Magic Hosts Ski the East Freeride Tour

[moguler6]

I don't think that is the case any more, that was the point moguler6 was making. These events started as individual mountain events, but they are now part of an east coast swing of a national freeskiing competition brand. From what I've read these past two years, these events frequently sell out before the day of the event and doing walk up is not feasible for many of these events.

I maybe wouldn't go as far as national brand, but it's definitely gone beyond local mountain. Last week at Mad River you had the UVM, Smuggs, Jay, Mad River, Sugarbush, Magic, and other actual freeskiing teams there. Plus a bunch of skiers from mountains in Quebec, Maine, Whiteface, and even a group from St.Lawrence University. When people drive 4+ hours for this, it's bigger than local mountain. There's also cash prizes and previous winners are now on the Freeskiing World Tour. It's grown in the last 2 years for sure.

 

[jrmagic]

Bummer to hear it is going pro-ish. Well, good for folks that are really into the activity. Hopefully they can get a beer league going for us lesser mortals that would like to participate in these things. I've been thinking about it but it has been a few years since I entered a season in good enough shape that I would feel I'd have my best.

I suspect they'll have it on Red, not Black. They had both roped today and specifically asked people to respect these ropes in the report. Which was probably prudent... two days of both of these trails being hit hard would have stripped them. As it was, one boarder poached it four times in a row and did some decent damage. I was disappointed to see that type of lack of respect at a place like Magic. I'm all for self based risk assessment... but they have an important event on Saturday and there were plenty of other trails...

Any ways, I don't believe coverage was sufficient for Black. It didn't seem like there was a lot of base under the new snow, especially on the steeper trail. Really good dense base building snow but I think Red would be a better option than Black at the moment.

I have mixed feelings on this. I love the attention the tour brings to Magic but I miss the old event. While we have had a homegrown event the last two years, its not the same as the old event which was IMO more fun and had the skiers you ran across every week on the trails and in the woods all together fostering a high level of comraderie. Now that I dont know that many of the competitors I find myself as a casual observer of a few runs and thats it. It must be awesome for the high level folks that are competitive at all four events though. With my injury I wont even be up this week but I hope everyone has a blast.

 

[riverc0il]

I maybe wouldn't go as far as national brand

STEFT is officially sanctioned by the IFSA. I don't know enough about either organization to make more detailed commentary but I would think that an official sanction constitutes national awareness. Even though you probably don't have west coasters traveling east to compete... I would think it certainly raises the bar for competitors as a serious competition rather than just ripping a line for laughs and bragging rights.

 

[orangegondola]

https://vimeo.com/60796018 On a Lighter note

 

[WWF-VT]

FWIW - here's last week's comp at MRG with video

http://www.skitheeast.net/posts/id/1450077178/2013-steft---stop-1-mad-river-glen-results

 

[gmcunni]

here is the comp @ magic

http://www.skitheeast.net/tv/episod...st-freeride-tour-2013-stop-2---magic-mountain