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Diamir World Backcountry Freeride Jam Pits Speed-Snowshoers Against Skiers
Do Snowshoers shuffle uphill or sprint?

25.02.08 - Whistler, B.C. - On Sunday April 20th, The North Face Canadian Ski Mountaineering Championships has its final event, The North Face Whistler WindUp - 1200 meters speed ascent - 6.3 km - base of Whistler Mountain to the Roundhouse. This is arguably the hardest sprint race of any kind in Canada!
 
Who will be the first to the top?  A racer on snowshoes or a racer on skis! Atlas Snowshoes has joined up with The North Face and Primaloft for the greatest vertical snowshoe race in Canada and for the first time the snowshoers will be competing head to head with the skiers.
 
Strap those racing snowshoes to your running shoes and participate in what will be an exciting heart pounding event. The times for the skiers last year were an incredible 1:03:30! One hour to run up almost 4000 vertical feet! This pace was set by the World Record Holder for 1000m climb on skis, Kilian Jornet Burgada from Spain.

So it seems that the gauntlet has been thrown...snowshoes vs. skis!

The North Face Spearhead Passage Saturday April 19 th is the long course for the Canadian National Championships - 26 km and almost 7000ft of elevation gain. A grueling test of fitness and alpine skiing skills that takes place in the spectacular backcountry adjacent to Whistler Mountain.

The North Face Whistler Dash Saturday April 19 th is for the citizen racers or first timers. A 10k equivalent course that covers some of the same course route as the Spearhead Passage race. For this year competitors can race with AT gear, telemark gear, split boards...whatever you have (except XC equipment). Also there will be no requirement for avalanche rescue gear, transceiver etc. as this race is in-bounds and in controlled terrain. A fantastic inexpensive introduction to the sport.  

All races have tons of prizes for the competitors with the glory going to the winners but the best prizes to the participants regardless of the finish position.

Check out the www.wbfj.ca < http://www.wbfj.ca/ >  website for more details and don't forget to check out Primaloft's youtube contest to win a rafting trip to the Grand Canyon or Primaloft products from the greatest outdoor brands.

The Diamir World Backcountry Freeride Jam

The Diamir World Backcountry Freeride Jam takes place during the wild atmosphere and celebration of the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival. The DWBFJ is the arguably the only event at the TWSSF that allows, encourages and supports public participation. You don't have to be an elite athlete to experience the incredible range of activities and it is all FREE!

The heart and soul of the Jam are the multitude of free product demos and skills clinics. To encourage more people to enjoy the backcountry and to try big mountain, off piste skiing and boarding we have to make it accessible

and non-intimidating. The top of Whistler Mountain is our Backcountry Headquarters, The North Face Backcountry Village. People can try the latest backcountry equipment, tele gear, take instruction from guides, instructors and professionals to learn new skills and practice new techniques.

The DWBFJ is a not for profit event.

The DWBFJ is all about sharing our passions for getting out and playing in the mountains.

For Sponsor packages and information, contact:

Delena Angrignon
DIAMIR WORLD BACKCOUNTRY FREERIDE JAM April 18-20, 2008
PHONE: (604) 815-4228
MOBILE: (604) 916-6440
FAX: (866) 259-1394
EMAIL: delena@wbfj.ca  
www.wbfj.ca