Press Releases

For Immediate Release:
Contact:           Todd Walton
                        Communications Director
                        twalton@cbmr.com
                        970-349-2303
 
CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT HOSTS FULL IMMERSION TELEMARK WEEKEND
13th Annual U.S. Freesking Telemark Championships, 35th Annual Al Johnson Uphill / Downhill Telemark Race

Crested Butte, CO, March 19, 2009 – Crested Butte Mountain Resort is ramping up once again for an explosive telemark skiing extravaganza.  From Thursday, March 19th through Sunday, March 22, the hill will be hopping with the 13th Annual U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Telemark Championships and the 35th Annual Al Johnson Uphill / Downhill Telemark Race.

Nationally known as the rebirth site of the telemark turn in the 1970’s, CBMR has always embraced its emphatic and somewhat eccentric telemark population.  When other resorts were outlawing three-pinners, CBMR welcomed them with opening one of the first telemark instructional schools, allowing free heelers to ascend the Extreme Limits before there was lift access, and offering guided tours on the famed North Face and Headwall. 

The passion of the telemark turn is still as vibrant and vivacious today as it was then.  Over 100 of the best telemark skiers in the country will begin descending on Crested Butte for the 13th Annual U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Telemark Championships on Thursday, March 19th.  Friday, March 20th the competition runs from 9:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Saturday, March 21st the competition runs from 9:15 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Venue announcements for the Extremes can be found on the announcement boards at the base of each lift.

The famed Extreme Limits are ready, packed with a seasonal snowfall of 268 inches to support two full days of fierce competition.  Divisions of Juniors, Men, Women and Masters will skillfully negotiate slopes up to 55-degrees, choked with the technical cliffs and chutes that are the Extreme Limits trademark.  Judges evaluate the athletes on five categories: degree of difficulty of line choice, control, fluidity, form and technique, and aggressiveness.  If a telemark competitor is not dropping a knee, however, points will be deducted in the technique category.

Everyone is invited to the After Party at Mountaineer Square on Saturday, March 21st at 7:30 p.m.  A $15 entry fee lets you dance the night away to the soulful, upbeat sounds of Tea Leaf Green.  This event is also a fundraiser for the Red Lady Coalition, working to keep local Mt. Emmons molybdenum mine free.
When the Championships close on Saturday, the 35th Annual Al Johnson Uphill / Downhill Telemark Race will begin on Sunday, March 22nd at high noon.  Race start begins at the bottom of the North Face Lift and ends on the East River Lift’s Black Eagle. 

Anyone who can make it down the Last Steep is encouraged to participate in this quintessential Crested Butte event.  Competitors climb a grueling 600 feet to plunge 1,200 down through the Extreme Limits.  The only requirement is that they finish with all of their gear, even if broken. Reputed as the longest running telemark ski race in the country, the AJ is rife with stiff competition amongst locals for a year’s worth of bragging rights.  As valuable as the best time, however, is the best costume award.  This is where the creativity of Crested Butte emerges full force, with a free heel brigade boasting costumes from the solar system to Sesame Street characters. 

You don’t have to be an extreme skier or costume fanatic to participate in the weekend’s events.  Spectators are encouraged throughout the weekend.   Armed with cowbells, bullhorns and loads of enthusiasm, the Crested Butte crowds can’t be beat.  Both spectator areas can be negotiated by a blue (intermediate) run. 
So grab a cowbell, take a clinic, rent some gear and dance to music to keep Mt. Emmons free.  Throw in a costume, watch some extreme skiing.  This is a full immersion weekend into the culture of telemark skiing, live from the place where it all began.

For more information on the 13th Annual Extreme Freeskiing Telemark Championships visit the “Adventure Scene” at www.skicb.com or call (970) 349-2217.   For information on the 35th Annual Al Johnson Uphill / Downhill Telemark Race visit www.aljohnsonrace.com or call (970) 349-5210.   For information on telemark ski rentals call (970) 349-2240 and for telemark clinics call (970) 349-2252.

EXTREME FREESKIING EVENT SPONSORS: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Gore-Tex, Subaru, Coors Light, Coca Cola, Thorlo, American Express, Black Diamond, Tough Guy Productions, Republic National Distributing Company

AL JOHNSON UPHILL / DOWNHILL SPONSORS: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, New Belgium Brewing, The Alpineer, Crested Butte News, Crested Butte Printing & Publishing, Rossignol, K2, G3, The North Face, pistil

Crested Butte has been named as Skiing Magazine’s #1 Best Steeps, #8 Best Trees, #10 Best Powder, and Outside Magazine’s Top Places To Live Now, Sunset Magazine’s # 3 Top Dream Towns, SKI Magazine’s #20 Readers Survey Top Resort, and SkiNet’s # 3 Top Ski Town. Crested Butte was also named one of America’s Best Small Ski Towns by Travel + Leisure Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler’s #13 Reader’s Poll Top Resort.
For more information about Crested Butte's lodging, conference, meeting facilities, and special packages, call Crested Butte Vacations, (800) 600-2803 or visit the web site at www.skicb.com.  For information on ski area real estate opportunities call (970) 349-4999 or (877) 805-6109 or visit the website at www.cbliving.com.

Press copy provided by Molly Murfee.  By-line requested for public postings and printings.  Molly’s email is mmurfee.aei@usa.net
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