KUSA - Red Bull Cold Rush, a peer-judged, three-day backcountry freeskiing competition, returns in March to Silverton Mountain. We previewed the event with top skiers Grete Eliassen and Sean Pettit on 9NEWS 6 a.m.
For the second year in a row, 17 men and 5 women will compete in the Big Mountain, Slopestyle and Cliffs disciplines to determine the best all-around backcountry skier.
This year the Big Mountain venue is held on Silverton Mountain's north-facing Storm Peak, the highest ski area in North America at 13,487 feet. The aptly-named peak snares snow from passing storms, filling in the steep, rocky chutes and couloirs. The Grande and Pequeño chutes where the discipline is held are so steep that they do not see any sunshine until March, keeping the snow cold and light.
The Cliffs venue returns to Silverton Mountain's famous Zone 7 - a beautiful alpine cirque with 13,500-foot peaks that funnel into a freeskier's paradise stacked with cliffs up to 70 feet in height in every direction. The cliff zone is located lower down on the mountain, keeping the snow sheltered and fresh. The landing zones are wide open, allowing the competitors to throw down their biggest tricks with fewer consequences than that of the Big Mountain arena.
Fans can tune in March 24 to Red Bull Cold Rush airing nationally on NBC at 11 a.m. on Channel 9.
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