The Teva Winter Mountain Games begin today

The first-ever Teva Winter Mountain Games get underway today in Vail, Colorado, where some of the top pro and amateur outdoor athletes have gathered to compete in a variety of sports. The event, which lasts through the weekend, will also feature a number of concerts, gear giveaways, clinics, and more.

Some of the sports that the athletes will be competing in including ice climbing, Nordic and telemark skiing, snowshoeing, and on-snow cycling. Even man’s best friend can get in on the action, as there are several events for dogs to compete too. But the biggest event of the weekend is the Ultimate Mountain Challenge, which features three different sports spread out over three days. In order to be crowned the King or Queen of the Mountain, a single athlete will have to fend off all the competition in a Nordic Freestyle race today, than follow it up with an up-hill cross country skiing competition tomorrow. On Sunday, those same competitors will then square off in the toughest stage of all – a skiing race up, over, and back down, Vail Mountain.

A large group of spectators are expected to be hand over the three-day event, cheering on their favorite athletes. That crowd won’t have to sit on the sidelines without getting the opportunity to join in on the fun however, as they’ll get the chance to take part in photo competitions and clinics, test out some gear, and hone their own winter outdoor skills. They can also enjoy an adventure film festival, listen to some live bands, and join the celebration at several parties.

The inaugural Teva Winter Mountain Games is a natural extension of the summer Mountain Games, which will be taking place later this year. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who loves to run, ride, or climb, you’ll certainly find a lot to love at both events.


Outdoor ‘treasure hunt’ puts $40k worth of gear up for grabs

Nationally syndicated columnist Stephen Regenold, best know by his pseudonym, The Gear Junkie, is hosting a scavenger hunt this July, and 300 lucky participants are going to get the chance to win some very cool outdoor gear in the process.

The first ever Gear Junkie Treasure Hunt is scheduled to take place on July 11th in Roanoke, Virginia, and will mix outdoor fun and adventure with the opportunity to go home with new gear from the likes of Sierra Designs, Deuter Packs, Brooks Range, and many more. But in order to earn that gear, participants will first have to compete in an open wilderness orienteering competition that will see them navigating their way through Explore Park, a wooded playground not far from Roanoke.

The rules of the competition are simple. At the start of the event, competitors will be given a map that will be marked with the location of flags that have been planted around the park. They’ll then have two hours to find as many of those flags as possible, earning one point for every flag they discover. At the end of the competition, they’ll be able to redeem those points for gear.

With more than $40,000 worth of swag up for grabs, the Treasure Hunt is sure to offer fun and fierce competition for all involved. Entry is limited to the first 300 who apply, and pay the $25 registration fee, so you may want to sign up as soon as possible to ensure your chance to compete. The registration page can be found by clicking here, and if you would like more information about the event, click here.

Teva Mountain Games hit Vail June 3-6

The Teva Mountain Games are set to get underway in Vail, Colorado next week, running from June 3-6. The annual event has become one of the top destinations for outdoor athletes who will compete in eight different sports and 24 different disciplines, including trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, whitewater kayaking and much more.

Returning to the Mountain Games this year is the Ultimate Mountain Challenge which seeks to crown a King (and Queen) of the Mountain by finding the best athlete across multiple events. Men and women competing in the UMC will take part in a 10k trail run, a cross country mountain bike race, a road bike time trial, and a 4-mile long kayak race. When all of the individual events have concluded, the athletes with the lowest total time across all four disciplines will claim victory.

The Mountain Games aren’t just about athletic competitions however, as there are plenty of other activities as well. For example, there is also an outdoor photo competition, an adventure film school, and plenty of live music all weekend long. The always popular Gear Town returns as well, with popular outdoor equipment manufacturers such as Eddie Bauer, Black Diamond, and of course, Teva, on hand to show off their latest gear.

If you’re an outdoor athlete looking for a little competition next weekend, that head on over to Vail to challenge yourself against athletes from around the world. If you’re in that same area and you’re looking for a little fun, while surrounded by fantastic scenery, than the Teva Mountain Games are just what you’re looking for as well.

[Image Credit: Teva Mountain Games]