Beer, costumes, and bragging Rights: Utah’s quirkiest ski relay returns

EDEN, Utah — In a twist that perfectly captures Utah’s quirky ski culture, Powder Mountain’s Lightning Ridge Relay is returning March 8 with one critical rule: show up in costume, or pay the price — in seconds.

The second annual event, which combines uphill skinning, downhill racing, and what organizers describe as a “choose-your-own-adventure” return trip, comes with a peculiar set of regulations that would make Olympic officials blush. Teams facing the dreaded 69-second penalty for failing to don costumes can find redemption in an unexpected place: skinning uphill with an open Uinta beer earns a 69-second reduction in time.

Powder Mountain is offering a $600 cash prize to the winning team of the co-ed competition.

The relay course, set against the backdrop of the famous Lightning Ridge, challenges teams of three skiers or splitboarders to the following route: skinning up The Ridge, racing through gates in Weber Bowl, and finishing with either a skate, skin, or foot race up Slow Poke back to the starting line.

While the event maintains serious athletic undertones — scaled skis are strictly forbidden, and missing a gate results in a 69-second penalty — the atmosphere promises to be anything but orthodox. Sponsors including Anon, Skullcandy, and K2 have lined up to provide prizes for second and third-place finishers.

Registration, capped at 34 teams and priced at $60 per trio, closes at 9:30 a.m. on race day. The main event kicks off at 10:30 a.m. for skiers, with splitboarders following five minutes later.

Participants must navigate a detailed rulebook including the requirement to “finish with all the gear you started with” and strict regulations against baton-throwing and physical contact with other competitors.

Registration is available online, with same-day registration possible if spots remain. Teams require a designated captain and all participants must check in at the Powder Keg between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. on race day. Discounted lift tickets are available for participants.

The podium ceremony, scheduled for 1:00 p.m., promises to be either a celebration of athletic achievement or a costume party gone right — or perhaps both.

For more information, visit Powder Mountain’s website.