Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes, we picture participants skinning up the slope or snowshoeing.  You need to get up under your own power but walking up (w/o snowshoes) will not be allowed.

Participants need to transition from uphill travel to downhill ski/ride travel.  Whatever gear you utilized to get up the slope needs to come back down with you: skins, snowshoes, poles, etc.  We recommend a backpack

No, all participants must obey all traffic laws as there will be regular traffic on the roads.  At the major road crossings, we will have traffic control helping with participants crossing.

Yes.  How you work out the segments of the race with your relay team members is up to you.  The team member who skis Mt. Pisgah can also be a paddler for your river segment.  Or a nordic skier.  The biker can also be a runner, or a paddler.  Be creative but ensure you have the logistics figured out of how to get team members to their transition areas during the race.

Each relay team will be given a numbered elastic armband that must be worn by the relay member currently racing a segment.  At transition zones, once the ending segment's gear is stowed (bike put on the bike rack, skis on the ski racks, boats placed in the transition area, etc.) the armband can be handed off to the next segment's participant.  As much as possible, the number needs to visible at all times.

We can.  Post something to our Facebook page looking for teammates for certain race segments, or reach out to us and we can try to connect you to others looking for teammates.

Absolutely!  Please!  While we envision some entrants going all out, this is a community event and we take all ability levels.  Keep it fun, keep it safe, and we'll all meet back up at Mt. Pisgah for the after party.  An award will be given each to the 1st place overall solo, 1st place relay team, and a spirit award for a racer or volunteer who best embodies the overall spirit of the 3P.

We will have aid stations at Mt. Pisgah, Dewey Mt, and the SLF&G Club that have food and beverages for racers.

Yes, we are partnering with the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad who will have a presence along the race route should a participant need attention.

We know, this is a bit out there.  But we're hearty folks, aren't we?!  The river segment of the race is moving water but aside from a single "swift" section near the Pine Street bridge, it is all flatwater.  The river will be scouted ahead of time to make sure it is safe to paddle; we will be looking for strainers, sweepers, and any shore-fast ice.  By and large, absent these things it will be very similar to paddling in the summer.  Please use a boat you're familiar with and that is stable.  We will have spotters at the put-in and take-out assisting with launching boats, as well as safety boaters along the river route should assistance be needed.  We require PFDs but please also dress accordingly and wear gloves and appropriate footwear, and consider wearing a drysuit if you have one.

Absolutely.  If you are a solo entrant for the race, you'll be expected to solo paddle the river segment of the race.  However, if you're on a relay team you can certainly use 2 of your relay team members to tandem paddle the river segment.  

We do.  If there is no snow on the trails at Dewey to x-c ski on, or there is shelf-ice in the river we will need to cancel segments of the race.  The weather is the big x-factor with planning and pulling off this kind of race, and we're ready to be flexible.  The week before the race we plan to announce likely segment changes if conditions warrant, with all final decisions/changes being announced at the mandatory Pre-Race meeting on Friday evening at 5pm, Mt. Pisgah Lodge.

So are we!  Haha, just kidding.  As much as these events are about the fun course and featuring the great recreational venues of the area, a lot of the 3P experience is the preparation and fun logistics that is needed to both plan and successfully compete in one of these events.

Overall, as planners of this event we empower you to be in charge of your race plan and its logistics.  See the "Race Details" section for the time windows when you can drop your gear off at transition zones.  Please figure out how you'll get your relay partners to their segment's start, and how you will get all your team members back to Mt. Pisgah after the race for the After Party.  

We'd like to limit the number of cars at our transition points so please be as efficient as possible.

All race-associated gear (skis, poles, bikes, paddles, etc.) should be labeled with your name and phone number, and with the provided race sticker numbers.  After you have finished a race segment, all gear can be picked up and taken with you as long as you have a matching armband or numbered sticker for that gear.  Race captains will be overseeing each transition zone of the race and will check gear out.  Please plan a way to pick up your gear in a timely manner after the race so all volunteers can get back to Mt. Pisgah for the After Party. 

First off, by registering for the race event you're supporting a nonprofit that is organizing this herculean effort to show off our incredible front-country recreational venues, so thanks!  Secondly, your registration offsets our costs associated with hosting the event: Porto johns, permit fees for venue usage, insurance, etc.  

So what do you get from registering?  You get an incredible endorphin dump for participating in the fun course we've designed.  Oh, and you get a custom Saranac Lake 3P neckwarmer from Skida, a free after party meal ticket, the opportunity to buy a cool race t-shirt, a complimentary beer for the after party, and other great swag in your race bag.

We really need you there.  This race is logistically complicated, and we need all participants on the same page with expectations and protocols.  

But most importantly, we are concerned about your safety and the safety of our volunteers.  We all need to know what's going on and the best place to get all of that information out is at this Pre-Race Meeting.  We will be going over the course route, required gear, race rules, and any last-minute changes to the race based on weather and conditions.