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On the Mountain

From amateur to World Cup events

Whether you’re into speed, air-time or jibbing obstacles in the park, there’s a full slate of events on the 2005-06 calendar for everyone – skiers and boarders; amateurs, intermediates and pros; kids and adults – starting this December and running through the month of May.

Entry fees are usually pretty cheap to encourage participation, and many events are well-sponsored with lots of draw prizes including skis and snowboards.

You can register for most events through Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations or by calling the reservation centre at 1-800-766-0449. You can also see what’s coming by going to the Whistler-Blackcomb website ( www.whistlerblackcomb.com ) and checking out the Events Calendar in the Things To Do section.

Here’s a short list of activities to keep your eye open for:

Regular Events:

Kokanee Valley Race Series – Dec. 15 to March 23

This long running race series takes place on Thursdays throughout the winter season, with competitors trying their edges in the alpine disciplines of slalom, giant slalom and super G.

The races are open to everyone, and a typical field includes everybody from former national team skiers to people who are new to skiing and snowboarding and enjoy racing gates. You have to be 19 to enter, but after that age is no barrier – there are age categories for women in their 60s and men in their 70s.

The cost is $20 per race or $150 for the entire 10-race series, and all participants will have a chance to win a pair of Atomic skis at the party following every race, as well as other great draw prizes. Show up at every event and you’re bound to win something.

You can register in advance at any Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations or Ski School Sales desk or by calling 1-800-766-0449. Event day registration takes place from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Rendezvous for Blackcomb Mountain races and the Dave Murray Race Centre at the top of the Garbanzo Chair for Whistler Mountain races.

Dec. 15 – Giant Slalom on Blackcomb

Jan. 12 – GS on Blackcomb

Jan. 26 – TBA

Feb. 9 – Dual Slalom on Blackcomb

Feb. 16 – Slalom on Blackcomb

Feb. 23 – TBA

Mar. 2 – TBA

Mar. 16 – TBA

Mar. 23 – Dual Slalom on Blackcomb

Sprite Park Rider Sessions – Dec. 18 to May 21

This park-oriented series is open to skiers and boarders of all ages – there are even categories for boys and girls 13 and Under – with eight rail jams, halfpipe contests, or slopestyle contests on the calendar.

These events take place on the weekend, and can draw skiers and snowboarders from as far away as Seattle. Some categories do sell out, so organizers encourage participants to register in advance.

Helmets are mandatory for all events, and mouth guards are strongly recommended.

The cost of taking part is $20, or $25 on the day of the event. Day of event registration is at either the Rendezvous on Blackcomb or Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler until 9:45 a.m.

All participants will also be eligible to win draw prizes. A pair of Atomic skis and an Atomic snowboard will be given away after every contest, as well as other prizes from Nintendo, Showcase Snowboards and Glacier Shop.

If you’re not up for the competition, the series attracts its fair share of spectators as well.

Dec. 18 – Rail Jam on Blackcomb

Jan. 8 – Halfpipe on Blackcomb

Feb. 12 – Slopestyle on Blackcomb

Mar. 19 – Slopestyle on Blackcomb

Apr. 2 – Halfpipe on Blackcomb

May 7 – Rail Jam on Whistler

May 14 – Rail Jam on Whistler

May 21 – Rail Jam on Whistler

King/Queen of the Rail – Jan. 7 to Feb. 18

The lower part of Blackcomb will be open nightly through the winter holidays, Dec. 22 to 31, and every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for Night Moves until March 4. That includes two runs, a few terrain park features, and the World Championship halfpipe at Base II, weather permitting.

Night Moves also features the third annual King/Queen of the Rail series. A set of four or more rails and boxes will be set up at the base of the mountain, and skiers and snowboards see who can land the best trick in an hour and a half open jam format. The winners are chosen by the riders themselves, with some oversight by event organizers.

To compete you need a Night Moves ticket ($15 for adults, $12 for youths, $10 for children 12 and Under), and $2. The money goes to the winners, while all participants have the chance to win an Atomic snowboard or a pair of Atomic skis, as well as other prizes by Nintendo, Atomic and Roxy in the prize draw.

You can register after 4:30 p.m. on competition days at the Ski and Snowboard School Sales desk in the Blackcomb Daylodge. Helmets are mandatory and mouthguards are strongly encouraged. The jam gets underway at 6 p.m. under the lights.

The dates are Jan. 7, Feb. 11 and Mar. 4. The women’s only Queen of the Rail jams are on Jan. 21 and Feb. 18.

Adult Masters Race Series – Jan. 29 to TBA

Details are still being finalized, but the Adult Masters Race Series is an alpine series open to skiers and boarder 19 and over. It takes place on three Sundays through the winter, and is geared to casual racers and all the racers who can’t make Thursday KVRS events. Teams and individuals also use the races as training for other events, like the annual Peak to Valley race.

