THANK YOU
On behalf of the Blake family and the Staff at Taos Ski Valley, I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all the competitors and competitor's families and friends who participated in the 2009 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos. The energy, athleticism and sportsmanship that all of you bring to our resort infuses all of us with a newfound love and respect for skiing and snowboarding. Ernie Blake would be proud. I hope all of you will continue to support the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos. It would not be the same without you.
Yours truly,
Alejandro Blake
GENERAL INFO
Taos Ski Valley is proud to host the 2009 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships, New Mexico's most prestigious skiing event. This big-mountain competition will be held from March 4 - 7, 2009 on Taos' famed steep terrain, with venues including the ragged chutes and cliffs of the West Basin and the incomparable Kachina Peak.
As was the case in previous incarnations of this event, competitors will move through a variety of qualifying days, with top finishers advancing to the next round to ski more difficult venues. Competitors are judged on degree of difficulty of line, aggression, fluidity, control, and style by a panel of five judges. The field is progressively cut until only the top athletes remain to compete on the final day.
With more than 100 skiers and snowboarders chasing a $12,000 purse, there's no doubt that next year's installment of the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships will be one of the most competitive ever.
Dates:
March 4 - 7, 2009
Location:
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Showcasing Taos' legendary terrain.
153 miles north of Albuquerque. MAP IT
Competitors:
Men and Women Competitive Freeride Skiers and Snowboarders
Registration limited to approximately 130 competitors.
Divisions include Men, Women, Masters and Juniors.
Prize Purse:
$12,000 cash
Registration:
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
FWQ Judging Criteria
Venues:
Representing some of the best double-diamond terrain in the country, the venues for this event showcase Taos' toughest terrain. Kachina Peak and the West Basin Ridge are littered with tight lines, cliffs and rocks. Venues will be determined by the ski patrol, chief of race and event staff and are subject to change depending upon snow and weather conditions. Download a Taos Ski Valley trail map.
Judging:
Taos will not be an IFSA competition this season. Instead it will employ the judging standards that slightly differ from similar types of big-mountain competitions sanctioned by the IFSA. Our criteria is sanctioned by the Freeride World Tour, and is used at all FWT events as well as FWT qualifying events. Please review our judging criteria to completely understand how your run will be scored. Should you have any questions before, during or after the competition, the event organizers will be happy to address them.
Questions:
Alejandro Blake, Events Coordinator
Phone 575-776-2291 ext. 1436
Email amb@skitaos.org
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, March 4
Mandatory competitors meeting, 6:00 PM
Tenderfoot Katie's Cafeteria located in the TSV Resort Center
Thursday, March 5
On-Hill Action Day One: West Basin Ridge
Friday, March 6
On-Hill Action Day Two: West Basin Ridge
Aprés Ski: Red Bull Gap Session, watch top athletes perform insane ski and snowboard tricks
over the Taos trail map sign at the base of Lift #1, 5:00 PM
DJ Uplifter at the Martini Tree Bar, 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 7
On-Hill Action Finals: Kachina Peak
Aprés Ski: Awards presented at the Martini Tree Bar, 5:30 PM
Red Bull / Stolichnaya / Budlight Awards Party with Lyrics Born, 8:00 PM
2009 Results : Senior Women : Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos
| Finish | Bib | First Name | Last Name | City | ST |
| 1 | 84 | Michelle | Gmitro | ||
| 2 | 61 | McKenna | Peterson | ||
| 3 | 46 | Lorraine | Huber | ||
| 4 | 106 | Francesca | Pavillard-Cain | ||
| 5 | 37 | Karine | Falck-Pedersen | ||
| 6 | 128 | Rebecca | Lefanowicz | ||
| 7 | 10 | Rebecca | Selig | ||
| 8 | 39 | Erin | Bragg | ||
| 9 | 40 | Alix | Klein | ||
| 10 | 21 | Kathryn | Gillen | ||
| 11 | 90 | Emily | Teague | ||
| 12 | 109 | Hannah | Whitney | ||
| 13 | 91 | Phillipa | Hunt |
2009 Results : Senior Men : Extreme Freeride Championship at Taos
| Finish | Bib | First Name | Last Name | City | ST |
