Billy Dutton Uphill at Palisades Tahoe

Are you tough enough for the Billy Dutton Uphill? This time-honored springtime tradition returns to Palisades Tahoe on Sunday, April 14, challenging racers with a tough, 2,000-foot climb from the base of KT-22 all the way up Mountain Run. But don’t let the climb scare you away, this is the event of the season, guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on top of the world as you summit the climb to High Camp.

This 3.2-mile course is a fun challenge for recreational athletes, runners, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, backcountry skiers, or anyone who loves a good climb. Wind your way up Mountain Run, then over to the top of Shirley Lake, and finally ending after a brief downhill at High Camp, where a festive afterparty awaits with food, music, and plenty of fun. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the Ted Beauchamp Scholarship.

There will be three divisions this year: non-metal-edge skis (Nordic gear); metal-edge skis (touring skis, splitboards, skimo, snowblades); everything else (runners, snowshoers, crab walkers). Online registration is open until 6 p.m. on April 11. Fee is $40; Far West members save $5. Race day registration is $50, payable by cash, credit card, or check made out to Far West Nordic Ski Education Association. Race begins at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Far West Nordic Juniors.

Billy Dutton was an athlete with extraordinary endurance, equally famous for his great smile as he was for his daily(!) routine of skiing up the Mountain Run on classic skis. As one of the founders of Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Dutton’s legacy lives on today through the Billy Dutton Uphill, commemorating his life and many contributions to the community.

Find full race details and registration information online at farwestnordic.org. So, ski it, skin it, run it, snowshoe it, or hike it — whatever works for you. Just get out there and be a part of the Billy Dutton Uphill. But, sorry — no motors or jetpacks allowed!