Mash the Banana this Saturday

Wax ‘em up for the second annual 7 Hours of the Banana

The 7 Hours of the Banana joins in with a long list of classic local fundraising events and could soon eclipse them as skiers and snowboarders have the chance to ride down the Banana as many times as possible in seven hours.
The Banana is the prominent avalanche chute that sits on the west side of Crested Butte Mountain and greets all skiers and snowboarders as they make their way up Gothic Road to the base area.
It’s a classic run first opened in the early 1990s to the general public.
Retired ski patroller Johnny Biggers was part of a team that worked diligently to pull the terrain into the fold of Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Since then Biggers considered an event that could possibly showcase the classic ski run.
Last year, the idea came to fruition and Biggers put his money where his mouth is. Not only was he integral to the event coming together, he also participated, coming in second place behind Wendy Fisher. The two skied 31 laps each on the Banana, a total of 64,480 vertical feet of skiing in seven hours, with Fisher edging Biggers out in the end.
“I thought it was one of the most taxing things I had done in a long, long time,” recalls Fisher.
An unbelievable cross section of the Crested Butte community showed up for that first event.
There were überathletes, former U.S. ski team members, telemark skiers, snowboarders, six-year-olds Gus Bullock and Charles Zeiter, Jr. and 68-year-old Bruce Clark.
And the costumes, team Chiquita Banana kept the fruit on their head all seven hours.
All told, 78 individuals showed up to partake in the inaugural event and what transpired was incredible.
The event returns this Saturday, March 5 with a Le Mans start at 8:50 a.m.
Fisher admits that the title is not necessarily on her mind the second time around.
“Last year I was pretty fired up,” says Fisher. “I’ll give it my best but this year but I’m into more of the fundraiser aspect. If I can raise a lot of money it’ll be worth it.”
Biggers will be out there again as well and he believes the 31-lap record can be broken.
“If it’s a good day I think 31 is beatable,” says Biggers. “They may speed up the Silver Queen again this year for the event.”
He expects trouble to come toward the end of the seven hours with more people gunning for the title this year than last.
“We may have more people at the end on the same lap count,” says Biggers.
For anyone looking to jump into the Banana for seven hours for the first time, Biggers has some advice.
“Have good equipment and use the feed zones,” says Biggers. “It’s a double black diamond with all the tricky entrances and exits Crested Butte is famous for. The main part is easy—just do big swooping banana turns.”
Biggers reminds participants that while it is a competition for some, it’s a fundraiser for others and to keep your speed in check.
“You’ve got to ski in control,” says Biggers. “It’s not a downhill race. Ask to pass.”
It costs $50 to enter the event for participants 18 years and older. Anyone under 18 pays their age plus $15. Registration can be done online at adaptivesports.org or cbskiclub.org until 6 p.m. on Friday, March 4. There will be a last-minute, onsite registration area and bib pick-up Friday evening in front of the Adaptive Sports Center offices in the Treasury Center from 4 to 6 p.m. Registration will be capped at 100 athletes.
Proceeds from the event will be split between the Adaptive Sports Center and the Crested Butte Ski Club. For more information check out http://www.adaptivesports.org.