| 1 | 6 | Cliff | Bennet | Ward | CO |
| 2 | 25 | Abbott | Smith | ||
| 3 | 15 | Garrett | Altmann | ||
| 4 | 120 | Julien | Lopez | ||
| 5 | 51 | Travis Hart | Wolfe | ||
| 6 | 36 | Mike | Vaughan |
2009 Results : Junior Women : Extreme Freeride Championship at Taos
| Finish | Bib | First Name | Last Name | City | ST |
| 1 | 127 | Chysanthe | Demas | ||
| 2 | 18 | Brooke | Lederer | ||
| 3 | 92 | Carmen | Fregulia | Graeagle | CA |
| 4 | 28 | Kelsey | Lewis | Basalt | CO |
2009 Results : Junior Men : Extreme Champioship at Taos
| Finish | Bib | First Name | Last Name | City | ST |
| 1 | 17 | Michael | Gardner | ||
| 2 | 24 | Richard | Pyatt | ||
| 3 | 29 | Garrett | Schlag | ||
| 4 | 137 | Amon | Barker | ||
| 5 | 27 | Brandon | Clabaugh |
2009 Results : Snowboard Men : Extreme Freeride Championship at Taos
| Finish | Bib | First Name | Last Name | City | ST |
| 1 | 117 | Robert | Rotman | ||
| 2 | 133 | Bradley | Thompson | ||
| 3 | 139 | Jack | Wilson |
NEWS
March 10, 2009
BENNETT, GMITRO TAKE TAOS: FALLS BY LEADERS OPEN DOOR FOR BENNETT
Cliff Bennett took a conservative second run that kept him standing up to take victory in the finals at the 2009 Salomon Extreme Freeriding Championships in Taos on Satuday. Bennet was the beneficiary of falls by the leaders that opened the door to the top spot on the podium for him. Michelle Gmitro, on the other hand, took charge of the competition by laying down an aggressive final run to surprise a talent-packed field and take victory. Robert Rotman aced the snowboard field, with Chysanthe Demas and Michael Gargner topping the JR division.
Saturday's event provided plenty of action as the remnants of a Friday storm left Taos' West Basin venue in exceptional conditions. The moisture-packed storm, which forced a weather delay on Friday, was exceptionally windy, resulting in a creamy snowpack that athletes took full advantage of.
Due to the weather delay on Friday, even organizers gambled on giving athletes two runs with an aggressive cut to the field for the second run on Saturday. The gamble paid off in all divisions but men’s ski, as the winds picked up during the day, closing Taos' Chair 2 and severely limiting the cut for the final men's run.
"We were able to give almost everyone, the juniors and the women a pretty generous cut for the second run," said Chief of Race Tom Winter. "But once the weather rolled back in, we really had to make a brutal cut for the men. It's too bad, but that’s how it goes in big mountain skiing. Mother Nature saved us with the snow, but killed us with the wind."
As it ended up, only six male skiers were given a second run due to the deteriorating conditions, but they managed to put on a show. Highlights include Abbot Smith’s amazingly creative and high stakes line, which featured two massive airs. His aggressive, fluid skiing put him in second place, giving the Telluride athlete a second trophy from Taos. Last year Abbot walked away with the coveted Parillo Loco (sick bird) prize for the most impressive feat. That trophy is now joined by another, and the Telluride athlete was all smiles on the podium as he wrapped up a very successful second visit to Taos.
Other memorable impressions include the catlike agility and aggression of Alaskan athlete Garrett Altmann. Altmann sat in first prior to his second run, fell on his final run of the day, but his amazing recovery allowed him to steal a spot on the podium, and he finished in third.
Bennett, for his part skied well. But it was the failings of the competition that allowed him to win in Taos. With Altmann's fall and another tumble by the amazing French athlete Julian Lopez, the Colorado athlete was able to sneak onto the top of the podium for the win.
The women's field here was the strongest seen in the history of the event, and the ladies did not disappoint. The tandem of Larraine Huber and Karine Falck-Pedersen, both riding for Kastle, skied elegant, fluid lines. But their decision to opt for a slightly less technical approach failed to find favor with the judges. Falck-Pedersen finishing in 5th, with Huber taking 3rd. Gmitro, the unheralded skier out of Arapahoe Basin opted for a highly technical line, requiring precise skiing on her final run. With an aggressive air at the bottom, she was able to move from back in the pack after the first run to finish in the money on the second, taking the event and surprising even herself. McKenna Peterson finished second, with a line that combined elements of fluidity and technical skiing.
