Lyndsay Meyer and Sari Anderson, both of the Roaring Fork Valley, skinned and skied their way to first place last year in the women’s division of the annual Power of Four ski mountaineering race. “It’s not the most technical mountaineering race on the calendar,” says Meyer of the contest that has competitors climb 11,600 vertical feet over 25.3 miles across all four Aspen/Snowmass ski areas. “But in length and elevation gain, it’s one of the most difficult.” Not counting the pair’s antelope-worthy endurance and glutes of steel, Meyer told us what it took for them to win.

6 hours, 35 minutes, 24 seconds to finish the race.

10-15 hours of weekly training during competition season.

2 “people balancing their strengths and weaknesses to finish together, no matter what happens,” Meyer says.

9 transitions (putting on skins or taking them off and adjusting boots and bindings to uphill or downhill mode).

1 (or less) minute for each transition.

20 miles of uphilling during one week of training.

6 cross-training activities: running, cross-country skiing, biking, swimming, yoga, weights.

5 pounds each carried on her back.

1,590 weight in grams of one pair of skis and bindings.

5:1 ratio of curse words to words of encouragement.

30-45 minutes in between snacks.

9 hours of sleep the night before the race.

11-13 times Meyer ate during the race.

1 liter of water each consumed.

7 times Meyer has raced in the Power of Four.