Event Description
The MDVC is scheduled at many different ski resorts during each season. On the day of the event, participants fill out registration forms to sign up for the race in a certain category and receive a racing bib with a number on it. A white long-sleeved t-shirt is given as a bonus to the first 100 people who register. Registration begins at 8:00 AM, but there is usually a line at the desk prior to this so people can ensure they receive a shirt.
After registering, skiers and snowboarders can later begin racing on the trail where the racecourse is set up. This trail is usually rated green (easier) or blue (more difficult) so racers of all abilities can participate. The line for the race builds early, as well, as some prefer to race with more snow on the course rather than slipping on ice which develops later. Usually there are two courses, red and green, set up next to each other to keep the line moving quickly, but when there is not enough room, one course with alternating red and green flags is used.
Also, during the day, free Mountain Dew is given away from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, stopping one hour for the high-traffic lunch time, so mountains can sell their own beverages, then resuming at 1:00 PM until everything is given away. During the noon hour, various types of games are played for prizes, including sucking Mountain Dew out of a baby bottle, eating crackers then trying to whistle, untying a frozen t-shirt, and searching for a piece of bubble gum in whipped cream then blowing a bubble. Small prizes such as jackets, shirts, or sweatshirts are given away to the top finishers in these games.
When racing is over, the results are tabulated for each category of racer so awards can be given out. Before this time, however, prizes are given away in a lodge at the mountain, or rarely outside if the weather is nice, during the "Vertical Victory Party." At many locations, the MDVC staff, the "Dew Crew," sells raffle tickets for certain prizes. These tickets cost $5 for an "arm's length," usually 12, and raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. After several prizes are raffled off according to these tickets, many of the other prizes are given away by racing bib number or the awards are given away. Sometimes, all of the other prizes are saved until after the awards, as many people want to receive their awards and leave, therefore giving better odds to win for the people who stay because one has to be there to win. When a number is called and the person is not present, a chant that goes through the crowd is, "Going once, going twice, see ya!" The Dew Crew also starts the chant of "Mountain Dew!" to get people excited about the skis or snowboard being given away.
Read more about this topic: Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge
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