Snowshoe, WV – As part of Snowshoe Mountain’s 40th Anniversary winter season, the West Virginia ski resort has announced the return of the once-popular 24 Hours of Snowshoe event, an overnight endurance ski and snowboard race last hosted at the mountain in 2003.
This year’s event, co-presented with GoPro, Coca-Cola and the Pocahontas CVB, will be held January 11-12, 2014 on the lighted Silver Creek slopes at Snowshoe. Teams of two to four people will compete for the most laps – down the hill and back up the chairlift – in a 24-hour period. Snowshoe will set aside three trails for the non-stop skiing/riding event. There will also be a special category added this year for college teams.
“We’re often lobbied by guests and locals to consider bringing this event back,” said Dave Dekema, resort marketing director. “As we dug out old photos and video during the build-up to our 40th winter, it was clear to us why this event holds special memories for so many. It’s a unique and memorable test of team strategy and endurance. For bragging rights as well as for the awards and party at the conclusion. We’re excited to have it back.”
Prizes will be awarded to all categories (two-person, four-person and College Teams), as well as those for Best Costumes and Best Team Energy. The College Team that wins will receive the “hero prize”: half-priced 2014-2015 season passes for their entire campus, plus a Ballhooter Festival VIP Experience during Spring Break at Snowshoe, March 8-10, 2014. The 4-Person Team winners will each win a Snowshoe Mountain season pass for the next 40 years. The 2-Person Team winner will receive an all-expense paid ski and snowboard trip to Steamboat Springs, Colo. Other prizes include GoPro cameras and gear, ski and snowboard gear and logo wear.
The event kicks off on the evening of Friday, January 10 with live rock/reggae band performance by Passafire. The 24 Hours of Snowshoe will start at 10 a.m., January 11. DJ Judd will spin jams throughout the entire race. Pre-registration is available on www.Skireg.com. Discounts are available for early registration before January 9, 2013. Participants do need to register and pay for their lift ticket. The event is free to watch for all spectators.
All proceeds raised from the event will benefit The Snowshoe Foundation, which is dedicated to the financial support of local community organizations whose activities provide benefit to the people of Pocahontas, Randolph and Webster Counties of West Virginia.