MOUNTAIN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES THE 2010 SUBARU FREESKIING WORLD TOUR

Tour includes two new events, The North Face South American Freeskiing Championships and the Canadian Freeskiing Championships, in Revelstoke, Canada.

Salt Lake City, UT, July 24, 2009 – Mountain Sports International (MSI) announced today the 2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour (FWT) schedule includes two new international events in Chile and Canada with the World Tour finals and Championships at Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort in Utah.

Now in its 12th year, the Subaru FWT is the largest and longest running competitive Big Mountain Freeskiing tour in the history of the sport. The Subaru FWT features over $100,000 in prize money and an unprecedented six stops, including a Freeskiing World Tour Qualifier.

Athlete Registration for South America Only begins August 3, 2009 at 1 PM MST at http://www.freeskiingworldtour.com

“With the addition of two international stops, over $100,000 in prize money, and continuous live coverage, the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour is stronger than ever,” said Mountain Sport International President Adam Comey. “And to honor our good friend and legendary skier Shane McConkey—who founded this sport and the IFSA—the overall World Tour champions will be awarded with the McConkey Cup. This sport was his vision and we intend to keep it thriving for years to come.”

”Sponsoring the Freeskiing World Tour remains a natural fit for Subaru,” notes Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “Subaru owners tend to be adventure seekers and since our vehicles are undaunted by winter weather and snowy mountain passes, these events are a perfect showcase for us.”

The 2010 FWT will kick off in less than six weeks in La Parva, Chile, at The North Face South American Freeskiing Championships, where the world’s best freeskiers will get a unique chance to compete during the summer.

“After 12 years we’re excited to have the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour back to South America,” said La Parva Ski Resort Marketing Director Rodrigo Medina. “We truly believe the La Parva venues will challenge the competitors and the Chilean mountains and people will be a great fit with the other FWT stops.”

Back in North America in January, the tour continues with another new event, the Canadian Freeskiing Championships, at British Columbia’s renowned Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR).

“We are ecstatic to be hosting the Freeskiing World Tour for the next three years and feel this is a significant opportunity for both Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) and our community, said RMR COO Rod Kessler. “Holding this event in Revelstoke underscores our presence in the global ski industry and is recognition by the freeskiing community that RMR is one of the most sought-after resort destinations worldwide.”

The tour marches on to the notorious steeps of Crested Butte, Colorado, and then onto the famed Cirque at Kirkwood, California. Long known as the premiere venue on the Subaru FWT, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort will host the 2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Championships, with the tour leaders battling for top positions in the final runs of the year down the infamous North Baldy.

“I feel like our sport has taken a huge evolutionary jump forward,” said 2009 women's overall Freeskiing World Tour Champion Crystal Wright. “The level of competition from both the men and women has progressed to unexpected new heights. Revelstoke and La Parva are awesome venues and will bring international legitimacy to the tour. And with the live webcasting more people than ever are learning about our sport. This is going to be a big year.”

For a complete schedule of events and to register, please visit http://www.freeskiingworldtour.com

2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour Schedule of Events

September 3-6, 2009 – The North Face South American Freeskiing Championships, La Parva, Chile

January 6-10, 2010 – The Canadian Freeskiing Championships, Revelstoke, Canada

February 2010 – Subaru Freeskiing World Tour Qualifier, Location TBA

February 17-21, 2010 – Subaru US Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte, CO, USA

March 3-7, 2010 – Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships, Kirkwood, CA, USA

March 16-21, 2010 – Subaru Freeskiing World Championships, Snowbird, UT, USA

Sponsors:

Subaru of America

The North Face

Corona

Powder Magazine

Resort Partners:

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Ski La Parva

Revelstoke Mountain Resort