Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

February 15, 2007 issue

High Country King of the Hill Boardercross and Skiercross at Hawksnest Feb. 25

Story by Sam Calhoun

Now that winter is finally here and the ski slopes are ripe for the carving, it’s time to take full advantage of snowsport activities before spring starts to creep in. And what better way to take advantage of the winter than to participate in a local event set up by local people at a local ski slope?

Announcing the High Country King of the Hill: The Quest for the Crown—an inaugural bordercross, skiercross and after party to be held at Hawksnest Resort in Seven Devils from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 25.

As a joint initiative of a group of friends taking part in the Sugar Mountain Adult Race League, the King of the Hill grew out of the desire to host an event without judging or timing, but still with healthy competition that would draw members of the local and surrounding communities. The thought is to energize locals to take part in more outdoor winter events. With the success of the Sugar Mountain Adult Race League—timed events—and Appalachian’s Shred for the Cup series—judged events—the King of the Hill hopes to fill the void and incite groups of borders and skiers who haven’t taken part in an event this season to get out on the slopes.  

Sponsored by High Country Press, SHOUT Magazine, Hawksnest Resort and BDWG Concrete Studios, the King of the Hill will begin with a two-hour registration period from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Hawksnest Lodge. The entry fee is $20 per rider and Hawksnest will sell discounted lift tickets. When participants sign up, they will be assigned to a four-person heat and receive a bib.

From 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., the racing will take place—roughly covering an area from near the top of the main lift to the bottom of the Sock-em-Dog ski slope. Winners from each heat will advance to the next round until the final heat of four riders.

The race will be conducted in an open format with four divisions: men’s bordercross, women’s bordercross, men’s skiercross and women’s skiercross. All participants must be 18 or older.

Richard Rominger—Hawksnest’s terrain park specialist who has just returned from a five-year stint out west where he managed a 245-acre terrain park in Schweitzer, Idaho—has been working diligently to set a racecourse that is sure to impress racers of all skill levels.

Winners of each division will receive a portion of the proceeds for a cash purse, with the rest of the money going to support the after party that will be held in the Nest Bar from 4:30 to 10:00 p.m. With two bands scheduled to appear—the hip-hop group Break Bread and either a local Americana band or a rock trio from South Carolina—the after party will feature an awards ceremony, raffles, fun and games and plenty of drinks and dancing. There is no cover charge to get in, so anyone from the local community—you don’t have to take part in the race—is invited to attend. Winners will also receive a soon-to-be-coveted metal crown with an engraving that depicts the event, as a trophy and keepsake. 

Stay tuned to LIFT TICKET for more information about the High Country King of the Hill: The Quest for the Crown.

For more information and/or to volunteer, call 828-266-1599 or email sam@highcountrypress.com.

Want To Go?

Date: Sunday, February 25

Time: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. registration/12:00 to 4:00 p.m. race/4:30 to 10:00 p.m. after party

Location: Hawksnest Resort, Seven Devils

Cost: $20 entry fee / discounted lift ticket