Aspen/Snowmass To Host 2013 / 2014 Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships

NASTAR, the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world, proudly announces a new partnership with Aspen/Snowmass to serve as the host resort for the 2013 and 2014 Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships.

Aspen/Snowmass, COLO., May 30, 2012 - NASTAR, the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world, proudly announced today a new partnership with Aspen/Snowmass to 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 world-class 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. Aspen/Snowmass has planned an exciting 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 great 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.

“We are thrilled to partner with NASTAR and bring the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships to Snowmass,” said Scott Baldwin, Associate Marketing Director for Nature Valley. “Snowmass’ diverse terrain and its reputation as one of the premier family-friendly resorts in North America will provide a perfect setting to celebrate the fun recreational skiing and ski racing experience that has become a hallmark of the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championship event.”