BURLINGTON, Vt. (July 15, 2002) -- Orage announced today that it will be the official sponsor of the Freeski Competition during the Molson Canadian Snow Jam Tour beginning mid-July through September 2002. The Molson Snow Jam is a summer long tour that gives people the opportunity to check out some of the world's most talented athletes involved in freeskiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, BMX riding, and in-line skating. As a key sponsor of the Snow Jam, Orage will be heading up the quarter-pipe competition, where top athletes will compete on 150 tonnes of snow that is being brought to each location.

In addition, Orage will be hosting the "Movin' On Up" contest where a lucky audience member will have the chance to get up close and personal with some of the world's best skiers by watching the ski competition from the top of the Molson Q-Pipe. Of all the athletes participating in the Molson Snow Jam, Orage is especially psyched to see some familiar faces from the free skiing world do their stuff. Athletes competing in the free skiing competition are Rex Thomas and Mauro Nunez (who also happen to be sponsored by Orage) Scott Gafney, Scott Hibbert, Chris Turpin, Tanner Hall, Evan Raps and Nicky Adams.

"We at Molson Sports & Entertainment are stoked to have, a core freeski brand, as a partner for this years US leg of the Molson Snow Jam tour," says James Tucker, Partners Manager.

"By participating in the Molson Snow Jam, Orage is continuing to keep up momentum with the radical sports crowd but we are also giving people, especially in urban areas, the opportunity to experience an awe-inspiring event such as, the Q-pipe competition," said Amy Carey, General Manager of Orage USA. "Summer is a great time for the Molson Snow Jam, in warm weather, when the excitement of free skiing is right out people's front door," said Carey.

The Molson Canadian Snow Jam U.S. will travel to the following cities:

* Buffalo, New York July 19th - 20th, at the HSBC Arena, 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza
* Detroit, Michigan, August 2nd and 3rd, at Comercia Park, 2100 Woodward Avenue
* Albany, New York, September 6th and 7th, Place TBD
* Boston, MA, September 27th and 28th, at the Bayside Expo Center, 200 Mount Vernon Street

The Molson Canadian Snow Jam Canadian tour will travel to the following cities:

* Calgary, Alberta August 9th - 10th at Camerica Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE
* Vancouver, British Columbia August 9th - 10th at False Creek
* Winnipeg, MB August 10th - 31st Location TBD
* Ottawa, Ontario, September 6th - 7th, Jetform Park, 300 Coventry Road
* Toronto, Ontario, September 13th - 14th, Bandshell @ Exhibition Place

To check out Orage product in any of the Molson Snow Jam Tour Cities visit The City Garage & Greg Dekdebrun's ski shop in Ellicotville, NY at the Buffalo event. For the Detroit, Michigan event visit Schummers Ski Shop Inc. in Grosse Pointe Woods, Bintz Ski Shop in Freeland, MI, Nichols Ski & Patio, Dearborn, MI and Don Thomas Sporthaus, Bloomfield Hills, MI. In Albany, New York visit The Sports Page in Glen Falls and Alpin Haus in Amsterdam. For the Boston, Massachusetts event visit The Ski Market, located in downtown Boston. In Canada, visit www.orageski.com or contact Orage at 800-360-6724.

For tickets or more information on the Orage Freeski event during the Molson Snow Jam, visit www.snowjam.ca.

About Orage
Based in Montreal, Canada and founded in 1990, Orage is on the leading edge of New School fashion. Featuring fresh looks for both on and off snow, the company offers a full range of outerwear, mid-and base layers, and casual clothing through specialty ski retailers across North America. USA headquarters are located in Burlington, Vermont. Currently, there are more than 450 members of the Orage family, each dedicated to the spirit of the New School. For more, contact 802-846-2690 or visit www.orageski.com.

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Gear Editor