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The ultimate ski challenge comes to Heavenly this weekend, as Glen
Plake's Gunbarrel 25 makes its way to the resort on April 02.
25 laps on North America's toughest bump run
Heavenly's legendary freestyle skier, Glen Plake, will host
the second annual Gunbarrel 25, an event in which skiers and riders
challenge each other to see who can complete 25 laps on North America's
toughest black-diamond bump run - Gunbarrel.
Incorporating Plake's passion for freestyle skiing
with Heavenly's legendary spring bumps, the event is designed for
all types of skiers and riders, including competitive athletes,
local "Face Rats", and even the weekend bump skier.
My favourite event of the year...
"This is my favourite event of the whole year," says Plake.
"Last year, we had almost a hundred participants…including
my seven year old niece who completed all 25 runs along with my
dad…her grandfather."
As one of the most recognizable skiers in the world, Plake began
skiing Heavenly in 1968 as a member of the resort's Blue Angels
race team. At the same time, Heavenly became the epicentre for a
new sport called "hotdogging"… now known as freestyle
skiing.
Founder of freestyle skiing
Thanks to endless runs on the resort's famous Gunbarrel, he blossomed
into a nationally recognized mogul skier and was invited to join
the US Ski Team in 1985. However, due to a lack of funding, his
Olympic dreams were never realized. Plake instead moved onto to
'extreme' skiing, ended up featuring in the all time classic movie
'Blizzard of Aahhs' and has since become an international ski icon.
Participants of the Gunbarrel 25 will have the opportunity to ski
with Plake, as well as compete for the first-place prize. The top
male and female to complete 25 laps within the given timeframe will
have their names engraved on the trophy. All participants completing
25 runs receive a commemorative pin designed by Glen himself.
For more details, log on to www.skiheavenly.com
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