Olympic Valley, CA – From April 16th through 18th, Squaw Valley USA is hosting the first ever U.S. Professional Ski Patrol Olympics. While several regions have hosted patrol contests in previous years, never before have ski patrollers from across the continent united for one epic competition.nIn honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympic Winter Games, the Lake Tahoe-area ski and snowboard resort has invited patrollers from the East Coast, Rockies, Sierra Nevada and the Pacific Northwest to partake in this inaugural event. Several international patrol teams have also been invited to attend.

The competition will host an array of events from sled races and beacon competitions to simulated bomb throws. Registration costs $89 per patroller, and includes a two-day lift ticket to Squaw Valley USA, two mid-mountain on-snow BBQ lunches and admission to the Sunday night Awards Ceremony with live music. Discounted lodging is available for patrollers and spectators through Squaw Valley Central Reservations at (800) 545-5585.

The weekend kicks off Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. with the Registration Party at Squaw Valley’s Cornice Cantina. Patrollers will check in, sign up for each event and then help themselves to some PBR while hanging out with the coolest ski patrollers from around the country.

Saturday morning, the competitions get going with a randonée race followed by a beacon competition and a giant slalom race down The Slot. In the afternoon, the competitions will break for an on-snow BBQ in the Cornice II Bowl. Squaw Valley’s food and beverage team will be grilling up patties as patrol teams relax in the on-mountain snow lounge. The day’s events wrap up at 5 p.m. with awards and after-party at Squaw Valley’s Cornice Cantina.

On Sunday morning the competition continues with a Sled Race, Bamboo Throw and simulated Bomb Throw. Patrollers will again enjoy a mid-mountain lunch on the snow, feasting on burgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches. The weekend concludes at Cornice Cantina an awards ceremony featuring music and prizes.

For more information about the Professional Ski Patrol Olympics, contact Squaw Valley Ski Patrol at (530) 452-7124 or by email at eknudson(at)squaw.com.