Mt. Hood, OR (Saturday, January 24, 2004) - nextXsnow is a national search for the best 9 - 13 year old skiers and snowboarders in the country - presented by Sports Illustrated for Kids. Ski areas across the nation are holding local search events, and the winners are being sent to a national finals competition in Keystone, Colorado in April. The event at Mt. Hood Meadows will be held in conjunction with the USASA Jib Contest on February 15, 2004.

The cost of the competition will be $10 for USASA members; or $25 for nonmembers, which includes a USASA membership for the day of the event. Participants may also purchase a USASA season membership for $50 and compete in this event at no extra charge.

Judges will be looking for the top 3 in each category - boys snowboarder, boys skier, girls snowboarder, girls skier. Each of these category winners - based on the day of event judging scores - will receive a Nintendo Game Cube or Game Boy Advanced system. All 12 will be featured on Mt. Hood Meadows nextXsnow search site, where the public will be able to cast votes. The public results will make up 25% of the overall scoring. All 12 will be invited to the Jamaican Jam session on February 22, where the overall winner will be announced.

The winner will receive a free entry into the finals at Keystone, Colorado to include four nights lodging (April 1-5, 2004) for a competitor and a parent, four day's lift tickets for one parent and one child during the finals, and admission for one parent and one child into all activities, parties, and other events that are part of the finals.


16th Annual Oregon Cancer Ski Out

35 five-member teams compete for prizes in a unique and fun two-day ski/snowboard event at Mt. Hood Meadows March 7-8, raising money for hospice, cancer research, education and prevention programs. You don't need to be an expert to participate. All ages and abilities are invited to join in, as the race is formatted to reward consistency, rather than speed. More than $400,000 has been raised for cancer research and hospice programs since the event began.

The goal for the 2004 Oregon Cancer Ski Out (OCSO) is very simple and very easy to achieve. If each person will ask 5 people to donate $25, the event's goal can be met. Each participant is asked to individually raise funds to benefit OCSO causes. 100% of these funds will be directed to hospice, research and education.

For more information, visit www.cancerskiout.org.