Developed by SKI Magazine in 1968, NASTAR is the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world. NASTAR provides a fun, competitive and easily accessible racing program that, through the development of a handicap system, allows racers of all ages and abilities a means to compare their race results to other competitors across the country regardless of when and where they race. NASTAR is a key feeder program for the U.S. Ski Team.
Last year set records for participation with 113,000 racers taking part at 121 resorts across the country, accounting for 220,000 racer days and 550,000 race starts. The top resorts saw up to 10,000 race starts, and the mid-west saw a 34% increase in participation alone. Skiers came from all 50 states.
The Nature Valley NASTAR Opens provide the opportunity to see who is the fastest in the region, as well as book a ticket to Nationals. The events are two-day competitions that are open to the public. Racers can participate in the new Mid-West Open, January 9–10, at Crystal Mountain, MI, or the Eastern Open, February 6–7, at Windham Mountain, NY. Overall winners of the NASTAR Opens will receive free entry to the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships in Winter Park, Colo., March 25–28, 2010.
The annual Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships draws up to 1,500 racers each year in all age categories, with approximately 5,000 total individuals attending from all over the country. The four-day event features the races, free outdoor concerts, meet-and-greets with the NASTAR Pacesetters and VIP events.
“With U.S Ski Team icon Daron Rahlves as the zero pacesetter, skiers get excited about seeing how they match up,” said NASTAR Director Bill Madsen. “And especially in this Olympic year, adding recent U.S. team successes, the nation’s focus on ski and snowboard racing is sure to increase. We’re looking forward to great regional and national events to help the general public be a part of it, and crown their champions.”
For more information on how to register for NASTAR or the Open and National events, please visit http://www.nastar.com/.
Opportunities for sponsorship and advertising are available for the annual program throughout the resorts, as well as for the new Open events and National Championships. Please contact Johnny Alamo at 303-253-6413 or Johnny.Alamo@BonnierCorp.com for more information.