The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Catch the top skiers in the nation ripping CBMR
The Freeskiing tour makes its annual stop at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) next week, Tuesday through Saturday, February 15-19.
CBMR and Mountain Sports International have teamed up to bring the US and World Freeskiing Tour to the birthplace of big mountain competitions. Crested Butte was the first in the United States to launch an Extreme Skiing contest, and this season marks 20 years. Competitors vie for the largest cash purse on the Freeskiing circuit and sweet prizes from all the sponsors.
Junior athletes age 14 to 17 will take over the mountain on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 15-16, for the Junior Freeskiing event. As many as 13 Crested Butte Mountain Sports Team (CBMST) athletes will be in the mix to defend their home hill. And with the winter we’ve had thus far, the CBMST athletes are on top of their game.
“Everybody’s skiing really strong,” says CBMST head freeride coach Woody Lindenmeyr. “Our younger crew is ripping it. Everybody’s technique is really solid.”
To get his athletes ready for their first big mountain event of the season, Lindenmeyr has them concentrating on one key aspect to big mountain success.
“The biggest thing is line choice,” says Lindenmeyr. “It comes down to what’s a smart line for them—one that’s not over their head but not too easy.”
The adults then take over with a qualifying day on Thursday, February 17. The competition wraps up on Saturday, February 19 with a weather day slated for Sunday.
As of press time, venues are still being considered and will be announced the night before each day but Mountain Sports director Drew Cesati says some new areas may be on tap this year.
“We’re looking at some different venues because a lot of the North Face slid earlier this year,” says Cesati.
