Hillclimbers competing at eighth annual Beaver Mountain event

Hillclimbers competing at eighth annual Beaver Mountain event

By Claire Hubbard

Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association (RMSHA) will be hosting the eighth annual hillclimb competition this weekend at Beaver Mountain Ski Resort. 

As winter transitions to spring, some diehard snow lovers are looking forward to tearing up a snowy mountain on a snowmobile at high speeds for the last time this season.

“We expect 174 participants along with at least 200 spectators or more,” said Jeff Coiner, a promoter representative for the RMSHA Board.

The races are broken up into three classes, which include pro, semipro and women’s. These classes are then divided into stock, improved stock and mod. Within each division are 600, 700, 800 and 1000 cc size motors.

Every hillclimb starts the same way, according to Coiner. The race committee will set up a course, which consists of a beginning and end timed light and gates put in the snow about 10-15 feet wide. The gates are placed irregularly up the mountain course forcing the racer to weave across the hill while remaining inside between the gates. 

“If a rider manages to make it through the course and over the top of the mountain, they are given a time,” said Erin Beuhelman, the alternate director of the RMSHA board. “If no one goes through the end timed light you have what is called the “highmark”.  Who ever reaches the highest point or mark on the hill is the winner. ”

At the end of the race day, class winners will have a winner-take-all race. Each division will have one more run at the hill to determine King of the Hill champions for the race.

“This is a competitive and fun sport,” Coiner said. “We have some of the best racers in the world.”

Jeff Coiner’s son, Christian Coiner, is a Polaris sponsored racer.

“I race because you are racing against the best riders on the most difficult terrains,” Christian Coiner said. “It’s a good time.”

In addition to the professional race, a local class race is offered. Locals can race on the same hills as the semi-pros, according to Beuhelman.

“It is always entertaining at Beaver Mountain,” Beuhelman said. “There is no doubt about that.”