the race

Whats up with Bikini Banked Slalom?

The race is FREE and open to women only. All ages are welcome. There is no registration just show up and shred. The race is a jam format where you can take as many runs as your legs can handle, best time wins. You can show up and take one run and leave or you can take 10 runs. We start out with a warm up where you can ride the course for an hour and then we collectively decide when to start timing. When everyone feels like there done and ready for awards we collectively make a decision to stop. Overall the race can take around 3 hours.

no dudes allowed…

Well, kind of… Guys are more than welcome to help design and dig the course during Dig Days, as well as ride the course on race day. However, this is a women’s-only race. Men will not receive a time and must give priority to women in the line up on race day. Once the race is over, the course is fair game—even skiers can ride it if they want.

race categories

There are three categories: Fastest Time, Fastest Mom & Daughter Combined Time, and the most prestigious award, Best Bikini. Bikinis are encouraged, but you don’t have to wear one to win Best Bikini. All the women who participate vote on who they think has the best vibes and rocked their outfit the most.

Based on the year and the design of the course, we also have an award specific to the course

fastest woman

Fastest Mom & Daughter

Best Bikini

timing

There are no fancy timing mechanisms at BBS—just two timers and some walkie-talkies. Timing is handled by two people: one at the top of the course and one at the bottom. The timer at the top calls the racer’s name and the countdown, while the timer at the bottom records the time from countdown to finish.

THIS IS A BACKCOUNTRY EVENT!

The end of the season brings low avalanche danger but there is always a chance - enough to ride enough to slide - Wet slides are the biggest avalanche problem especially with afternoon warming. With a mile hike to get to the course please plan accordingly. Beacon shovel probe, first aid, food, water, extra layers, hat, sunblock, optional beach chair. We practice leave no trace principles and pack in and pack out everything. Our main goal is to keep everyone safe and having a good time especially in our bikinis.

  • BBS is a women’s-only snowboard banked slalom race located in the Grizzly Gulch/Michigan City area of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

  • BBS is usually held in the month of May, depending on snowpack and weather. We aim to host the event on a weekend day and use the previous week to dig and ride the course. We also try to schedule the event on a day that does not coincide with a resort’s closing weekend. When all the stars align, we announce the date a couple of weeks in advance and hope for sunny, sick weather.

  • BBS is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, about a mile up from the upper Alta parking lot, in an area known as Michigan City. Driving up LCC, you’ll pass the Snowpine Lodge on your right. On the opposite side of the road, there is parking and a private slope that leads to a few homes—this is where the trail starts. This link will take you to the map.

  • BBS is FREE to enter and ALL ages are welcome!

  • There are three categories: Fastest Woman, Fastest Mom–Daughter Team, and Best Bikini. The event is run in a jam format, meaning you can take as many runs as you want. For example, you can show up, take one run, and leave—or hang out all day and take as many runs as your little heart desires. The fastest time wins.

  • Totally cool! We encourage bikinis, but you can wear whatever you want. We’re all here to have a good time in the sun and slash some slushy berms. Wear what makes you feel good.

  • The Best Bikini award is voted on by all the riders. You don’t have to wear a bikini to win.

  • YES! This is a backcountry event. Even though it takes place in the spring, avalanche danger can still exist. Please plan accordingly and bring proper safety gear, along with food, water, and extra clothing. Plan to pack in and pack out, and leave the area as you found it.

  • Dudes are more then welcome to come ride the course but the race is for the Ladies