Squaw Valley will host a freeride Red Bull Raid event the weekend of April 3-4.
Red Bull Raid is the only freeride event in the United States that blends the endurance aspect of competitive uphill ski mountaineering with the technical, progressive style of big-mountain riding.
The tour returns to Squaw Valley, featuring a newly introduced weather window over the two days to optimize conditions and travel needs for athletes. With 75 of the finest backcountry enthusiasts and all-mountain athletes from across the country, the event looks to again push progression at the intersection of man-powered ski travel and big-mountain freeriding.
After a successful first year of big-mountain events, Raid is back and the officials say it’s bigger and better in 2020, expanding its competitor field from 60 to 75 and increasing the event window to two days.
The longer event window helps better the chance of perfect conditions for a field that includes icons such as Red Bull athlete JT Holmes and many local and visiting male and female rippers showcasing their abilities.
The two heats in the event will consist of two portions: A timed uphill race and a technically judged big-mountain freeriding contest. Each heat can be awarded a maximum of 200 points – 100 for the timed uphill race and 100 for the downhill portion of the event.
After the first heat, there will be a cut to the competition field and the remaining contestants will repeat the same process until first through third place winners are announced in four categories – men’s and women’s ski and men’s and women’s splitboard.
Winners will take home cash prizes as well as new skis and splitboards. The event will finish with an awards ceremony and après celebration on the KT Base Bar.
Participant registration opens shortly at https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/red-bull-raid-2020. All participants must register online. Registration is $50.
Event day:
7:45 am – Athletes meet at the Tram
8 am – Tram departs
8:1 5am – Visual course inspection
9:15 am – Heat 1 starts climb
10:15 am – Heat 2 starts climb
12:15pm – Finalists are announced
12:30pm – Finalists start climb
3 pm – Finalists finish
4:30 pm – Awards and Après at the KT Base Bar
