PACRAT completes an outstanding season!

By Peter Dodd, PACRAT President

PACRAT Recreational Ski & Snowboard Racing had an outstanding 2019 race season. We began the season on the first Sunday in January with our NASTAR Open race and over 80 participants showed up at Mt Hood Skibowl. It was a bluebird day and we enjoyed some excellent, early season race courses. This event was open to the general public and all ages were welcome! As proof of that we had a family of five representing three generations with grandma, father and three children racing. Following the race, NASTAR bronze, silver, gold and platinum pins were awarded to deserving  participants.

 Our PACRAT race series began at Skibowl the following week. This year we had 217 ski and snowboard racers among 22 teams, representing six Pacific Northwest ski clubs. All five of our season races were held as originally scheduled; we hosted two races at Skibowl, two at Meadows, and the final race on the last Sunday in March at Timberline. Our end of season Rat Attack awards banquet was held in mid April with over 175 guests in attendance. PACRAT emblazoned water bottles were awarded to the top ten teams, and the winning team, the Beer Denners, was awarded the perpetual PACRAT trophy. Several individuals were acknowledged as well, including King and Queen Rat awarded to most improved racers during the season.

 The PACRAT season concluded with a fun race at Timberline on the final Sunday in April. The race was a fundraiser for Mt Hood Ski Patrol presented by PACRAT Racing and Mt Hood Adult Race Club. Over 40 participants enjoyed the beautiful spring ski racing, made multiple runs on the courses, and the result was a donation of over $1,500 to the Mt Hood Ski Patrol.