*All Photos Courtesy of Sugar Bowl Resort
Buckle up! The legendary Silver Belt Classic returns to Sugar Bowl Resort, but this year, it’s ditching the rulebook and embracing a whole new era of skiing. From March 29th to 31st, 2024, get ready for a three-day extravaganza that throws out the traditional and throws down the gauntlet for pure skiing innovation. Witness exceptional skill on display as athletes redefine what it means to push the boundaries of freeride competition. This isn’t your grandpa’s Silver Belt – it’s a whole new breed of skiing spectacle.
The Silver Belt: A Rich History, Reimagined
Since 1940, the Silver Belt Classic has been a magnet for the world’s best skiers. Olympians, World Cup champions and fearless adventurers have all battled it out on the challenging terrain of Sugar Bowl’s natural gullies and chutes. This year, the legendary competition returns with a fresh new perspective designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible in freeride skiing.
“The Silver Belt is not just a competition. We’re redefining it as a celebration of innovation, skill, and progression,” said Bridget Legnavsky, Sugar Bowl Resort president and CEO.
Athlete-Judged, Film-Based Competition with a Twist
Fifty top skiers will be invited to participate in this unique athlete-judged event. The competition will be filmed and will consist of two distinct parts:
- Day 1: Freeride Session: Athletes will showcase their skills by tackling the entirety of the natural terrain within the Silver Belt Gully.
- Days 2 & 3: ShapeShifter – A Revolutionary Concept: Here’s where things get exciting! This brand new element challenges athletes to identify natural features like cliffs, spines, and hips. They’ll then transform these features by shoveling and shaping them into entirely new terrain obstacles. Once their creative sculpting is complete, the competition resumes, with the cameras capturing their runs on this freshly molded canvas.
“We’ve designed this new format to highlight the creativity and athleticism of these competitors, and we are ready to host the action said, Mike Jankowski, Sugar Bowl Resort’s executive director of sport.”
The ultimate goal? To push the limits of freeride skiing and impress their fellow competitors. The athlete who receives the most recognition from their peers will be crowned the Silver Belt champion and take home the top prize!
More Than Just a Competition: A Celebration for All
The Silver Belt isn’t just about crowning a champion. It’s about celebrating the spirit of innovation, exceptional skill, and the constant evolution of freeride skiing.
Bridget Legnavsky, President and CEO of Sugar Bowl Resort, emphasizes this point: “The Silver Belt is more than a competition; it’s a celebration. We’re confident that this new format, coupled with the legendary terrain, will inspire a new level of freeride performance, just like the Silver Belt Classic did 80 years ago.”
The Silver Belt Awaits: Calling All Spectators and Aspiring Competitors!
Whether you’re a die-hard ski fan or simply looking for a fun-filled weekend, Sugar Bowl welcomes spectators throughout the Silver Belt. Come witness history in the making, enjoy live music, giveaways, gear demos and more!
Athletes interested in competing for a coveted wild card spot can apply online at sugarbowl.com/silverbelt. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this groundbreaking competition!
About the Author
Rich Stoner is the founder of the après-ski lifestyle clothing and media brand, All About Après. He is also the co-host of the Beyond the Après podcast. No stranger to the ski and après-ski scene, Rich has been a long time contributor for many publications on topics like skiing, gear, beer and food. However, his passion is on the slopes and enjoying good times with good people. You can find him perfecting his craft carving turns and drinking beers in the Green Mountains of Vermont. @allaboutapres