ABOUT SKI TO SEA
CONTINUE THE LEGACY
First run in 1973, the Ski to Sea is a multi-sport team relay from the Mt. Baker Ski Area to Bellingham Bay. The race is held annually on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in Whatcom County, Washington. A Ski to Sea team consists of three – eight racers competing in seven different sports: Cross Country Ski, Downhill Ski/Snowboard, Running, Road Bike, Canoe (2 paddlers), Cyclocross Bike, and Sea Kayak. The race course runs through the towns of Glacier, Maple Falls, Kendall, Everson, Lynden and Ferndale, finishing at Marine Park in the historic Fairhaven district of Bellingham. Together with the Historic Fairhaven Festival, Ski to Sea is the largest one-day event in Whatcom County and Bellingham, drawing racers, spectators and tourists from the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia and beyond.
The Ski to Sea Race is owned and operated by Whatcom Events, a volunteer-operated community 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Whatcom Events also hosts the Jr Ski to Sea Race in early May, the Tour de Whatcom bicycle ride in July, The Mt. Baker Hill Climb in September and Trails to Taps Relay in October. We rely almost exclusively on our incredible team of more than 600 volunteers to pull off these vibrant community events. We have three employees; a full-time executive director, a full-time race director and a part-time seasonal race director. Our current Board of Directors has nine members – Mike Trowbridge, Tracy Gorham, Jessa Louden, Maureen Stewart, John Buckley, Tiffany Edlin, Magnus Nystrom, Kayla Campbell and Edoh Amiran – and our Race Committee is made up of over 30 members of our community, all of which are uncompensated volunteers. Thanks to our volunteers and sponsors, we have been able to return over $209,385 to our community since we began in 2011, in the form of donations to the following local non-profits:
Habitat for Humanity
Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition
Lydia Place
Girl Scouts of Western Washington
American Red Cross
Bellingham Food Bank
Ferndale Food Bank
Foothills Food Bank
Lynden Project Hope Food Bank
Nooksack Valley Food Bank
Community Boating Center
Bellingham High School Clubs
Western Washington University Clubs
Whatcom County Search and Rescue
Whatcom County Fire Districts
Blaine High School District
Ferndale Band Boosters
Bellingham Blazers
Boy Scout Troops 4026 and 4028
Whatcom Community College Foundation
Explorations Academy
Bellingham Youth and Paddle Sports
Shifting Gears
Incite! Cycles
LEG INFORMATION
FAQs
While we recommend that new racers and captains read the entire website, we realize it is a lot of information so head to this page to get an idea of the flow of the race.
As the team captain, you’re responsible for managing your team. This includes inviting participants, organizing payments, coordinating transportation logistics, etc. While the Race Guide contains all the information you’ll need, be sure to check out our Team Captain Manual for a quick overview of key responsibilities and helpful tips for a successful race day.
Two main factors – estimated team time and equipment. Fastest teams in competitive generally finish in 6 – 7 hours while fastest recreational teams usually finish in 7 – 8 hours. You can look up past team times on our results page to get an idea of averages.
In regard to equipment; your boat often denotes what division you must register in. Check out details on the canoe and kayak legs of the race guide.
For bike legs, aero bars are NOT allowed in either leg of the recreational division. Additionally, time trial bikes, triathlon bikes and disc wheels are prohibited in all recreational divisions of the road bike leg.
If you have any of the above and you are in a recreational division, you will be moved to the competitive division on race day so please make sure your equipment is in compliance with your division by completely reading through the information page of your leg.
PLEASE NOTE: The only divisions considered recreational are Recreational Open, Recreational Mixed and Recreational Women. All other divisions are classified as competitive.
Only three divisions, Competitive, Recreational and Whatcom County, include subdivisions based on gender. Your team captain must ensure they pick the correct subdivision based on the following:
Open – (0-3 Women per team or 0-3 legs assigned to female racers)
Mixed – (4+ Women per team or 4+ legs assigned to female racers)
A: No, at this time we do not allow for solo racers, a team must have at least three racers.
A: Traditionally, eight, since you need two paddlers for the canoe leg. A racer will be allowed to participate in multiple legs (a maximum of three legs per racer) so teams can be made up of anywhere from three to eight racers. Please read the “Competing in Multiple Legs” section on this page of our website for more information on what is and what isn’t allowed as several combinations DO NOT compliment each other due to the highway closure and safety regulations.
A: A racer can compete in up to three different legs of the race for the same team or multiple teams. Please be advised that your timing chip will continue during any gear or clothing transitions and travel and gear logistics are the responsibility of the team and their support crew. Please read the “Competing in Multiple Legs” section on this page of our website for more information on what and what isn’t allowed as several combinations DO NOT compliment each other due to the highway closure and safety regulations.
A: Our Message Board allows you to post a message seeking a racer or look through posts by teams looking for a racer.
A: Registration closes at 5:00 PM on the Wednesday before race day BUT racers MUST complete registration by May 1st to be guaranteed an official Ski to Sea competitor T-shirt. Racers completing the process after May 1st will receive a Ski to Sea Beanie instead of a T-shirt.
A: The Team Captain is responsible for obtaining a replacement racer. The Replacement Racer MUST also sign the Hold Harmless form before race day or on-site at the Race Day Meeting held for that particular leg of the race. The easiest fix to this problem is for one of the racers to cover a second leg.
A: Our packet pickup page has the location and times for team bib pickup the Friday and Saturday before the race. One person picks up for the entire team and anyone can pick up one or more team packets as long as they have the team name and/or number.
A: Yes, there will be filtered water at each leg of the race. Supplies are limited at the DOT station (run to road bike) and we recommend that road bikers bring water to the transition point. We have food vendors at Riverside, Hovander, Zuanich and Marine Parks. The Mt Baker Ski Area Cafe will be open at Heather Meadows for drinks and light snacks. The only station that does not have food for sale is the DOT station so please plan accordingly. We have Beer Gardens at Hovander and Marine Parks. Alcohol is NOT PERMITTED at any of the parks or the Mt Baker Ski Area and having an open container is grounds for disqualification of your team from the race, no exceptions.
We work with local hotels in Bellingham and Whatcom County who provide a block of rooms for our racers at a discounted rate. Head to this page for the full list and to book.
Head to this page for a list of boats, bikes and skis to rent in the Bellingham, Seattle and Vancouver areas.
PLEASE NOTE: Canoes and kayaks sell out months before the race so book early.
MISSION
Whatcom Events aims to host and sustain environmentally mindful world-class events showcasing recreational opportunities in Whatcom County. Through friendly competition and fun at all levels, we seek to build vibrant and healthy communities while engaging and serving all people who work, play, live and visit our unique region.
VALUES
Inclusivity: Ensuring access, participation and accessibility in sports for individuals of all backgrounds, ages and abilities; fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.
Community: Recognizing and listening to our competitors, volunteers, spectators, staff and outside support, and all the people our events impact.
Competition: Valuing the benefits that come from outdoor sports and friendly competition while practicing good sportsmanship.
Sustainability: Mindful awareness of the environment, long-term viability of the organization and its activities; honoring the legacy of the Ski to Sea race and supporting community institutions and organizations.
Environment: Respecting the natural landscape that shapes our unique events.
Professionalism: Building welcoming and respectful relationships with integrity, safety, communication, and accountability for all stakeholders
