Sun Valley is slated as one of the resorts for the 2007 Ski Tour that will feature some of the world's top halfpipe and skiercross skiers competing for $500,000 in prize money.
The resort will be the first stop on a four-resort tour that also includes Breckenridge, Colo., Aspen/Snowmass, Colo. and Squaw Valley, Calif.
In addition to skiing, a concert venue will bring top music acts to the resorts. All four events will be nationally televised.
The tour kicks off in Sun Valley Jan. 11-14. Next is Breckenridge Feb. 1-4, followed by Aspen Snowmass Feb. 22-25. Last stop is Squaw Valley March 8-11.
According to event organizers, The Ski Tour will feature an international field of world-class athletes, each having the opportunity to win the single largest payout in the sport—$125,000 each weekend. Athletes confirmed for the tour include Olympians Daron Rahlves, Eric Schlopy and Reggie Crist, and X Games medallists Tanner Hall, C.R. Johnson, Simon Dumont and Zach Christ.
"In recent years the sport of skiing has undergone radical change and progression," said Zach Christ. "Skiing is back on the map and I feel it is at its best. With the creation of The Ski Tour we now have a chance to showcase the reinvention of skiing to the masses."
The BaseCamp Music Experience, presented in conjunction with the tour, will be the focal point of off-hill entertainment at each of the tour stops. BaseCamp will feature more than 30 bands and DJs, Including Michael Franti & Spearhead, Blackalicious, Hinder, Donovan Frankenreiter, The Wailers, DJ Logic, DJ Jillian Ann, Swollen Members and Kamphire Collective.
Other events at the stops include street party bonfires, the Limelight Film Festival, rail jams, VIP and athlete parties, local bar parties, pro photo shootout parties, teen rock and roll parties and fashion shows.
"Our goal with The Ski Tour is to broaden the market of people interested in skiing competition," said tour co-founder Kipp Nelson. "But the way to do that is to not just focus on the competition. We're going to take the entire ski experience—from the first chair to late-night entertainment—and turbo charge it into a three-day cultural experience for everyone who loves the mountain lifestyle."
The Ski Tour was founded in 2005 by Nelson and Steve Brown.
A tour press release describes Sun Valley as follows:
"There can only be one original. And since 1936 Sun Valley, Idaho has held that distinction. Born out of a desire to bring the magic of the European ski resorts to America, Sun Valley quickly became a phenomenon without peer on this continent or any other."
For more information, visit www.theskitour.com.
