Climb to the Castle - Rollerski Race

Welcome to the 2024 Climb to the Castle, the historic 5-mile hill climb up the Whiteface Mountain Toll Road.  Join us on Sunday, August 11th for the 17th edition of this iconic climb!  Race to the castle top, soaking in beautiful views of the Adirondacks with tough competition attempting to take a run at prize money offered by the Saranac Lake Marina and “Friends of NYSEF!”  There will be a short and long course option for this years event.

Registration: There will be NO Day of Registration.  All registration must be completed on SkiReg by Saturday, August 10th at 5:00 pm OR in person between 4-6pm at High Peaks Cyclery on the same date, Saturday August 10th.

Race entry includes a continental brunch post-race generously provided by the NYSEF Nordic Youth Ski Team. Cash or Venmo donations encouraged to support these program athletes.

Bib pickup: We will have an early bib pick up on Saturday evening from 4-6 pm at the High Peaks Cyclery. High Peaks is located at 2733 Main St. in Lake Placid.

Day of race bib pick-up will be under the NYSEF tent outside the Toll building. Bib Pick up will begin at 7 am and run up to 7:50am.

START Long Course: This year’s start will be staged on the uphill side of the toll booth.  We will do our best to seed everyone by USSS points if they have them.  If you have a U.S. Ski & Snowboard License or NENSA license please provide it while registering to better assist your seeding. Please note that there is a NENSA and non-NENSA registration option.  The top ranked (15 male and 15 female athletes) skiers will have access to NENSA’s matched fleet of Swenor Skate Long skis with #2 wheels.  There will be one water / aid station mid-course. 

START Short Course: Short Course competitors have two options for a warmup.  Competitors can rollerski to the start (roughly 2 miles), or can be shuttled to the start in the van departing from the tollroad gate at 7:40am.  Once at the start line of the short course, all athletes must RUN for their warmup.  Absolutely no backward skiing on course will be allowed.

Equipment Guidelines: Please note that a properly fitting helmet is required for all participants at all times on skis. It is highly recommended that a top layer of clothing is worn underneath the competition bib for safety in the event of a fall while on rollerskis. Long course participants will not have access to Swenor matched skis for warm-up, and therefore must plan on warming up on foot or their own equipment.

See NENSA's Rollerski Policies and Procedures for more information on staying safe on rollerskis!

ON COURSE: All race traffic must remain in ascending lane on course. Please note that the descending lane on the tollroad will remain open throughout the course of the event.

Finish and Awards: The finish will be at the top of the Whiteface access road just before reaching the “Castle.”  Weather permitting, awards will be held at the summit immediately following the event.  Open, Junior and Masters podiums from the long course along with additional prizes for the short and classic options will be awarded.  Cash prizes from Saranac Lake Marina and team sponsors, as well as prizes from High Peaks Cyclery and Paul Smith's College.  

NYSEF will help to facilitate transportation for competitors back down the mountain, but we encourage teams to transport their own athletes to the bottom.  We will allow team vehicles and spectator cars up the toll road between 7:40am - 7:50am.  The gate will close at 7:50am, providing long course athletes the opportunity to stage the start line.  All cars driving to the finish MUST drive all the way to the top of the mountain.  Parking along the race route will not be allowed. 

Athletes will be seeded by U.S. Ski and Snowboard distance points as provided.  A seed lists will be posted Saturday.