Backcountry skier Joseph Despres lost his life at 29 years of age in an avalanche at Yankee Doodle Lake in 2001. Only a few months later in spring at Eldora Mountain Resort, the DOJoe Uphill/Downhill Race was established in his honor. After being held at Arapaho Ranch for the last several years, Sunday, April 10, represented the return of the event to Eldora. The $30 entry fee and a percentage of all beer sales were donated to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center to support avalanche education and awareness efforts as well as forecasting and operations.

Telemark, AT/uphill, and splitboard gear was allowed at the starting line at the bottom of Bonanza Trail. From there participants slogged up the mountain through Jolly Jug Trail to Pipeline and West Ridge Traverse. The double-black diamond run West Ridge made for a challenging finish of a difficult race.

A raffle at West Wing Deck was held with prizes provided by Mammut, La Sportiva, Dynafit, Scarpa, Backcountry Access, Skratch Labs, Colorado Mountain School, Zeal Optics, Rockie Talkie Radios, Caltopo, Ortovox, The North Face, and Crosscut Pizza. Trophies were awarded for Men’s and Women’s Fastest 3, Fastest 3 Under 17, Fastest Telemarker, Fastest Splitboarder, Slowest Finisher, and Best Costume.

The event raised more than $6000 for the Friends of Colorado Avalanche Information Center, through a combination of registration fees, beer sales, and direct donations on race day to FoCAIC.

2022 DOJoe Memorial Uphill/Downhill Race – Official Results

Fastest Telemarkers

Men: Lance McCordle, 45.45

Women: Catherine Camp, 57.05

Fastest Splitboarders

Men: Justin Appleby, 45.25

Women: n/a

Fastest Eldora Ski Patroller

Makassi Chapman, 34.25

Fastest Skiers

Men

1. John O’Neill, 27.23
2. Andrew Weinstein, 33.00
3. James Bauer, 34.52

Women

1. Anna Baldwin, 41.38
2. Lia Engelstand, 47.39
3. Mindy Fowler, 47.42

Fastest Skiers Under 17

Men

1. Ely Wood, 59.19
2. Hayden Camp, 109.28
3. Bodhi Governson, 110.42

Women

1. Trinity LeBlanc, 109.30
2. n/a
3. n/a

Slowest Overall Finisher

Justin Stockdale, 1.44.37