Keystone Resort has teamed up with Jack Turner of Snow Monsters, Sports Illustrated for Kids, NBC Sports, Keystone Resort, Burton Snowboards and Nintendo, to find the next generation of extreme snow riders. In recent years, young athletes like Luke Mitrani shattered the age barrier in winter extreme sports by competing along side the best in the world at events like the Vans Triple Crown and landing a spot on the US Snowboard team at the age of 12. Kids across the globe are wowing crowds by throwing tricks that were once the domain of the ultra elite athletes.
“This event is a great opportunity for the industry to come together and support the next generation of extreme snow sports athletes,” said Roger McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer of Keystone and Breckenridge Resorts. “With organizations like Sports Illustrated for Kids and NBC Sports on board, the future of extreme snow sports is looking very bright.”
Next Snow Search is the first all-mountain, all-equipment, snow sports event. It's not just a competition… style, attitude, and personality are also factors. There is only one class: everyone competes together. Boys and girls, skiers and snowboarders and adaptive athletes are included. All contestants must be 9 through 13 years of age (born 1990-94) to compete.
Here is how it works. On April 2-4, 2004, Keystone Resort will host young athletes from over 40 ski areas across the nation for the Next Snow Search finals. The athletes age 9-13 will be selected at Next Snow Search competitions at their local mountains throughout the winter. The young athletes will compete in everything from park and pipe, to bumps, to big mountain skiing. Unlike other snow sports competitions, athletes will be judged not only on their on-snow performance, but on attitude and character as well.
NBC Sports will broadcast the Finals at Keystone Resort on April 11, 2004 at 1pm EST / 11 am MST. The half hour program will showcase the kids who best represent the next generation of “extreme” athletes – the names you'll see in future Olympic games and international competitions. With athletes like Luke Mitrani in the ranks of pro skiers and riders, you may be seeing them already.
