Colorado Ski Country Events Will Feature Olympic Qualifiers, Skiing With Former Olympians And Olympic Celebrations
Come February, all eyes will be on the Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. In the months leading up to the Olympics, Colorado Ski Country USA resorts across the state will host Olympic qualifiers and celebrate with Olympic-themed events including races, Olympiads, sendoffs for athletes competing in the games and lessons led by former Olympians.
“Colorado is excited to host these prestigious Olympic qualifying events and support the many athletes who live and train here who will be competing in South Korea,” said Melanie Mills, president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. “Our world-class ski resorts receive consistently great snow, making Colorado the perfect location for Olympic athletes to train and compete or for Olympic obsessed guests to visit during the winter.”
Olympic qualifiers and events at Colorado Ski Country USA resorts this season include:
Olympic Qualifiers
Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain will host the first snowboarding and freeskiing halfpipe events of the 2018 Winter Olympics during the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix. 2018 Olympic hopefuls will compete on Copper’s world-renowned parks and pipes for an opportunity to travel to PyeongChang, South Korea for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Fans and spectators are welcome to cheer on competitors at the following events:
December 6: Halfpipe skiing qualification
December 7: Halfpipe snowboarding qualification
December 8: Halfpipe skiing finals; big air snowboarding qualification
December 9: Halfpipe snowboarding finals
December 10: Big air snowboarding finals
For more information, visit www.coppercolorado.com.
Aspen Snowmass
For the first time in 20 years, Snowmass will be a stop on Olympic hopefuls' road to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Snowmass will host the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix for five skiing and snowboarding qualifing events from January 10-14, 2018 when guests can root for their favorites in the following competitions:
January 10: Halfpipe skiing and slopestyle snowboarding qualification
January 11: Slopestyle skiing and halfpipe snowboarding qualification
January 12: Halfpipe skiing and slopestyle snowboarding finals
January 13: Slopestyle skiing and halfpipe snowboarding finals
January 14: Slopestyle skiing qualification and finals
Aspen will also host the ESPN Winter X Games from January 25-28. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
Olympic Celebration Events
Cooper
Cooper will host two Olympic-themed family-friendly events this season. The Cooper Olympiad on Feb. 10, 2018 and the Lake County Olympics on Feb 20, 2018 will both be fun, laid-back events with fun games and races for everyone to enjoy. For more information, visit www.skicooper.com.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte will host the USSA Dan Prater Memorial CUP, an annual youth ski race that will bring 250 of Colorado’s top 12 and 13-year-old alpine ski racers to Crested Butte. The Prater Cup is an opportunity for athletes hoping to qualify for the Junior Olympic team to sharpen their skills and have fun competing against their peers.
Guests can also ski with Olympian Wendy Fisher at Crested Butte during the 2017-18 season with the Wednesdays with Wendy ski clinic. Wendy leads separate clinics for intermediate and advanced skiers, helping improve skiing skills and style. For more information, visit www.skicb.com.
Loveland
The Loveland Ski Club will host the 2017-18 NorAm Cup ski races on November 17 and 18, 2017. Come watch some of the best ski racers in the world compete for points on the national circuit. For more information, visit www.skiloveland.com.
Steamboat
Steamboat will host a 2018 Olympian send-off on Jan. 27, 2018 to honor athletes headed to the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, in addition to past Steamboat Olympians.
Steamboat guests can join Olympian Billy Kidd, Steamboat's Director of Skiing and 1964 Olympic silver medalist and World Champion, for free pointers and a run down Heavenly Daze. Guests can also participate in a free mogul clinic with Nelson Carmichael, an Olympic bronze medalist and World Cup Mogul Champion. These free events are for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. For more information, visit www.steamboat.com.
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek will host a Winter Olympic Fun Race on February 25, 2018. Skiers and boarders will be able to race for gold, silver and bronze medals in the modified giant slalom race. All ages and ability levels are welcome to participate. For more information, visit www.wolfcreekski.com.
