February 14, 2008 (Pinkham Notch, NH) – On Sunday March 9, 2008, Great Glen Trails will host Ski to the Clouds: North America’s Toughest 10k presented by Maxiglide. The event is limited to 100 racers, and with less than a month to go, the field is nearly full. The race features a climb of more than 2200 vertical feet over nearly 4 miles up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The race is drawing Olympians and other top athletes.

Even though it was first held in 1996 and is part of a history of racing up Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, Ski to the Clouds has an entirely new twist for this version of the Nordic ski race. The new race will utilize the Great Glen Trails Nordic system for 4 kilometers before beginning the steep ascent up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. In the past, the race used only terrain on the Auto Road, limiting the distance. 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 a 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. Also, competitors may only use one pair of skis. Even though skating is faster than classic technique, the steep climb up the Auto Road may be an equalizer, and race organizers envision classic technique may be an advantage as it is great for climbing. Either way, strategy will play an important role.

Great Glen Trails is pleased to have Maxiglide as a major 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.

Thanks to the support of Maxiglide, Great Glen Trails will be offering prize money for the top performers in Ski to the Clouds. Prizes will be awarded to for the fastest male and female competitors and for the fastest male and female over the age of 40.

A number of top-level athletes have already committed to racing Ski to the Clouds, including two Olympians: Leslie Krichko and Justin Freeman. Krichko of Ridgefield, CT competed for the United States in cross country skiing in the 1980 and 1988 Olympic Games. Freeman of New Hampton, New Hampshire was a member of the 2006 Olympic Team. Also registered is last year’s winner of the Double Marathon Challenge, David Herr of Canaan, VT. In 2007, Herr had the best combined finish in the final Great Glen to Bretton Woods Nordic Adventure and the Rangeley Lakes Loppet: two 50km ski races held on consecutive days. Herr is also the two-time defending champion of Great Glen Trails’ There’s A Black Fly In My Eye 15k Trail Race and Relay held in June. U.S. Mountain Running Team member and North Conway resident Kevin Tilton is also scheduled to compete. Tilton has a number of top ten finishes in the annual Mt. Washington Road Race held each June.

The uniqueness of racing up Mt. Washington is a draw in any season, and a number of competitors in the summer cycling races, the Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb and Newton’s Revenge, have registered for Ski to the Clouds, including Diana Hanks, a regular podium finisher in her division and active forum participant.

For more information or to register for Ski to the Clouds, visit www.skitotheclouds.com or call 603.466.2333.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 www.greatglentrails.com.