Rossland (BC), Canada (Friday, January 17, 2003) - As some of the best freeskiers in the world are rolling into Rossland B.C. to compete in this weekend's Molson Canadian Freeskiing Challenge, fresh snowfall has draped Red Mountain just in time for the event.

"While we have some of the best conditions in western Canada, it's just a normal winter here at Red," says general manager Jim Greene. Earlier snowfalls this week have graced the mountain with over 30cms/12" of new snow to prime conditions for this big mountain event.

Perhaps the most exciting news surrounding this year's Molson Canadian Freeskiing Challenge is the announcement from the International Free Skiers Association (IFSA) made this past Monday, officially sanctioning the event on the North American Tour. As if the C$15,000 in prize money wasn't enough to entice 100 of the best freeskiers from around the world, athletes on the North American tour will now receive North American Tour points, which will affect their overall standing with the IFSA.

This year's athlete list is a veritable "who's who" in the freeskiing world. On hand will be Guerlain Chicherit (2nd place Whistler '03, 3rd place IFSA World Tour '02) Pierre-Yves Leblanc (3rd place at Whistler '03, 2nd place IFSA World Tour '02), and Jen Ashton (3 time defending champion Whistler, 1st place IFSA World Tour '02).

"We are very pleased to host competitors from six different countries including Diasuke Sasaki (9th place Whistler '03, 14th place IFSA World Tour '02) from Japan and Marja Personn (4th place Whistler '03) from Sweden," says Lucie Fortier, Marketing Director for Red Mountain.

The format of the event will follow IFSA Big Mountain Freesking competition guidelines. Athletes will ski the mountain creatively, not restricted by gates or a formal course, selecting natural terrain features, the most aggressive lines, and big drops to impress the judges. Judges will evaluate athletes based on five categories: Line Choice, Control, Fluidity, Technique, and Aggression. Judging the event will be five skiers who know what it takes to win such an event.

"We are very proud to have such a high-caliber panel of judges," says Fortier. This year's judges include Canadian ski writer Michel Beaudry, Pontiac World of skiing co-host Edith Rozsa, local freeskiers Kirsty Exner and Stewart Spooner, and experienced IFSA judge Nigel McKissock.

100 Athletes will begin qualification on Thursday, January 16th vying for one of approximately 50 coveted spots for the main event. Roberts Mountain, located just outside the resort's boundaries, features big lines, cliffs and the Knife Edge to provide competitors with an infinite combination of high adrenaline lines. The main qualifier on Friday, January 17th will ensure only the very best from an already impressive field move on to the final run on Saturday, January 18th.