Copper USFO Course

For Immediate Release
 
REGISTRATION SETS RECORD FOR COPPER MOUNTAIN DEBUT OF
JEEP® U.S. FREESKIING OPEN
 
Freeskiing’s top athletes to assist with Open slopestyle course design
 
Boulder, Colo. – December 21, 2006 – Registration for the 2007 Jeep® U.S. Freeskiing Open set new records, filling the men’s superpipe, slopestyle and big air contests in less than 15 minutes after opening at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The U.S. Freeskiing Open, which carries a $60,000 purse, is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary at new host Copper Mountain Jan. 17-21, 2007. The excitement surrounding this year’s competition was further bolstered by the promise of athlete input for the slopestyle contest course design.
 
Following another record-setting registration announcement, U.S. Freeskiing Open organizer Skiing magazine identified four top athletes who will assist in the creation of the overall slopestyle course layout—a first for the event. The athletes include four of freeskiing’s favorite sons: Simon Dumont, Peter Olenick, Jon Olson and T.J. Schiller. For regularly updated information visit www.usfreeskingopen.com or Skiing magazine’s website www.skinet.com
 
“We’re dedicated to making this an epic year for the U.S. Freeskiing Open,” said Skiing Associate Editor Pieter van Noordennen. “With the strong response we’ve had to registration and input from athletes on the design we’re off to a great start.”
 
Copper Mountain’s snowmaking and park crews have been preparing to open Catalyst Terrain Park during the Christmas holiday.  Initial park designs have been created by Copper’s park crew who bring years of terrain park and event hosting experience to the table. From this initial design work, the athletes will tour Copper’s Catalyst Terrain Park to make recommendations, additions and alterations to the overall design of the course.
 
 “We’re setting a new standard for freeskiing events and consulting the athletes on every feature we build and every aspect of the course,” said Copper Mountain General Manager, Gary Rodgers.
 
The Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open is the longest running and premiere freeski event in the world. Ten years ago, the inaugural U.S. Freeskiing Open gathered freeskiing’s biggest hopefuls—there were no big stars yet—for the first slopestyle skiing competition ever.
 
 
The next year, a halfpipe discipline was added to the mix and scores of unknown skiers continued to pour in to lay claim to victory and shape a sport. The Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open has served as a launch pad for countless new school skiers with a past winners list that reads like a who’s who guide to the freeskiing world including: Tanner Hall, J.P. Auclair, T.J. Schiller and Copper’s own Nick Mercon.
 
Today, the Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open is the number one showcase for freeski athletes and a forum for cutting-edge skills and tricks. From Jan. 17-21, 2007, thousands of spectators will witness more than 300 of the world’s top and up-and-coming new school athletes in head-to-head dream-making and dream-breaking competitions across three disciplines: superpipe, slopestyle and big air. The event features one of the largest purses in freeskiing with $60,000 on the line.
 
The 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open is produced by SKIING. Associate sponsors include: Salomon, Copper Mountain Resort, Xbox, Crocs, Vodka14, Corona and Corona.
 
About SKIING
Young, hip and irreverent, Skiing magazine is the ultimate source of inspiration for winter adventure. Skiing readers love to challenge themselves, whether jumping out of helicopter, climbing a peak or just going as fast as the patrol will allow. The magazine of winter adventure, Skiing offers information, advice and fresh perspectives on the lifestyle of young, active skiers. Skiing magazine is published seven times per-year by Mountain Sports Media, the world’s leading snowsports media company, based in Boulder, Colorado.  Mountain Sports Media is a division of Time4™ Media, a subsidiary of Time Inc.
 
About the Jeep brand
The Jeep brand’s 65-year history of legendary capability has made it synonymous with freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. In 2006, the Jeep brand continues to deliver on its promise to provide rugged, versatile, innovative four-wheel drive vehicles with the recently introduced Jeep Wrangler, four-door Jeep Wrangle Unlimited, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot.
 
This expansion of the Jeep brand grows its showroom from three to seven sport-utility vehicles following last year’s introduction of the Jeep Commander. The other two Jeep vehicles are the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty.
 
About Copper
Copper Mountain is just 75 miles from Denver with 2,450 acres of skiable terrain and a village that feels more like a neighborhood. Copper’s guests enjoy steps away lodging, après ski entertainment, naturally divided terrain, exciting events and a welcoming, knowledgeable staff. Begin your Copper experience with the online films and photo galleries at coppercolorado.com.