Top freeride skiers and riders from around the world will descend upon Lake Tahoe’s Sugar Bowl Resort March 13 and 14, 2010 for the running of the Silver Belt Banzai - a unique race blending the excitement of skicross/boardercross action with the tradition of a downhill race.

Starting atop Sugar Bowl’s famed Silver Belt Gully, skiers and riders will race out of the gate in four- and six-person heats, with the simple rules of staying on course and finishing fast enough to beat the other racers and advance to the next round.

Up to 100 skiers and riders, ages 16 and up, both men’s and women’s divisions, will compete in the race. Qualifying heats will be run on Saturday March 13, with winners earning a spot in Sunday’s final races and a chance for cash prizes. Entry fees are set at $100 per racer, which includes a lift ticket valid for the first day of racing, and both days of racing should the competitor advance to Sunday’s finals. If a lift ticket is not needed, entry fees are set at $50 per racer for the event.

Celebrating its 70th season, Sugar Bowl is steeped in tradition and history, and the Silver Belt Downhill is an integral part of the resort’s storied past. Dating back to 1940, for many years the race was considered the preeminent North American race for skiing’s elite. Racers would travel from their home resorts to compete for top honors on the challenging course, always finishing the event with a legendary celebration.

The 2010 race will keep the tradition alive, enticing today’s top skiers and riders by incorporating racing’s latest discipline of skicross and boardercross action.  Each afternoon will finish with festivities including live music and a post-race party in the Judah Lodge on Sunday.

To prepare for race day the perfect training grounds will be Sugar Bowl’s Silver Belt gully, essentially guaranteed to have a deep enough base for the event after recent storms dropped over 7 feet of snow.

For more information on Sugar Bowl please visit www.sugarbowl.com or call (530) 426-9000.
 

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