The Frigid Infliction

The Frigid Infliction is an 8-hour winter adventure race for teams of two or three. This race is scheduled for Saturday, March 3rd 2018 near Bolton Valley, VT.

This race features several winter disciplines as well as requiring you to continually navigate. If you have never done an adventure race before, this is a great choice. This was the first adventure race for about a third of the participants the past six years, so don’t be intimidated! That said: You may want to Test Your Nettle if you’re not sure about an 8-hour event.

Teams do not need support crews for this event. Outside of what is provided by the race organizers, teams must be self-sufficient. This is an adventure, after all!

Check out some of our past racers’ comments. If you’re looking for teammates, check our contact page for suggestions.

Disciplines

This year’s race will probably feature the following disciplines:

• Navigation with topographical map and compass
• Snowshoeing
• Cross country skiing
• Perhaps a surprise – time will tell!

This year’s race you’ll have quite a bit of control over the balance between skiing and snowshoeing. We’ll stick with our “choose your own adventure” format from 2017, hoping for more snow this time around. If you didn’t hear how that race was structured, take a look at the writeup from last March. No matter how the weather turns out, the adventure must go on!

One bonus – in 2018 you won’t be forced to carry your skis at any time! They’ll either be on your feet or in a safe spot. You’re welcome.

Directions

Our host venue will be the Bolton Valley Resort. Registration will be on-site at the Nordic Center. Here are directions to the resort.

The restaurant and pub at the resort will be open Friday night as long as you don’t arrive too late.

Cost

The Frigid Infliction aims to be one of the most affordable adventure races in the northeast. We’re a non-profit, so all the fees go towards making the event awesome.

• There's an up-front non-refundable $48 registration fee.
• There's a separate per-racer fee that we'll collect later.

• Dec 21 - Jan 03: +$81 per racer.
• Jan 04 - Jan 21: +$99 per racer.
• Jan 22 - Feb 11: +$111 per racer.
• Feb 12 - Feb 28: +$117 per racer. (No shirt choices at this point)

Please take a minute to review notes on costs and refunds including important details about what happens if you withdraw closer to race day.

Race fees cover the following (some of this TBD for 2017 as we finalize the new format):

• Race entry for your team – an opportunity to explore the outdoors in a new way, creating memories and friendships that last for years.
• Race maps and instructions
• Transport of gear or racers (if needed)
• All insurance, permits, and safety staff
• Pre-race navigation clinic from GMARA experts
• One of the best post-race parties in the industry!
• Thousands of full-size race photos, 100% free to racers.
• Prizes for top teams in each division as well as a gear raffle for all racers at dinner
• $400 sponsorship towards USARA nationals for the top 3-person coed team
• USARA Regional Qualifier (top teams qualify for nationals)
Rope setup and management by Petra Cliffs

Additional costs:

We love it when you bring guests at dinner, but to help offset those costs we’ll have to ask for $30 each. It’s worth it, our post-race party is one of the best around, and the company can’t be beat. You will need to plan ahead, though, and let us know about guests early enough that we can order food. Ideally, just talk the guests into racing.

Shirts are optional this year since racers keep telling us they have plenty – registered racers will see the options on the post-registration info page, with costs starting around $10 for a wicking T.

We’re not making a profit on dinner or shirts – just passing along our costs to you.

Register

Documents

For your reference – please take a moment to review these documents (not finalized yet for 2018), specifically the required gear list. Note that you have to actually bring all your gear to registration for a safety check. We need to be sure that we’re not sending you out unprepared, and that means looking at everything from water bottles and whistles to skis and snowshoes!

Race Rules
Mandatory Team Gear List
Mandatory Individual Gear List

We try to do most of our waivers online, but you may still have to sign a few paper documents at on-site registration.

• You can review the online waivers before registering if you have any concerns.
• A downloadable copy of the USARA Waiver is here.
• The basics of the GMARA photo release are included on the Race Rules Page.
• You’ll have to fill out this Emergency Contact and Medical Form at registration.
• Bolton Valley has us fill out paper copies of their waiver at registration.

Any racers under age 18 on race day will need a parent or guardian to sign waivers for them – in that case, we’ll reach out with specifics.

Schedule

Due to the nature of the sport, you must be punctual. All race activities will start on time whether your team is there or not. Set multiple clocks, hire a wakeup service, buy a rooster, do whatever you have to do to get up and be on time.

Please note: Registration includes a mandatory gear check for all members of your team. Bring all your required gear with you!

Updates

• March 7, 2017 - Frigid Infliction 2017 Results
• January 5, 2017 - New for 2017: Test Your Nettle
• December 10, 2016 - 2017 Frigid Infliction – Important Update
• March 6, 2016 - OGE Frigid Infliction 2016 Results
• February 27, 2016 - Frigid Infliction 2016 – Important News!
• March 3, 2015 - OGE Frigid Infliction 2015 Results
• February 9, 2015 - Frigid 2015 Updates
• February 9, 2015 - Frigid 2015 Shirts
• January 5, 2015 - Frigid Poster Contest, Early Reg Ending
• November 21, 2014 - Frigid & Wintry!

Teams

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a good race for a team new to adventure racing?
Absolutely. A 10-12 hour race is the standard length for a beginner adventure race. One thing we do really well is providing a enjoyable experience for the new teams. It’s even better for 2018! Only eight hours, smaller gear list, more control over disciplines. This is definitely the race to try.

Will we be plotting UTM coordinates?
No. We use pre-plotted maps. We made the decision as an organization that in a race of this length it made more sense considering the number of new teams we see. Never fear – the navigation will be challenging enough without this extra step.

What type of skis do you recommend?
Back country XC skis with metal edges are best, but regular Nordic touring skis will work. We do not recommend heavy duty tele or AT gear. Skate skis won’t work at all, as there will be travel off groomed trail.

Skins are sometimes helpful but not required, only a handful of teams ever bring them. Consider bringing them if you have them, but don’t run out and buy them for this race. If you have them, you’ll be carrying them through the entire race, not leaving them with your skis.

A few previous races have required carrying your skis for a time. You won’t know until race day if this is required, but you should be prepared for the possibility.