The world of vertical skiing record

After that Dirk Beal and I were lucky to clinch what we believe is the current Utah record for vertical skiing in one day, it's fair to say that we've done something that is (almost) within the reach of everyone. What's needed is a fast lift on a steep slope, a good groomed run, the ability to dodge regular skiers and a cooperating weather. All this enabled us to rack up 112,750 feet in 8 ½ hour.

The same kind of performance could be achieved in a race format, like the now defunct 24 Hours of Aspen, in which competitors tallied up the most vertical possible in one day of skiing, under controlled conditions (ski run only open to competitors and allowing for downhill race speed), well groomed course lighted at night and the support of a cheering crowd plus an army of volunteers. Under these conditions, Chris “Superman” Kent, a Calgary native, set in 1991 the individual world record for most vertical feet skied in one day, 271,161 feet (83 laps on Ajax,) that still stands today.

Then there's this ultimate ski lift called helicopter. This one was used more recently to set the absolute vertical record on 29 April 1998, by claiming 353,599 feet in 14 ½ hour (representing 73 helicopter rides.) The place was Blue River, B.C. at Mike Wiegele's operations. The Canadian skiers where the same Chris Kent, Edi Podivinsky, Luke Sauder accompanied by Switzerland's Dominique Perret. The female record holder, in that same airlifted category, is the American Jennifer Hughes who, on April 20, 1998, racked up 305,524 vertical feet. Now you know the whole story...