Bromley. But Alex took 3rd, Misha 6th, and for my first outing on the Ultra 65 I blasted through the cut-up powder and tight moguls to take 7th for the Master's win ahead of my 45+ rival this season.

For the last race of the season, Jerimy didn't return in time from the Pierra Menta. Jan took 2nd (Ram Mikulas's old setup), Brian 3rd, Josh 5th, and me 9th (eventually beating out five other racers who had all out-paced me on the initial ascents, followed by lots of tough skiing where I could fortunately make up time).

Finally some normal spring weather now, but should be lots of good spring skiing left well into May.

Thanks again for all your support this season, and hope the season has been good for all of you out West!

http://nerandorace.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/NERandoRaceSeries/

Four Hagan skis at the Bromley NE Rando Race Series Race

Michael Hagen

Also in News

The equipment - clothing and gear - to use on hut trips.

February 13, 2020 3 min read

Preparation Trip Reports

It is important to have the correct gear for an enjoyable hut trip. But don't overpack!

Make sure to wear bright colors, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge!

This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes it may be a good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands or the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.

3 women skiing in powder

Award-winning Hagan Skis

February 13, 2020 2 min read

Hagan backcountry skis win a ton of awards. Which is especially impressive given we don't submit our skis to many reviews. Here's a sampling: BOOST 99 – Backline Magazine Test Winner (First Place), Backcountry Magazine Editors Choice award. BOOST 94 – Montagnes Magazine "Very Clear First Place" CORE 89 – World Ski Test "First Place"

Hagan Boost 99 Awards Graphic

Where can I go uphill skiing (at ski areas) in Colorado and what are the rules?

February 11, 2020 4 min read

Preparation Trip Reports

Where can I go uphill skiing in Colorado and what are the rules?

Most Colorado ski mountains allow it, with resort managers writing rules to regulate it. Some charge a modest fee, some don’t. Some allow it only before and after lift operating hours. Almost always, uphilling is restricted to designated routes. See the rules at each of the Colorado Ski Areas here.