Snowboarding Division added to Salomon New Mexico Extreme Freeride Championships At Taos

02/10/2008 - Event Gives Top Riders A Sneak Preview of Resorts Famed Terrain Long known as a skiers only paradise, Taos announced earlier this season that the resort would be throwing open its doors to snowboarders on March 19, 2008. But some of the worlds best riders now have the chance to get a sneak preview of Taos world-class terrain during the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships. The event, which is the largest skiing competition in New Mexico, has added a snowboarding division. Kicking off over a week prior to the official opening of Taos to single plank riders, the competition runs from March 6 through 8. We are really excited to add a snowboarding division to the event, says Taos Alejandro Blake. Weve been proud to host some of the best skiers in the world here for the New Mexico Extremes and the inclusion of some of snowboardings top big-mountain riders will add an exciting new dimension to the competition. Including snowboarding was a no-brainer, adds Chief of Race Tom Winter. All the big-mountain freeriding events that Ive been involved with in the past have included snowboarding and the camaraderie between the athletes regardless of what tools they choose to compete with has been amazing. We look forward to continuing that stoke here at Taos. Currently event organizers are accepting applications from snowboard athletes to compete this year. While the event is not an invitational as such, were looking for individuals who have prior competition experience and who have done well, says Blake. This is not an entry-level event, adds Winter. The consequences of a mistake on many of the venues are huge and its important that athletes who wish to compete in the Snowboard division during this inaugural year have solid resumes. With a solid base, recent snowfall and some of the best terrain in the business, Taos is once again primed to host one of the most respected stops on the North American big-mountain competition circuit. The addition of snowboarding will no doubt make this event one of the most important big-mountain competitions in the business.