"Endless Winter Snow"

Snow Alert - Jackson Hole Wy, Snowbird Ut, Mt Hood Meadows Or, Stevens Pass Wa

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Stubai Glacier - Austria

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Freeride World Tour 2009

Freeride World Tour 2009

Sochi - Russia 20-25 January Squaw Valley USA 27 February-5 March Squaw Valley USA
Tignes -France 8-14 March Tignes
Verbier- Switzerland 20-29 March Verbier

Three new events have now been certified as Freeride World Qualifiers (FWQ), in Chamonix (FRA), Taos, (USA) and Squaw Valley USA. These events join eight other competitions previously announced making the total number of qualifier events 11 for the Freeride World Tour 2009 in Europe and in the United States.

The Freeride de Chamonix (FRA), 15-19 February, will take place in the amazing 'Pentes de l'Hôtel' in the Brevent ski area facing the spectacular Mont Blanc. Chamonix is returning to their tradition of major freeride competitions which allows for a FWQ in the French Alps! Info at: www.freeridechamonix.com

The Tram Face Golden Ticket in Squaw Valley USA, 20-22 February, sister event to the Nissan Tram Face – Squaw Valley USA will take place on "the Light Tower Face". Following this new Freeride World Qualifier event, the American stage of the Freeride World Tour will take place a few days later (27 February-5 March) on the Tram Face, a mythical face that has never been open for freeride until now. The Tram Face Golden Ticket will allow young talented Americans to go for their spot to compete against the world's best since the top three in each category (a total of 12 athletes) will automatically qualify for the Nissan Tram Face!

The Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships in Taos, New Mexico (USA), 4-7 March, completes this great series of events selected in the US as a Freeride World Qualifier, allowing the best to qualify for the Freeride World Tour 2010 without coming to compete in Europe. Info at: www.skitaos.org/freeride
23 'Wild Cards' given for the Nissan Russian Adventure in Sochi, Russia, first stage of the Freeride World Tour 2009 (20-25 January)

Joining the 40 best skiers and snowboarders already qualified to take on the Caucase mountains at the end of January, the 'Wild Cards' are given to exceptional athletes for each of the Freeride World Tour events. These riders, considered part of the world's elite, are selected by the organizers of each event. Often, they are athletes coming back after an injury or those that have not been able to participate in enough events to score enough points in the Freeride World Ranking to be qualified. Particularly important to note is the presence of exceptional riders such as Steve Klassen (USA) in snowboard, victory record holder of the Nissan Xtreme – Verbier, Richard Permin (FRA), freestyler above all, yet wants to reveal his freeride talent, as well as Sverre Liliequist (SWE), extremely motivated to return to top level competition at the FWT 09.

Henrik Windstedt, World Champion 2008 in ski and member of the Pro Freeriders Board 2009 "It is great to see the evolution of the Freeride World Tour after a successful first season. All the top riders appreciate this new circuit and are coming back for a second year so the level of performance will be even higher and more impressive than last year. The Freeride World Tour, by offering truly professional events and numerous qualifiers, is the future of our sport."

Complete Wild Cards list for the Nissan Russian Adventure- Sochi- Russia (20-25 January): Ski Men:
WC1_PERMIN Richard FRA
WC2_BAYDAEV Alexander RUS
WC3_LILIEQUIST Sverre SWE
WC4_GARBIEL Craig USA
WC5_POST Griffin USA
WC6_MEYNET Olivier FRA
WC7_CRABTREE Brett CAN

Snowboard Men:
WC1_KLASSEN Steve USA
WC2_ZIPSER Max AUT
WC3_LVOV Pavel RUS
WC4_DRUZHININ Egor RUS
WC5_THEMEL Eric AUT
WC6_ CARRON José SUISki Women:
WC1_PERSSON Marja SWE
WC2_ASHTON Jen CAN
WC3_SOROKINA Veronika RUS
WC4_JAKOBSSON Stina SWE
WC5_HARGIN Janette SWE
WC6_MONEGO Giulia ITA
WC7_BURGE Jamie USA

Snowboard Women:
WC1_PAHL Elizabeth RUS
WC2_PEKAREK Bibi AUT
WC3_BOCK Aline GER
Freeeride World Tour

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Big Sky Resort
Today's Word: Deep snow is a guarantee today after a winter storm has stuck around for nearly 3 days. Ski Patrol reports extremely light and fluffy snow all over the mountain so be prepared for faceshots. Join us for our holiday week of activities, including a few Santa sightings
www.bigskyresort.com

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White Pass - Wa
Surface: Powder
Grooming: Cascade, Holiday, Holicade, Bird runs, Far East, Poma Face, Lower Roller Lifts: Running all lifts conditions permitting

Notes: TERRAIN PARK - first few features are up! Stop by and thank the crew for their effort! Steeps are VERY close - watch the website for updates.
www.skiwhitepass.com

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Colorado
Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone have been enjoying amazing early season snowfall with storm after winter storm blanketing our Colorado Resorts ? Beaver Creek has received 3 feet of snow in the last week

Vail photo of the day