Jan. 29 – GS (venue TBA)

Feb. 19 – Slalom (venue TBA)

Mar. 12 – GS (venue TBA)

Atomic Ski and Snowboard Supercross – Jan. 21-22 and Mar. 25-26

Snowboardcross is not just a pro event any more – come February it will be an official Olympic sport. Skiercross, which recently became a World Cup event, could be next.

This year the Atomic events will be opened up to skiers and snowboarders 17 and under, with categories to be determined based on registration.

Competitors should register in advance to guarantee their spots, as some categories have been known to sell out. Day of registration is available at the Rendezvous until 9:45 a.m. Helmets are mandatory for all competitors, and mouthguards and protective armor are recommended.

The cost is $30 to enter, and there will be prizes for the top three skiers or riders in each category. There will also be draw prizes for all participants, including an Atomic snowboard or Atomic skis. All classes are amateur.

Pontiac Race Centre – Opens Dec. 15

The Pontiac Race Centre will move to Blackcomb this year, and will be open daily through the winter for anyone who wants to practice gates or race their friends. It’s free to use, and all racers can get their runs timed.

Special Events:

Nokia FIS Snowboard World Cup – Dec. 8-11

The Nokia FIS Snowboard World Cup and SnowScene Festival returns to Whistler with two World Cup snowboardcross races and two World Cup halfpipe contests, including a Saturday night contest under the lights. As one of the last qualifiers for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, the event is attracting more attention that usual. For more information visit www.snowscene.ca .

Randonnee Rally – Jan. 6-7

This is the fifth year the Randonnee Rally series has come to Whistler, bringing some of the top big mountain skiers to the mountains from as far away as California. If you’re into backcountry skiing, this could be an event for you with both recreational and pro courses that involve long climbs and technical descents. For more information visit www.life-link.com.

Next X Snowsearch – Jan. 15-16

For the third year Whistler is hosting one of the fiver super qualifying events for the Sports Illustrated for Kids NextSnow Search in Killington, Vermont. Other qualifying venues are Okemo, Vermont; The Canyons, Utah; Heavenly, California; and Welch Village, Minnesota. There are dozens of other qualifying events across North America.

The event puts young skiers and snowboarders aged 9 to 13 through the paces in 10 events on several terrain types, including moguls, big mountain areas, racing and terrain park riding. The kids with the best scores in those disciplines, and the best overall attitudes, will earn a spot in the finals. The finals will be featured on NBC sports.

For more information visit www.nextsnow.com .

Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Telus Winter Classic – Jan. 28-29

This annual event includes a breakfast, a wine tasting, a Kokanee Apres party, the Mountain Top Gala and auction, the chance to ski with a pro, and entry into the Triple Crown Race Classic. The Classic includes a ski bike course, gates, and a banked slalom.

For more information visit ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/wbfoundation/

Appleton Rum Peak to Valley Race – Feb. 3-4

The Peak to Valley Race is sold out, but you can still get on the waitlist by calling Whistler-Blackcomb Events at 604-905-2039. On a normal year the GS course runs from the top of The Saddle to Creeskide, with two members of each team racing to the bottom each day. That’s a total vertical drop of 1,452 metres (4,800 feet) with approximately 140 gates along the way.

Garfinkel’s Double-Cross – Apr. 4-5

A pro-am snowboardcross and skiercross contest hosted by Garfinkel’s. You have to be 19 or older to take part. The cost of registration is $50 in advance and $60 on race day, and there are a limited number of spaces in each category so pre-registration is once again recommended. Spots are available at Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations, or at Garfinkel’s Night Club.

Mom’s Mountain Classic – Apr. 6

This fun race includes a morning coffee, race practice, a match-time race, lunch and an après party for participants. To take part you have to be a mom, and be a skier or snowboarder. The cost is $35 to race, and all participants will be eligible to win draw prizes.

Sierra Wireless Whistler Cup, International FIS Juvenile Ski Races – April 7-9

For the past 14 years the top K1 and K2 skiers from alpine racing countries come to Whistler every spring to race against the best Canada has to offer. Several members of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team as well as World Cup and Olympic champions have raced in the Whistler Cup. For more information visit www.whistlermountainskiclub.com .

Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival – April 14-23

This 10-day annual spring festival wraps up winter with pro contests, concerts, and cultural events like the 72 hour film festival and Pro Photographer Showdown. There are events for skiers and boarders, including pro halfpipe and slopestyle events (amateurs can qualify in the Sprite Series), a Gelendesprung ski jumping competition, the world ski school championships and several other events.

Crud to Mud Classic – May 20

Although this event was cancelled last year due to the lack of snow on the lower mountain, organizers are hoping to run the fifth annual event next spring. Raced solo or as part of a team of two, the courses includes a giant slalom to Olympic Station, followed by a rip down the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. The winners are the individuals and teams with the quickest time to the bottom.