Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Snowbird hosts International Pro Riders Workshop




Everyone makes mistakes. Even professional winter athletes.

Teton Gravity Research is hosting the International Pro Riders Workshop this week at Snowbird Ski Resort.

“This is a safety course for the best of the best,” said Bob Bonar, the resort’s general manager. “The backcountry is incredibly dangerous. This course is designed to help educate the world’s best skiers and snowboarders so they have the knowledge and confidence in any situation.”

Teton Gravity Research is an action sports company, producing more than 28 award-winning films, showcasing some of the world’s best winter sports athletes.

The workshop started Monday and will conclude Thursday.

Fourteen professional skiers and snowboarders including Daron Rahlves, a former Olympian and now ski film star, are in attendance.

Representatives from Teton Gravity Research are working with Snowbird’s Ski Patrol for the event.

“It’s a hell of an experience to host some of the greatest skiers on the planet,” said Peter Schory, the resort’s winter operations director. “Bringing people of this caliber in the industry to Snowbird makes us want to present the best to them.”

During the four-day workshop, industry leading safety members will give classroom presentations on avalanches, medical awareness, avalanche beacons and snowpack analysis.

The course will also spend time each of the four days outside. Outside course drills will include rope-rigging techniques, an avalanche burial simulation and helicopter awareness.

This is the second consecutive year that the International Pro Riders Workshop is taking place at Snowbird.

“Snowbird offers a lot of diversity, said Dave Fields, the vice-president of operations and the resort’s marketing director. “Our guests can be in a hotel room one minute and then on some very challenging terrain within moments.”

Snowbird is located conveniently 40 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport, making it easy for guest to arrive.

“That is one of the best things about Snowbird,” Bonar said. “Anyone can get here in a day of traveling from anywhere in the United States.”

The International Pro Riders Workshop will end Thursday will an overview of the four-day course. 

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