Revelstoke Mountain Resort will host the Canadian Freeskiing Championships for the next three years, with the first event taking place January 6–10, 2010.

RMR spokesperson Ashley Tait said the announcement last week was the result of months of planning work with competition organizer Mountain Sports International.

“This is huge. We are really excited about this. We’ve been working with Mountain Sports International (MSI) over the last six months,” said Tait. “This is the pre-eminent international series. This is essentially the World Cup of freeskiing, so it is quite a competitive event series.”

The Revelstoke Accommodation Association (RAA) is the first major sponsor to come on board for the new event series and is lending financial and in-kind support.

“The hotel sector in Revelstoke saw tremendous value in coming on as a major sponsor of the Freeskiing World Tour at Revelstoke Mountain Resort,” says Fred Beruschi, Chair of the Revelstoke Accommodation Association. “We recognize the long term benefits the event will bring to local tourism, the town of Revelstoke as well encouraging overnight stays in our Revelstoke hotels. We are thrilled to be a part of this major new event and welcome visitors to come and experience the phenomenal skiing, extensive outdoor recreation options and warm hospitality of our mountain community.”

Tait said MSI representatives toured the resort last November to look at the resort and do site inspections.

The races will take place in the North Bowl, Greely Bowl and Vertigo area of the hill, including separate qualifying and competition areas.

In freeskiing competitions, competitors start at one point and then choose their own path down a steep course often involving natural cliffs and other extreme terrain. They are judged on speed, style, control, technique, line selection and the tricks they perform.

“The really exciting thing about the event itself is the exposure that comes with it. They broadcast live on the Internet,” said Tait. MSI provides the live Internet broadcast using satellite, and the feed is broadcast not only on their own Web site, but it is made available to numerous speciality ski Web sites such as Powder Magazine, Big Lines and many more. She says there is potential for millions of web hits and a live viewership of about 175,000. The company also distributes the competition on several TV broadcasts, which Tait said would garner about 500,000 viewers. A DVD is also produced from the event. “So, Revelstoke’s going to be out there which is something we are really excited about,” she said.

The event is also advertised in traditional and Web-based speciality ski media.

Tait said the early January date is good for the hotel industry since there is typically a small lull after the Christmas season rush. She said they are currently working with hospitality operators to put together packages and also build up other events to coincide with the competition. She expects that more announcements relating to the event with follow soon.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to be hosting this event, to be heading into our third season of operation at RMR and to be approached by such a prestigious international tour is really great recognition not only for the resort, but for everything Revelstoke embraces,” said Tait.