It's take two for the Red Bull Cold Rush at Revelstoke Mountain Resort next week.
After being postponed then canceled in 2015, Red Bull is giving their signature freeskiing event another go at RMR from February 2–5.
The four day event will feature 21 skiers competing in four different freeskiing competitions that will determine who is the best all around skier. Here's four things you should know to get you started.
1. What are the events?
There are four competitions taking place over three days. On Tuesday, Feb. 2, skiers take part in the big mountain skiing competition. Skiers will have a start and an end point and it's up to them what they do in between. They'll be judged on speed, fluidity, style and difficulty. Day two features the cliff hucking event, where competitors will be judged on airtime, difficulty and style in the air. The final day is the the backcountry slopestyle and the alpine touring. The first will see competitors hit up a course filled with man-made jumps and features. The second is a race up and down the mountain.
2. Who's taking part?
Sixteen men and five women were invited, including many of the world's top freeskiers. The athlete list features Mike Hentiuk, Dave Treadway, Sean Pettit, Dane Tudor, Sammy Carlson, Alexi Godbout, Callum Pettit, Kye Petersen, Riley Leboe, Wiley Miller, Colston VB, Greg Hope, Johnny Collinson, Stan Rey, Joe Schuster, Josh Bibby, Tatum Monod, Michelle Parker, Angel Collison, Lexi Dupont and Suz Graham. Tudor is the closest there is to a local. The Rossland, B.C., native now calls Revelstoke home; he also happens to be the defending champion. "I don't think there's anything I need to do to win," he wrote in an e-mail. "Just have fun riding the terrain that's presented in the venues and if my peers like my style of skiing then that's great!"
The team works on building the jumps for the slopestyle course in Montana Bowl. ~ Photo by Bryan Ralph/Red Bull
3. How can I watch?
The big mountain competition will take place on the face known locally as Spilt Milk. You'll be able to watch from the bottom of Greeley Bowl. The slopestyle and ski touring will take place in Montana Bowl, outside the ski resort boundary. You'll be able to watch it from South Bowl with a good pair of binoculars, or you can head out of bounds to get closer to the action — just make sure you're prepared with avalanche gear. The cliff hucking event is taking place deep in the resort backcountry and will not be easily accessible to spectators.
4. How do they decide who wins?
There are three awards. The first two – King & Queen of Cold Rush – will be determined by the athletes themselves. On Friday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m., they'll gather at the Roxy to watch their best runs and judge each other. You can watch too — tickets are $25 and can be purchased at RMR or through the RMR website. The People's Choice Award will be voted on by the public once the runs are posted online on Feb. 8. Fans will have three days to watch the highlights and cast their vote.
5. What else is happening?
There's an after part on Friday, Feb. 5, at the Traverse featuring DJ Invisible. There will also be an opportunity to meet the athletes at the Mackenzie Common Tavern at the resort on Feb. 3–5 at 4 p.m.
Check out the highlights of the 2012 Red Bull Cold Rush in Silverton, Colorado below: