February 26, 2009 (Pinkham Notch, NH) – On Sunday March 8, 2009, Great Glen Trails will host Ski to the Clouds: North America’s Toughest 10k presented by Maxiglide. The race features a climb of more than 2200 vertical feet over nearly 4 miles up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. In 2008, more than 70 racers, including Olympians and top college skiers, took on the challenge of Ski to the Clouds. Last year was also the first year of the race’s new incarnation, which included 4km of racing on the trail system at Great Glen Trails before the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road.

The 2009 race will be contested on the same 10-kilometer course making it the toughest 10k in North America. The race will finish at the site of the historic Halfway House on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, just below 4000 feet above sea level. Ski to the Clouds is true freestyle event: skiers can use either skating or classic technique in this mass start race. There will not be separate categories for each discipline.

Thanks to generous support from Maxiglide, Ski to the Clouds will offer prize money for the top performers. With a total prize purse of $1400, cash prizes will be awarded to the fastest male and female competitors and to the fastest male and female over the age of 40. Great Glen Trails will also offer a prize raffle. For more information and to register for Ski to the Clouds, go to www.SkiToTheClouds.com

Great Glen Trails is pleased to have Maxiglide as the presenting sponsor for the event. Beginning in 1975, Maxiglide was the first American company to address the issue of snow and ice on the bases of the first waxless cross country skis. Maxiglide created a Teflon-based coating that not only sealed the bases from accumulating snow and ice but also enhanced the glide. Maxiglide now offers user-friendly fluorocarbon rub-in waxes effective in a wide range of conditions for all types of skis and snowboards. Maxiglide was the first to develop liquid coatings for skis, then paste waxes, and eventually similar technology for canoes and kayaks.

Great Glen Trails is open daily for cross country skiing and snowshoeing with 40km. SnowCoach tours up the Mt. Washington Auto Road are also running daily. Complete details and snow conditions available at 603.466.2333 or www.GreatGlenTrails.com.