August 1-3 (originally June 6-7) | SolVista Basin Ski Resort
XC, DS, DH, SD
- National MTB Calendar (Gravity)
- Same weekend as Colorado Crankworks! Twice the DS, DH, and XC!
- Colorado State Championships (DH,DS,XC,SD and SS)
- State Champions jerseys for all category winners
REGISTER ONLINE

NEED TO KNOW:

MSC #6, The Sol Survivor is proudly presented by Granby Ranch (cheggemout HERE), SolVista Ski Basin and the SolVista Bike Park. There are few resorts in North America that have displayed the commitment to mountain biking that these folks have. What they've created is truly something special. Both we and they look forward to an amazing event. See you monkeys there.

DO I NEED TO BE A COLORADO RESIDENT TO COMPETE?

Nope. Negative. All riders from all 4 corners of the world are welcome to compete for the prestigious title of Colarado State MTB Champion in the disciplines of DS, XC, DH and SD. We will also be offering an Intergalactic Pump Track Championship and a Moustache Cup which will be awarded for creepiest facial hair.

SCHEDULE: (please take note of registration/packet pickup deadlines - don't be late!)

A WORD ABOUT REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICKUP DEADLINES:

I think that it's fair to say that we've all enjoyed having great timing this year. The simple truth is that getting the timers good data about race entries and providing it in a timely fashion has a lot to do with this. We make every effort to hand off a race file to CJ Timing with 60 minutes to spare prior to a race's scheduled start. Now some of you out there are recidivists - that means you constantly show up late and ask us to "please, please pretty please just let me in!" Some of you are of the "I don't see what the big deal is, just get me in the friggin race, you, you...you registration drone!" By this point of the year neither of these responses are appropriate (and in the case of the last one, I sincerely hope that the good ladies at reg DO send you to me with a little note pinned to your jersey asking me to enlighten you about the basic social contract all adults implicitly sign...I'd love to have a little chat with you...something along the lines of "stop being such a self-centered tool." Or words to that effect. Depends upon when you catch me.) So my point? Get there early. That means time your arrival to include a possible wait in registration lines. Being an hour early for your start doesn't mean getting in line an hour prior to your start. Help us keep great timing and results coming. TX, MM

PS - and a few cookies/M&M's/Sour Patch Kids strategically seeded among the registration staff will turn even the most jaded reg lady into your adoring fan. Not that any of you need a karmic turbo-boost. I'm just sayin'...

COURSE INFORMATION:

DH
We'll be using two tracks for this event, one for Sport and Beginner and another for Expert and Pro. While we've yet to reveal which will be which, be assured that each will be ability-appropriate. By using two courses we'll be able to double up everyone's practice time and insure better safety on each course by separating abilities. The good folks at SolVista have a few surpises ready for you, plus they've agreed to spin the chair beginning on Thursday for practice. Yup. Start 'yer engines.

Here's what Wentz has to say:
Beginner/Sport:
Beginner and Sport riders will be greeted by a course that has a little bit of everything in it. The start will be a short sprint that leads into Cheeze It, a rocky singletrack and then either a rock drop/roll option or a go around that is just a bit slower. These rocky sections will lead into flowy corners that have multiple inside and outside line options, so look a head and try for the lines that allow for the most exit speed. We added a couple jump options before Cheeze-It joins up to Lower Silky. Lower Silky will lead racers down a diabolical set of berms that lead to a final small step up and then finish area with the Pro/Expert course.

Pro/Expert:
We have used parts of what we see as the best of both of our dedicated downhill trails to challenge the Pro and Expert field. Starting off on Drifter, racers will have to keep it steady through the rocky, sandy upper section of the track before the double/triple option and then the rock garden in the top third of the course. After the steep rock garden, exit speed is critical, we added a little more dirt to the landing of the next jump, so carry speed through and a smooth transition awaits. Instead of going to the right to traverse the ski run, racers will duck into the trees to the left, where berms and new parts await. This will get faster and faster as the weekend goes on and the new trail is ridden more. The new tree section leads into a fast part in the woods that is similar to last year's G3 Drifter course, and it all dumps out at the Ski Jump. There will be some corners before it to control speed, and then once you are airborne, look right to see another new section of woods. Going full speed into the new section, riders will be met with wedges, some rough stuff and a step-down out of the woods. The fast corners after that lead into Cougar's famous 'Lip Skidder' jump (which Justing Leov mangled last year with his rear brake...) and then to the finish area with a double into a berm and then into the final whoop section and finishing berms.

XC
We'll be headed out the week after Snowmass to map and mark the XC course. You can expect a shortish loop (between 5-7 miles) with multiple trips through the base area for the elite categories. We're attempting to emulate the World Cup standard a bit more at the request of some of our top-tier riders and team managers. Big Matt Thompson has also created a pretty cool end-of-lap parade 'mini-loop'. When riders re-enter the base are for their finish they'll be directed to the mini-loop, the entirety of which is visible to spectators in the base. This is going to make awesome spectating as closely grouped riders have a long-drawn out arena in which everyone can watch them try to rip each other's legs off.

Need a MAP?

