Squaw Valley’s Tram Face has been chosen as the only stop in North America for the 2009 Freeride World Tour, which will also include events in Russia (Sochi), France (Tignes), and Switzerland (Verbier).

Look for Squaw to go off like never before as world class skiers and snowboarders descend upon the awe inspiring Tram Face during the week of February 27th - March 5th.

Squaw Valley’s Tram Face is legendary. Its presence in the valley is powerful: it towers above the village below and is visible as soon as you get on the access road.

Its terrain is steep, tight, and in your face. Although the chutes and cliffs that cover this 1,000 foot wall can be inspected at close range from the Cable Car, they remain permanently closed to the public.

Up until now, descents of Tram Face have existed merely as legend: tales of clandestine glory and defeat passed by word of mouth and evidenced by ghostly tracks that are left at night and gone in days.

Thanks to the 2009 Freeride World Tour Squaw Valley’s Tram Face will finally be skied with the light of day and the eyes of the world shining on it. I can’t wait…

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

The annual Gunbarrel 25 was held at Heavenly Mountain Resort this past Saturday, April 5th. Many of this year’s champions are by no means new to the glory and fame that goes along with a Gunbarrel Title. Janez Demsar, the mens champ, has now won the event 4 years in a row. David Sannazzaro, who won the ironman award by completing 40 laps in the allotted 6 hrs, also won the same award last year.

These aren’t the only multi-title champions to walk away from this year’s event. Andre Villaret, who took the title in the experimental division this year, was the men’s ironman champion in 2005. Meeghan Flaherty won both the women’s division and the ironwoman competition, just as Shanti Koskinen achieved the same feat by taking 1st in the boys’ division and ironkid competitions. Jonathan Hirschfield also turned in a repeat performance by winning the snowboard division for the 2nd straight year.

More complete results can be found below:

Men-Ironman
110 - David Sannazzaro -40 Laps

Men – 17 and up
111 – Janez Demsar– 3.10.15
139 – Tyler Bradford - 3.34.32
149 – Tom Bork – 3.36.20

Girls under 17
11 – Taryn Baker – 4.08.00
40 – Dominique Dabija – 5.48.25
46 – Skye Kidd – 6.05.23

Boys under 17
5 – Shanti Koskinen – 4.02.37
2 – Sage Wright – 4.10.16
52 – Shain Stafford – 4.14.12

Women 17 and up
6 – Amy Czesnowski – 4.20.27
35 – Meeghan Flaherty – 4.24.44
9 – Kimberly Plake – 4.30.25

Iron Women
35 – Meeghan Flaherty – 35 laps

Women Boarder
48 - Jen Menzel – 4.37.08
8 – Kate Sanyer – No time

Men Boarders
51 – Jonathan Hirshfield – 4.31.04
38 – Mark Emmerling – 5.05.30

Experimental
32 – Andre Villaret – 5.00.30

Iron Kid
5- Shanti Koskinen – 37 Laps

_____

Ed Hubbard
April 9th, 2008

Bookmark It

Hide Sites