Lynchburg, VA – Snowshoe Mountain will launch the winter season not on its own West Virginia ski slopes, but on the plastic slopes of Liberty University’s year-round ski facility in Lynchburg.

Liberty University’s Lynchburg campus is home to the only Snowflex surface in the United States, providing skiers and rider’s the most advanced technology for year-round skiing and snowboarding. This Friday’s Snowshoe Open at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre will offer the region’s skiers and rider the opportunity to hone their skills, before the slopes open atop Snowshoe.

The Snowshoe Open will feature a rail jam and big air competition, along with prizes and entertainment. The Snowflex Centre features several boxes and two kickers, as well as quarter pipe.

The fun will begin at noon on Friday and will continue throughout the night. Skiers and riders will show off their best tricks during an open afternoon jam session. Competition finalists for both Big Air and Rail Jam will be chosen by a panel of select judges.

Beginning at 10:30 p.m., finalists will showcase their best tricks in the event finals, with prizes and bragging rights up for grabs.

Event entry is free with the purchase of a Liberty University Snowflex Centre lift ticket. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Snowflex facility. The facility will be closed to the public beginning at 10 p.m. on the day of the event, which will be filmed by Fuel TV for their College Tour 2010.