From Steve Wentz:
Winding through the mountains from 8200 to 9300 feet, the 8 mile XC course at the Sol Survivor will be one to remember. Starting on Nature's Way, the 1.5 mile main climb will send heartrates up in a hurry. This double track climb winds to the top with a fairly constant grade which then drops riders out onto Vista ridge, about a third of a mile from the top of the chairlift. Turning right onto Vista Ridge, there is about a mile more of double track which leads riders out to some of the best singletrack in the Fraser Valley. Just past Rabbit Run. This singletrack runs around the back of Winter Winter Park Highlands, then meanders back past Rabbit Run, crosses over Sweet Nancy and drops riders onto High Road. From the High Road, the last part of the lap will bring riders to the top of the Base Area, and wind down from there to the start of Nature's Way for another dose. (EDITOR'S NOTE: We may have to shorten Wentz's vision a bit to get it back in the 6-7 mile range. Stand by for more details. MM)

XC START TIMES, LAP COUNTS AND DISTANCES

DS
Want us to lay it out for you with no BS? Here it is: expect the best Dual Slalom track in North America. Matt, Mogo, Wentz and TJ will be working with the BFP crew the week prior to the event designing and building a course that's going to set the bar a bit higher. We're also going to run finals beginning in the late afternoon and extending to twilight. That's right, we're going to light that sucker, a la Snowmass 2006.

Wentz's take:
For the Sol Survivor this year, Bigfoot Production and Sol Vista Basin have come up with a unique concept only seen by some once before. Slalom under the lights. The course is being made the week prior to the race, so there is no course description now, but rest assured it will have all of these features- Fast corners- both bermed and flat Slower corners- both bermed and flat Jumps Line Choices We are planning on making a course that will suit any style of bike. For those of you with only a DH or freerie bike, we want you to be able to race the slalom and have fun and be competitive with any bike.

SD
Riders can expect a course that'll make evereyone grin from ear to ear. And with tons of DH practice available and a relatively free schedule on Saturday we've got tons of time to make it happen. That means that we can split larger fields in order to relieve congestion on course.

Need a MAP?

Wentz's Description:
The Super D course for the Sol Survivor will be a mix of singletrack and double track scattered throughout the course. This will emphasize bike handling skills as well as sprinting through the whole race. We will start at the top of the mountain and use the same start as last year's course, which winds from the lift around Vista Ridge and then to the right to join into trails. From there it will dip onto old and new sections of single and double track, some of it tight and some of it to allow for passing. Berms and corners coming into the finish area will allow riders to either pull up to the leaders, or extend their lead before the final test in the race. Once to the bottom, the course will wind uphill again for about a 50 foot elevation sprint up the service road to the bottom of the DH course, where riders will then go through the whoops and last berms and table top to the finish line. This will be in prime view of everyone in the base lodge, so the more tired you expect to be, the more fans you should have lined up to cheer you on in the final seconds.

SUPER D START TIMES

THE MOUSTACHE CUP

The most important part of the weekend, the Moustache Cup will be a super challenging event. Participants have been training for weeks now and are ready for the throwdown. Points will be awarded for Fullness, Style, Creativity and Creepyness. Good luck to all, and please shave for Sunday after it's all done. Just about everyone I know looks worse than ever. TX, SW.

BEER CRIT
Presented by Dale's Pale Ale. Bikes of all denominations welcome. Legal drinking age (and a propensity for anarchy) a must.

PUMP TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS
Uh huh. You read that correctly. You think you got game? Bring it, foo'.

LIFT TICKETS:

Will be $10/dat starting on Thursday. You'll need a lift tickt for race day also. If you're planning in participating in the SolVista G3 as well as state championships you may want to consider a season pass ($125).  

CAMPING:

There'll be camping adjacent to the base area. It'll be $10/car and permits are good for the entire weekend. Potable water, a wash station, port-o-crappers and trash facilities will be provided. There won't be RV hookups I'm afraid. If you need to park your big rig please you can find more info HERE. Permits will be available at registration.

LODGING:

Wanna stay somewhere with a few more amenities? The folks at SolVista have it all...and at awesome prices. Call the guys below and tell them that you found their number on our site - there are great deals available for the weekend.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, START YOUR MUSTACHES!

So basically the low-down is this: the fellas at SolVista are throwing down a right proper mustache growing contest, to be held at the Sol Survivor August 1-3. Not exactly sure how the judging is gonna work out, but I'm pretty sure it'll be a mix of staff judging and crowd participation. Gettum started, boys!

There will be a podium and prizes for the top 'staches in each of three categories: Men 17+, Junior Men 16 & Under, and Women. Registration, display, judging, and the whole sha-bang-a-bang will be held at the Dual Slalom Awards Ceremony at the Sol Survivor, Aug 1-3. Prizes you say? Well yeah! We're looking at handing out '09 season passes to the winners in each category, and a ton of other great stuff. You ain't gonna wanna miss it!

TECH/EXPO SPACE, VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES:

Download tech/expo info here: 2008 MSC TECH/EXPO GUIDE. If you're interested in volunteering of finding out about sponsorship opportunities, please give us a shout at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .