Cliff-huckers and watchers of cliff-hucking, rejoice. The 2010 Colorado Freeride Championships are scheduled to hit Snowmass February 26-28. Over 100 competitors, both men and women, skiers and snowboarders, ski fast, take chances and fly over those plentiful jumps on both the Hanging Valley Wall and Burnside Cliffs. Excellent spectating and high-sports action, guaranteed. http://www.aspensnowmass.com for details.
There’s no place like Snowmass on Mardi Gras. Bourbon Street is a lot dirtier, for one; and where else can you ski fresh powder and celebrate with a plethora of beads and beer specials, into the night and right off the slopes? Only in Snowmass. And the good thing about being in Snowmass for Fat Tuesday is that the celebration never seems to end. Over 10 inches of new snow in the last 48 hours means plenty of it left to plunder at Snowmass, all week long. Next up, Big Air Friday. For complete apres and ski day highlights, www.snowmassvillage.com.
The Owl Creek Chase is a USSA sanctioned race, part of the Super Tour NorAm series and the North American Cup Marathon Series. And it’s coming to Aspen and Snowmass, on February 12. It’s a 21k Freestyle Cross-Country Race, from the Snowmass cross-country center to the Aspen cross-country center.
Racers can enter the Elite Division, or the Citizens Division, finding their personal best amidst Olympic level skiing. It’s an excellent mid-winter challenge, right here across some of the valley’s most scenic nordic trails. For more info, 970-429-2093. 
