WILMINGTON, NY (September 18, 2023) – The New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) will once again host the annual Climb to the Castle Rollerski Race up Whiteface Mountain on September 24 as part of the multi-day rollerski festival including the Keys to the Castle race at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. 

Each autumn, elite through recreational athletes of all ages gather at the Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway to race to the top of the highway or “Castle,” gaining over 3,600 feet in elevation. This year, athletes will have the option of registering for either a short or long course in either skate or classic, three and five miles in length.

For race-day details and to register for Climb to the Castle, visit: www.skireg.com/castle-conquest 

Schedule for Climb to the Castle:

Short Course Van Depart to Start @ 7:40 am, the gate opens for vehicles transporting athletes down the toll road between 7:40 and 7:50 am, then closes for the race start at 8 am. 

Awards will be at the Castle top (weather permitting) following the last finisher. The inclement weather location will be Wilmington Town Beach.  

  • Short Course Van Depart at 7:40 AM 
    • Gate Closes at 7:50 AM and Athletes to START
  • Open Technique Short Course Mass START at 8:00 AM
    • All techniques, genders & ages
  • Open Men’s Skate STARTS at 8:00 AM
    • All men skiing long course ages 20+
  • Open Women’s Skate STARTS at 8:05 AM
    • All women skiing long course ages 20+
  • Open Classic STARTS at 8:10 AM
    • All ages and genders ski long courses in the classic technique

Thank you to our sponsors for this year’s Climb to the Castle: NENSA, High Peaks Cyclery, Saranac Lake Marina, and a private donor who will award cash/prizes to the top three finishers in each category.

ABOUT NYSEF

The New York Ski Educational Fund (NYSEF) is a non-profit dedicated to empowering young athletes to understand and reach their potential through skills development and competition in alpine, biathlon, cross country, freestyle skiing, nordic combined, ski jumping, and snowboarding. NYSEF offers professional guidance and financial support for athletes to help every young person who passes through the program understand the value of teamwork and community and their role in both. NYSEF is the largest multi-disciplinary youth snowsports organization in the United States. Recognized as a “Gold Certified Club” by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard, NYSEF is one of the organization’s original eight Gold Club members and has been a leader in snowsport education for 50 years. Find more information online at NYSEF.org and on social media channels at Facebook.com/NYSEF and Instagram @NYSEFSnowsports.