Deer Valley, UT (Friday, January 23, 2004) - Deer Valley Resort is preparing to host the 2004 U.S. Freestyle Grand National, Friday and Saturday, January 30 and 31, 2004.

The World Cup is known as the Mecca for freestyle events. This World Cup marks Deer Valley’s 6th anniversary of hosting freestyle competition, including the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, last year’s 2003 FIS Freestyle World Championships, 1999 Chevy Truck U.S. Freestyle Championships and two World Cups (2000 & 2001). Last season’s World Championships was one of the largest ever held in the history of the sport, from the number of participating athletes and countries, to the number of spectators, number of events and scope of television coverage.

Spectators will witness stunning maneuvers similar to Jonny Moseley’s “dinner roll” in moguls and big multiple twisting and turning airs like those done by Ales Valenta (CZE) when he won the Olympic gold medal in aerials in February 2002. America’s Olympic silver medalists Joe Pack (Park City, UT). Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA) and Travis Mayer (Steamboat Springs, CO) are expected to challenge the reigning world champions Alexi Grichin (BLR), Kari Traa (NOR also the 2002 Olympic gold medalist) and Mikko Ronkainen (FIN).

Moguls commence on Friday, January 30, All mogul events take place on Deer Valley’s Champion ski run. Qualifiers for both men and women take place on Friday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The mogul finals take place Friday afternoon, from 1-1:45 p.m. for women and men. The awards ceremony will immediately following the event in the finish area. Moguls are scored on a combination of speed, turns and lines (making nice round turns and keeping a straight line) and aerials (jumps throughout the course). The top 16 men and the top 16 women from the qualifiers on Friday morning will compete in the finals on Friday afternoon.

On Satuday, January 31, spectators will find both dual moguls and aerials taking place at Deer Valley. Dual mogul qualifiers for both men and women take place 3 - 5:15 p.m, and the dual mogul finals will happen under the lights from 6:30 – 8 p.m. A medals ceremony will be held immediately after the dual moguls event finish at the base of the race course and fireworks will follow.

All aerial events take place on Deer Valley’s White Owl ski run. Qualifiers for both men and women take place from 9-9:40 a.m. on Saturday for the women and from 11-11:55 a.m. for the men. The top 12 men and women will advance to the finals. Aerials finals will take place from 1-1:45 p.m. for both men and women. Aerials are judged on a combination of take-off, air, execution, form and the landing. The score is then multiplied by degree of difficulty, based on the number of rotations and twists they complete. Aerial awards will be held immediately after the competition at the base of the race course.

Admission and bleacher seating for the mogul event on Friday, January 30 is free. Freestyle Feast tickets for the mogul event are $45 and include lunch in the VIP tent, VIP bleacher seating, an event logoed gift and complimentary snowmobile rides to and from the venue. Only 100 Freestyle Feast ticket packages are available for this event. Freestyle Feast tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, January 27, 2004. Friday evening, January 30, the entire town is invited to a celebration on Park City’s lower Main Street starting at 6:30 p.m. “Mardi Gras on Main Street” will feature the band Buckwheat Zydeco along with street entertainment and fireworks. There is no charge to attend the Main Street celebration.

General admission tickets to the aerial events are $8 and bleacher seating is $25. Freestyle Feast tickets to the aerial event cost $55 and include lunch in the VIP tent, VIP bleacher seating, an event logoed gift and complimentary snowmobile rides to and from the venue. Only 100 Freestyle Feast ticket packages are available for this event. Freestyle Feast tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, January 27, 2004.

Saturday night's dual mogul event (the first nighttime dual moguls event in the United States) will be followed by a fireworks display on Champion ski run. Deer Valley’s Snow Park Lodge Restaurant will remain open until 6:30 p.m. on this day to offer spectators cuisine such as the Natural Buffet, pasta, grill items, carved roasts, deli sandwiches, pizzas, enchiladas and fresh baked goods. General admission tickets to the Saturday night dual mogul qualifications and finals are $10 and bleacher seating is $25. Freestyle Feast tickets for the Saturday night are already sold out.