For the JR divisions, Michael Gardner took the top honors for the men, with Chysanthe Demas taking the women's field. The young athletes here showed that they are rapidly learning from their elders. One particular highlight was local skier Richard Pyatt's first run, where he stomped a huge cliff after flashing a technical chute in the middle of the venue. Pyatt ended up in second, and he will certainly be an athlete to watch in the future as he continues to develop his skills.
For the riders, it was fast and fluid taking the day. Rotman led the way, winning both runs ahead of Bradley Thompson and Jack Wilson.
The Salomon Extreme Freeriding Championships is of the qualifying events for the Freeride World Tour Qualifing (FWTQ) circuit, which includes a global array of events in locations from Italy (Winter Mystic Xperience Monterosa), France (Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc) and Slovakia (Jasna Adrenalin. By competing in this event, athletes can gain points and become eligible to compete in the Freeride World Tour’s four showcase events: The Nissan Russian Adventure (Sochi, Russia), Nissan Tram Face (Squaw Valley, USA), Nissan Freeride de Tignes (Tignes, France) and Nissan Xtreme (Verbier, Switzerland).
February 25, 2009
FEATURED SPECTATOR PACKAGES
The perfect weekend to visit Taos! TaosSkiTrips.com is offering special ski and stay packages for spectators of the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships. Watch the competition, ski a few runs, listen to some live music and enjoy the evenings at one of the following participating lodges.
The Historic Taos Inn 25% Off Lodging (Town of Taos)
3 Nights of Lodging • 2 Adults in a King Room with Fireplace
2 Day Taos Lift Ticket • Free Passes to Northside Fitness Center • VIP Lift Ticket Check-In
Starting from $373 per person • Book this Trip!
Columbine Inn 20% Off Lodging (Taos Ski Valley)
3 Nights of Lodging • 2 Adults in a Hotel Room
2 Day Taos Lift Ticket • Free Continental Breakfast • VIP Lift Ticket Check-In
Starting from $344 per person • Book this Trip!
Alpine Village Suites 4th Night Free (Taos Ski Valley)
4 Nights Lodging - 2 Adults in a King Suite
3 Day Taos Lift Ticket • VIP Lift Ticket Check-In
Starting from $607 per person • Book this Trip!
Salsa del Salto Bed and Breakfast 4th Night Free (Arroyo Seco)
4 Nights of Lodging • 2 Adults in a King Room
3 Day Taos Lift • Delicious Hot Breakfast Daily • VIP Lift Ticket Check-In
Starting from $425 per person • Book this Trip!
Kandahar Condominiums 4th Night Free (Taos Ski Valley)
4 Nights Lodging • 2 Adults & 4 Children per 2 Bedroom Condo
3 Day Taos Lift Ticket • VIP Lift Ticket Check-In
Starting from $375 per person • Book this Trip!
Call 866-250-7313 to book your stay or visit TaosSkiTrips.com
February 1, 2009
2009 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos On Track To Sell Out!
This year's Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships has seen a record-breaking number of entrants to date and the event is almost sold out. More than 100 skiers and snowboarders are expected to compete in Taos, New Mexico from March 4 – 7. The athletes will be chasing a $12,000 purse as well as the chance to qualify for Freeride World Tour events.
"We're really happy with the registration so far," says Taos' Alejandro Blake. "The inclusion of the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos as a qualifying event for the Freeride World Tour (FWT) has brought out a wide range of competitors, many from Europe and Canada. It's a reflection of the quality of the terrain and competition here at Taos and we’re excited to show the world some authentic New Mexican hospitality."
"This is a natural part of the progression of the event," adds Chief of Race, Tom Winter. "With the inclusion of snowboarding, which is also supported by the FWT, as well as the opportunities that the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships can now provide to the athletes who wish to compete on the World Tour, we've developed an event with global significance. It's really cool and the level of competition should be the best ever."
"Taos has always been one of the top events in big-mountain skiing and snowboarding," adds Taos' Alejandro Blake. "And the Freeride World Tour is the top international tour, featuring the best athletes and venues for this type of competition on the planet. We’re proud to be a part of it."
As a qualifying venue for the FWT, the Taos event will allow athletes to gain points and become eligible to compete in the FWT's four showcase events: The Nissan Russian Adventure (Sochi, Russia), Nissan Tram Face (Squaw Valley, USA), Nissan Freeride de Tignes (Tignes, France) and Nissan Xtreme (Verbier, Switzerland). Taos also joins an elite group of venues, from Italy and Norway to Austria and Slovakia as a FWT Qualifying event.