The World Pro Ski Tour will make its official return on March 9-11, 2017, with the Pro Ski Challenge at Sunday River, Maine. The special debut event will feature the professional dual alpine ski race format that had tremendous success in the U.S. from 1970 to 1999. The field will be filled with Olympic, World Cup, and NCAA competitors such as 2012 National GS Champion Robby Kelley, 2015 NorAm Cup Overall Champion Michael Ankeny, and 2016 National GS Champion Kieffer Christianson. The Pro Ski Challenge will air March 19 on CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, which is available nationally. The Sunday River event will kickstart a more extensive schedule in the 2017-18 season in premier ski resorts all across the country.

“We are thrilled to bring the professional skiing model back to the United States. The ski industry is growing rapidly and the success of American ski racers has fueled that growth. We are committed to this enterprise to provide high quality events for skiers and ski racing fans alike,” said Ed Rogers, president of the World Pro Ski Tour. “Our main goal is to stimulate the ski industry by providing young racers an opportunity to experience financial success in order to pursue their dreams.”

Known as a world-class venue for ski, snowboard, and other special events, Sunday River will host the race in their Monday Mourning Race Arena on Barker Mountain. The race site provides excellent viewing angles for spectators on snow and foot as it is located just in front of the Barker Lodge and the parking lot close by. The resort is located in an advantageous location that is accessible from Boston, Mass.; Portland, Maine; New Hampshire; Vermont; and Québec, Canada.

“I grew up watching the World Pro Ski Tour along with many of Sunday River’s guests,” Dana Bullen, resort president and general manager for Sunday River, says. “We are thrilled to host the return of this world-class event and ignite a new tour season to come.”

The World Pro Ski Tour is supported by an excellent group of partners headlined by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, America’s Original Craft Vodka. Tito’s Handmade Vodka will be bringing the fun to Sunday River with a weekend full of events at Sunday River-area hotspots. Tito’s Handmade Vodka has won the prestigious Double Gold Unanimous Judge’s Choice at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, besting 72 of the world’s premier vodka brands. More announcements will be made on the World Pro Ski Tour Facebook page and website regarding the race and Tito’s Handmade Vodka bar party schedule.

EVENT SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

• 7PM: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Welcome Reception at the Camp Restaurant

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

• 11AM: Pro Ski Challenge Qualifier
• 4-6PM: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Aprés Party at the Foggy Goggle
• 8PM: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bar Party at TBD

SATURDAY MARCH 11

• 11AM: Pro Ski Challenge Finals, Round of 32, 16, 8, 4, and 2
• 3PM: Awards Ceremony
• 3-5PM: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Aprés Party at the Barker Bar
• 8 PM: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bar Party at The Matterhorn

Release from World Pro Ski Tour