Combine spirited competition with excellent conditions, a fun atmosphere and great prizes and you've got the Squaw Valley Challenge, a new recreational race series open to both skiers and snowboarders at Squaw Valley USA.

Sponsored by Budweiser, the series kicks off on January 10, 2002 with the first of seven dual slalom races to be held on Squaw Valley USA's lower mountain Ford Olympic Race Arena. The format for the series is simple: On each of the race days the course will be open between 10am-1pm. Competitors may arrive at their convenience, register for $5 at the top of the course and take two timed runs. Prizes will be awarded to the participant with the fastest time on each individual race day and top finishers will be qualified for the Finals to take place at the end of the season during Squaw Valley's annual Spring Jam April 20-21, 2002.

"In this Olympic year, what's better than some friendly competition on Olympic soil?" said Eric Brandt, Director of Marketing for Squaw Valley Ski Corp. "It'll be fun for everyone."

Challenge dates this season are January 10, January 24, February 14, February 28, March 21, April 4 with the finals set for April 20, 2002. For more information, weekly results and standings visit the web page or call our 800#.

Squaw Valley is located five miles north of Lake Tahoe along the Truckee River on Highway 89. The senior friendly resort offers 4,000 acres of lift served terrain, ice-skating, snowtubing, rock climbing, an Olympic Winter Games Museum, shopping, dining and more.

Web site: http://www.squaw.com
Phone: 530-583-6985

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Staff