From our good friends at High Fives Foundation.

April 17, 2012 – TRAiNS 2012 was the fifth annual freestyle ski & snowboard contest that the High Fives Foundation has put on in the North Lake Tahoe area. Volkl Skis, Marker Bindings, Alpine Meadows, and Squaw Valley supported this event that brought Nick Goepper, Parker White, Michelle Parker, Danny Toumarkine, Chris Logan and 25 other amazing skiers and snowboarders out to compete. Aside from the action on the hill, TRAiNS is an event that gives back by donating to select charitable organizations.

Custom-made BigTruck Hats, music from the Silver Boombox Thief, Jamie LaValle?s world famous chicken wings, food from the Full Belly deli, and a world-class competition venue produced by Crux Events rounded out an amazing day!

Three teams of ten (skiers and snowboarders) were picked by winners of the Best Male, Best Female and Best 540 (degree rotation) in the first half of the competition. The event?s namesake TRAiNS was on display in the second half as the team competition ensued with each team of ten popping off the six different features in succession.

Charitable Contributions Given $5,000 Total: Three charities (out of five) were chosen by the winning competitors to donate to?

Best Male: Nick Goepper donated $1,000 to the Reeve Irvine Research Center

Best Female: Marta Krusell donated $1,000 to the Shane McConkey Foundation

Best 540: Andy McDowell donated $1,000 to SkiD.U.C.K.

Best TRAiNS Team: Green Team donated $2,000 to the Shane McConkey Foundation

Thanks to vitaminwater, Smith Optics, Start Haus, Sports Basement, Coors Light, GoPro, Powder Magazine, DieCutStickers.com, Discrete Headwear, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Skullcandy, TRX Suspension Training, Arcade Belts, Aelix Clothing, Sports Insurance and the Mountain Forge.

About Alpine Meadows:

Ranked as a top winter resort by SKI Magazine, Alpine Meadows is known for its abundant and varied skiable terrain, family-friendly atmosphere, and innovative children?s ski and snowboard programs. Alpine?s 7 powder bowls, summit-to-base groomed slopes, and authentic hospitality are among the many attributes that have made the resort a favorite of the local community and visitors alike. Alpine Meadows offers skiers and riders access to more than 100 trails across 2,400 skiable acres serviced by 14 lifts. For more information, please see http://www.skialpine.com. 

About the High Fives Foundation:

The High Fives Foundation is a Tahoe-based 501.c.3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for athletes who have suffered a life-altering injury while pursuing their dream in the winter action sports community.

http://www.highfivesfoundation.org