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Full calendar for skiers and boarders

Whistler-Blackcomb sets dates for local events

sports@piquenewsmagazine.com

There’s snow in the upper alpine, more is on the way, and the excitement is building for the start of the 2004-05 ski season.

Blackcomb will open tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 20, and Whistler five days later. That gives locals about three weeks to get ready for the first competitions of the season.

From December to May, Whistler-Blackcomb hosts dozens of events for skiers and boarders, locals and visitors, and pros and amateurs, with formats ranging from new school rail jams to old school gate skiing. Prior competition experience is not a requirement in most events, just a few bucks and sense of adventure. Participants are generally well rewarded with draw prizes, after parties, and good company.

You can register for most events in advance at any Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations location, or by calling the reservation centre at 1-800-766-0449. Race day registration is also available, at a time and location selected by race organizers.

Sprite Park Rider Series – Dec. 12 to May 15

The popular Sprite Park Rider Series returns on Dec. 12, with a Rail Jam on Blackcomb Mountain.

There are seven Sprite events on the calendar this year, including two halfpipe events, three slopestyle events and two rail jams. Helmets are required for all events and mouth guards are strongly recommended.

The snow cross events have been taken out of the series, but between events like the Atomic Series and Garfinkel’s Double Cross, there will be ample opportunities to race this year.

The Sprite Park Rider Series is a unique amateur event with age categories for skiers and boarders from age 13 and under to 17 and over. Some of the events attract more than 100 riders with many of the age categories filling up, so pre-registration is strongly recommended. It’s also cheaper, with a $5 surcharge for event day sign-ups.

The cost is $20 per event, and a pair of Atomic skis and an Atomic snowboard will be given away at every event, as well as other draw prizes from Nintendo, Showcase Snowboards and Glacier Shop.

Dec. 12 – Rail Jam on Blackcomb

Jan. 9 – Halfpipe on Blackcomb

Feb. 13 – Slopestyle on Blackcomb

Mar. 20 – Slopestyle on Blackcomb

Apr. 3 – Halfpipe on Blackcomb

May 8 – Slopestyle on Whistler

May 15 – Rail Jam on Whistler

For more information visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/events/snowseries.asp

Kokanee Valley Race Series – Dec. 15 to Mar. 17

This year there are nine events in the Kokanee Valley Race Series, a Thursday alpine racing competition with giant slalom, slalom and super-G formats for skiers, boarders and telemarkers. As in past years, the final event is a dual-slalom.

The event regularly attracts the best skiers in the valley from age 19 to age 90, but also draws newcomers to the sport who are eager to improve their skills in the gates.

It’s also a social series with a well-attended after-race party at the Crab Shack, complete with video of the day’s event.

The cost is $20 per race or $140 for the entire season, which includes an opportunity to win a draw for a pair of Atomic skis at every event, as well as a selection of other prizes donated by Kokanee, Whistler-Blackcomb and GoreTex.

Dec. 15 – GS on Whistler

Jan. 6 – GS on Blackcomb

Jan. 27 – SG on Blackcomb

Feb. 10 – GS on Whistler

Feb. 17 – SG on Blackcomb

Feb. 24 – Slalom on Whistler

Mar. 3 – GS on Whistler

Mar. 10 – GS on Blackcomb

Mar. 17 – Dual Finals on Blackcomb

For more information visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/events/kokanee.asp

King of the Rail

Starting in December, the base of Blackcomb will be open Thursday to Saturday in the evenings for Night Moves, with a terrain park and halfpipe under the lights. Every few weeks organizers will host an open King of the Rail competition with each competitor kicking in $2 (after purchasing a Night Moves pass) to a pot that will be distributed to the winners in each category. Sponsored by Atomic, an Atomic snowboard or a pair of Atomic skis will be given away in a prize draw at every contest. There will also be prizes from Nintendo, Atomic and Roxy. Helmets are mandatory.

Dates: Dec. 15, Dec. 29, Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 12, Mar. 5 and Mar. 19. There will be a special women’s only Queen of the Rail contest on Feb. 19.

For more information visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/events/nightmoves.asp

Pontiac Race Centre – Open Daily

The Pontiac Race Centre on Whistler Mountain, under the Emerald Chair, will be open to the public as early as possible, allowing members of the public to make timed runs through the gates. Race your friends or use the centre to train for events like the Kokanee Valley Race Series or the Adult Weekend Race Series.

FIS Snowboard World Championships – Jan. 15-23

Every two years the International Skiing Federation (FIS) hosts a world championship of snowboarding, with the top riders from up to 30 nations vying for world champion titles in their respective disciplines. With 2006 being an Olympic year, the 2005 World Championships in Whistler promise to be the biggest yet, with athletes looking to lock up spots to represent their countries in Turin, Italy in parallel slalom, snowboard cross and halfpipe events. There will also be a number of pro events, including a McDonald’s Big Air.

In addition to the competitions, organizers will be announcing a lineup of musical acts in the coming weeks for a performance series, as well as a variety of other attractions.

There will be room for spectators at every event, giving you a chance to support your national athletes as they compete for world championship medals and Olympic berths.

The schedule is subject to change.

Jan. 16 – Nissan Snowboard Cross

Jan. 18-19 – Telus Parallel Giant Slalom

Jan. 21 – McDonald’s Big Air

Jan. 22 – Halfpipe (night event) and closing ceremonies

For more information visit www.whistlerworlds.com.

Life-Link Randonnee Rally – Jan. 8

Back for a third year in Whistler, the Life-Link/Dynafit Randonnee Rally is part of a five-stop tour of western alpine areas. Based on popular European events, and a former Olympic discipline, the Randonnee Rally puts pro and amateur backcountry skiers on a high alpine course that requires skinning uphill and skiing downhill. Up to 5,000 feet of elevation are gained and lost during the contest.

The amateur and pro athletes will compete on different courses. The pro Race Division has a vertical gain of about 5,000 feet and should take about two hours. The Recreational Division has a vertical gain of approximately 2,500 feet, and should take about an hour.

For more information, visit www.life-link.com.

Adult Weekend Race Series – Jan. 30 to Mar. 13

This Saturday alpine race series is for weekenders and local racers who can’t necessarily make the Thursday Kokanee Valley Race Series. There are three events on the calendar this year, Jan. 30, Feb. 20 and Mar. 13. Race details are still being confirmed.

Atomic Ski and Snowboard Supercross / Garfinkel’s Doublecross

Details are still being worked out for both events, but there are three cross events in March for skiers and snowboarders. Both are pro-am contest, with separate divisions for athletes, and the pros will be competing for prize money as well as prizes. The first Atomic event is on Mar. 6 and the second is on Mar. 25-26. The Garfinkel’s Doublecross, a now legendary local event with a huge after party to prove it, takes place on Mar. 29-30.

Only skiers and boarders 19 and older can participate in the events. For more information, check back with www.whistlerblackcomb.com/calendar/

Other events to watch for this year include the Challenge Cup, the McConkey Cup, the Appleton Rum Peak to Valley Race (sold out since June), the CIBC Wood Gundy K2 Parsons Speed Events, the Sierra Wireless Whistler Cup, the Mars J1 National Championships, the Lumberman Race, the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation Telus Mobility Winter Classic, the Mom’s Mountain Classic, the Showcase Showdown, the Crud to Mud, the Mouton Cadet race, and the many events of the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival.

More information will be available for these events, including registration details where they’re applicable, on Whistler-Blackcomb’s Web site in the calendar section. Visit www. www.whistlerblackcomb.com/calendar/