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 around the country.
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 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 1000 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 volunteer coordinator. 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
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
