Aspen, CO – NASTAR, the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world, today announced a new partnership with Aspen Skiing Co. to have Snowmass serve as the host resort for the 2013 and 2014 Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships. Avid skiers from approximately 45 states, ranging in age from three to 90, will converge on the Colorado resort to compete for national titles in various divisions of the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships.
“Snowmass was the first resort to host the NASTAR National Championship when the format of the event changed in 1998 to a large scale public event,” said Bill Madsen, director of NASTAR operations. “We are excited to bring the championships back to Snowmass and the Spider Sabich race area, allowing our participants to enjoy the amazing skiing and amenities that Aspen/Snowmass provides.”
The 2013 event, March 20-24, will celebrate the sport of alpine racing and serve as a reunion for the top recreational racers in the country. Snowmass has planned a full week of activities that includes race clinics, races, free concerts, Warren Miller movie screenings, autograph signings by U.S. Ski Team alumni and NASTAR Pacesetters, competitor raffles/giveaways, awards receptions, a Family Challenge team competition and a Team Race. Participants and their guests will receive discounts on lift tickets and lodging and they will be given a credential that provides deals at on-mountain restaurants and in-town discounts on food and beverages, merchandise and recreational activities.
“The NASTAR National Championships is an outstanding event supported by passionate skiers and riders,” says John Rigney, Aspen Skiing Company’s VP of Sales & Events. “We are excited to show our new guests a tremendous experience in Snowmass”.
To qualify for the 2013 Championships, NASTAR racers must earn a top five resort ranking in their age and ability category by February 18, 2013. Racers will be categorized by age, gender, division and discipline and take two runs on Friday and two runs on Saturday. The best handicap score earned Friday and the best handicap score earned on Saturday will be averaged to determine the competitors’ final results. Each racer that wins a Nature Valley NASTAR National Championship title is invited to compete in the final Race of Champions competition on Sunday. Racers carry their handicap into the race to level the playing field so that young and veteran racers have an opportunity to win and become the overall Nature Valley NASTAR National Champion. In addition, the fastest man and woman, based on raw time, during the Race of Champions will earn a trip to a U.S. Ski Team training camp in South America.