Award-Winning Snow Quality And Terrain Allows Kirkwood To Delivers Tahoe´s Most Exclusive Events And Competitions

Abundant Snowfall, Powder Conditions and Diverse Terrain as Resort Graces October 2007 SKI Magazine Cover

(Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood, Calif.) – All season long winter competitors can count on Kirkwood Mountain Resort http://www.kirkwood.com for its world-class snow and diverse terrain - ideal for signature events and competitions. Kirkwood hosts some of the areas most prestigious competition events including the North American Freeskiing Championships, Kirkwood Cup series and Marmot 6 Summit Peak Pursuit.

SKI Magazine devoted the October 2007 magazine cover to Kirkwood as readers ranked the resort No. 8 for snow quality among all North American resorts. It marks the first time in over 25 years since a Lake Tahoe resort has been on the cover with such prominent exposure. Kirkwood is the only Tahoe resort that has been ranked in the top 10 for its snow quality 18 out of the 20 years SKI Magazine’s Reader’s Poll has existed.

Even in spring, Kirkwood is known to have mid-winter conditions plus some of the best ‘corn’ snow in the Nation. SKI Magazine recognized the resort for having the country’s best ‘corn’ or spring snow (April 2006). 

SIGNATURE EVENTS
North American Freeskiing/Riding Championships
For the last eleven years Kirkwood has been the host of the North American Freeskiing/Riding Championships, which takes place March 31 - April 6, 2008. It is the biggest event each year with the best venue, Devil’s Corral, to watch the top world class athletes try and tackle the infamous Cirque, including Kirkwood Freeride Team athlete Craig Garbiel, who has won the event here before and finished third overall last season.

Kirkwood Cup Series
Back again for the second season due to athlete demand, the Kirkwood Cup has grown from three events to seven events – including rail jam, giant slalom race, skier/boarder X course, halfpipe, slopestyle, all mountain freeskiing competition and banked slalom. It will take place Dec. 30 – March 30 and is designed for all ages. Athletes will accumulate points from event to event and Kirkwood will crown overall winners during the last event on March 30 at Kirkwood Jammin’ XV.

Marmot 6 Summit Peak Pursuit
The Marmot 6 Summit Peak Pursuit is a randonee rally race, part of the U.S. Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA) series, where athletes ascend and descend the six peaks that makes up Kirkwood Mountain Resort. The peaks these athletes will be "bagging" are Martin Point, Glove Rock, Thimble Peak, Covered Wagon Peak, Vista and Red Cliffs. The race will have two classes, a race class and a recreational class. Visit www.ussma.org for registration and information.

Kirkwood Jammin’
The 15th annual Kirkwood Jammin’ consists of a weekend of events on March 29 - 30 and provides fun for the whole family ranging from pond skimming to the final event of the Kirkwood Cup, where the overall champions will be crowned.

Special Olympics
March 10 - 13, the Northern California Special Olympic Games will return where athletes compete in four different events, including Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Snowboarding and Snowshoeing. Last year over 200 brave athletes competed in the various events.

CELEBRATION EVENTS
New Year’s Eve Torchlight & Fireworks Display
Ring in the New Year Dec. 31 with Kirkwood as volunteers can be a part of the torchlight by holding flares and skiing down Zachary’s trail on Chair 6. Once the flares reach the bottom a fireworks display will light up the sky. Drink specials and live entertainment will be a part of the celebration.

Kirkwood’s 35th Anniversary Celebration
The resort will celebrate its momentous birthday with Subaru Master the Mountain Jan. 5 - 6, 2008. It begins with the Marmot 6 Summit Peak Pursuit, a randonee race ascending and descending the six peaks that punctuate Kirkwood. A special editor’s cut of the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival with guest speakers, from Marmot, Tommy and Beth Caldwell, arguably the best mountain climbers in the world, sharing their stories from their travels all over the world.

For more information on events and competitions throughout the season, check out Events at Kirkwood.

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Celebrating its 35th season, Kirkwood Mountain Resort is becoming one of the nation's top year-round family destination lifestyle resorts. Located only 177 miles from the Bay Area along scenic Highway 88, its base elevation of 7,800-feet, assures skiers more annual snowfall than any other Tahoe resort. An extensive master plan is being finalized to ensure its famous uncrowded retreat appeal. Kirkwood is recognized by winter purists and national media alike for its quality snow and terrain variety: it was ranked No. 12 in the country by Skiing Magazine (November 2006), leading South Tahoe resorts. Readers of Silicon Valley's The Wave Magazine selected Kirkwood as Resort of Choice for Winter 2008. Known for its pristine beauty and action-packed expeditions and events, winter fun includes skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sled dog tours, and ice skating. An ideal location for weddings and corporate meetings, the Kirkwood Village includes boutique shopping, live music and dining. Visit www.kirkwood.com. For slope-side home options, visit The Palisades or Expedition Lodge, the area's first on-mountain private residence club, breaking ground October 2007. Call Kirkwood Mountain Realty 888.593.7767 for more information.