High Country King of The Hill
New Bordercross & Skiercross Debuts at Hawksnest Feb. 25
A new day is dawning. No, it’s not a new typeface or graphic design—it’s
the fruition of a much-needed fire under the local ski and board community’s
buttocks.
An attempt to resuscitate the local snowsport community’s participation
in local events set up by local people, a group of beer leaguers have conceived
the High Country King of the Hill: The Quest for the Crown—a bordercross,
skiercross and after party to be held at Hawksnest on Sunday, February 25.
Remember the days when the Edge series took place? How about Hometown Advantage?
If you don’t, then you’re in the majority, because our area,
with all its snowsport opportunities, has recently lacked the community
involvement and enthusiasm that should be present in a region boasting four
great ski slopes—which currently almost have more snow on t
hem
than some slopes in the Alps.
We’re fortunate and we need to start acting like it.
Tapping into the vast realm of opportunities, a few local gentlemen sought
an alternative to judged or timed ski and board events.
With the popularity of the Sugar Mountain Adult Race League, now in its
second year, rising, as well as the popularity of the Shred for the Cup
series at Appalachian, these skiers and boarders wanted to see more events
as well as a more diverse offering of events. A skiercross and bordercross
were needed. And what would a snowsport gathering in the High Country be
without an after party? I didn’t want to find out, either.
OK, so here’s the deal. Boarders and skiers of any skill level from
our region, as well as outside our region, are invited to Hawksnest Resort
in Seven Devils on Sunday, February 25, for the High Country King of the
Hill: The Quest for the Crown.
Registration will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Hawksnest lodge
and racing will go from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Hawksnest’s Sock-em-Dog
slope. Racing will be conducted in a heat system, with each heat consisting
of four riders or skiers that start at the same time, and winners will advance
to the next round until a final heat is selected.
The event will be set up in an OPEN format with four divisions: Men Boardercross,
Women Bordercross, Men Skiercross and Women Skiercross. All participants
must be over 18 years of age (because we’re sick of being beaten by
high schoolers) and a cash purse will be given to the winners. The amount
of the cash purse is based on a percentage of the money taken in through
registration.
And were does that other money go? To a party, of course. After racing concludes
at 4:00 p.m., it’s up to the Nest Bar where awards will be handed
out to the first three places in each division and libations will be served
while general and much-needed merriment will ensue. Two bands are scheduled
to appear—two big names from our region that you won’t want
to miss—and raffles will take place while the MCs, Ken and Sam, intro
the music and conduct fun and games. The party will last until 10:00 p.m.
Richard Rominger—a 5-year veteran manager of a 245-acre terrain park
in Switzer, Idaho—will set the course for the race. The course will
be almost a mile long and will be chalked off—yes, just like in the
Olympics and the X-Games—and have breakaway gates. Bibs will be provided.
You are encouraged to be cocky.
Entry fee is $20 per rider and discounted lift tickets will be sold. The
after party is absolutely free, although the liquor is not. This event will
be a perfect precursor to the 2007 Nest Games that will be held the following
weekend.
If you’d like to volunteer, shoot me an email at sam@highcountrypress.com
or call Andy McDaniel at 828-266-1599.
Story by Sam Calhoun