Today marked the first day of competition on the Freeride World Tour. Local Squaw rippers Cody Townsend and Elyse Saugstad are just two of the many skiers and riders competing in Sochi, Russia. The ski resort of Krasnaya-Polyana, location of the event, was described to me by Cody as a hybrid of Japan and Alaska. With over a meter on new snow the comp should be a sick one. Good Luck Guys! For more info on the comp head over to: D-1 for the Nissan Russian Adventure 2009 in Sochi Also check out Freeskier Magazine: Freeride World Tour Kicks Off In Sochi The next stop on the World Tour is right here at good old Squaw Valley USA. Mecca for Big Mountain skiing in the USA, perched atop the Sierra Nevada, the Californian resort of Squaw Valley USA will host the second stop of the Freeride World Tour 2009 on its granite-laden terrain. For the first time in history, the legendary Tram Face will be officially open for pro riders since the resort was opened in 1949. The competition face is clear visible from the resort and the cable car system. Squaw Valley USA, host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, is one of America’s largest and high tech resorts attracting over 600,000 visitors every year. www.tramface.com