Skiing
Snowmobiles Sling Skiers Downhill at 90 MPH
SUMMIT LAKE, Alaska — Levi LaVallee and Daron Rahlves rip through Alaska at Arctic Man Classic, the strangest race you've never heard of.
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Never heard of Arctic Man Classic? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Every April, thousands of snowmobile enthusiasts from around the world converge on Paxson, Alaska, for five days of camping, partying and riding. Think spring break, Burning Man and an adventure trail riding trip, wrapped into one experience in the Alaskan backcountry. The weeklong event is built around a ski and snowmobile team race that started with a drunken bet over 30 years ago.
Teamwork makes the dream work
© Anthony Sansotta / Red Bull Content Pool
The concept for the racing is pretty simple. A skier or snowboarder starts at the top of mountain number one, descends into a canyon where they grab a tow rope fixed to the back of their teammates' snowmobile. From there, they get pulled up mountain number two and race across a plateau, reaching speeds up to 90 mph. The skier then sling shots himself off the plateau and down the final descent to the finish line. Fastest time wins. See for yourself as teammates Levi Lavallee and Daron Rahlves explain in the video below.
While the racing is great, a majority of the people on site aren’t actually participating in the race, so it’s the action off the course that is the big draw. Hundreds of acres of riding area surround the makeshift campground, offering the opportunity to cash in on hours of riding right from your camper door. After the sun goes down, a massive tent at the center of the campground serves as the local watering hole. Complete with a bar and DJ, a decent-sized crowd gathers to shares stories from the day's rides and ensure a raging hangover to shake off the following day.
Daron Rahlves prepares to drop into the course
© Anthony Sansotta / Red Bull Content Pool
Practicing hook ups during training
© Anthony Sansotta / Red Bull Content Pool
A good hook up is crucial to Arctic Man success
© Anthony Sansotta / Red Bull Content Pool
Whether you love to ride, love to camp or are just looking for a different way to have a good time in early April, Arctic Man delivers on all of the above and then some.
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