By Emily Stifler Explorebigsky.com Managing Editor
The Subaru Freeskiing World Tour qualifier this weekend brought 100 of the country’s best skiers to Moonlight Basin, humbled them on the ridge hike, and let them loose on the Headwaters. The event drew crowds, and broke new ground for skiing in the in-bounds, big mountain terrain on the north side of Lone Mountain.
The competitors came from ski towns across North America, and most had never been to Moonlight. They skied aggressively through steep, intense and sometimes rocky chutes, some picking their way down lines that had never before been skied.
“It’s a really exciting new venue,” said Sonja Lercher, a skier from Whistler, B.C. who has competed on the tour since 2007. “There are lines in there for everyone–fast, fluid and technical.”
“To see the Headwaters really get shredded, that’s awesome,” said local skier and competitor Pat Gannon.
Event organizers expressed gratitude toward the welcoming local community, and interest in returning again soon.
“I loved every minute of it,” said Nathaniel “Pouch” Gauthier, FWT operations manager. “It’s a perfect venue–the amphitheater with the natural finish line–it’s completely set up for it.”
Pouch also noted how excited Moonlight employees and locals were to host the FWT. “I’d like to think we’ll be back for another comp soon.”
To see a photo gallery, visit Explorebigsky’s Facebook page at facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.355070811198746.79503.178979428807886&type=1
