DEER VALLEY RESORT TO HOST VISA FREESTYLE INTERNATIONAL

A longtime host to the world’s best freestyle skiing athletes, Deer Valley Resort will once again welcome the Visa Freestyle International, a FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup event, to its slopes February 1–4, 2012. This event marks the tenth World Cup Deer Valley has hosted, in addition to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of hosting the 2002 Olympic Winter Games at Deer Valley.

“Hosting these World Cup events never gets old for us,” says Bob Wheaton, resort president and general manager. “We are so honored each year to welcome these amazing athletes to Deer Valley. They are a constant source of inspiration for all of us. We have the best ski runs, course crews, volunteers and staff. We look forward to a great competition this year and encourage all ski enthusiasts to come out and watch the best athletes in the world compete right here on our mountain.”

All competitions will be held at night under the lights at Deer Valley. Park City’s charming historic Main Street will be the location for a live performance by Robert Randolph and The Family Band and fireworks to kick off the event on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, from 7 – 9 p.m. Wednesday evening will also be a celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games held in Utah. Festivities will include an Olympic torch relay that ends on the concert stage on lower Main Street, appearances by Park City Olympians and 2002 Olympic Winter Games mascots and a costume contest with prizes (participants are encouraged to dig out their old Olympic uniforms, hats, berets, pins and more). Ten-year Olympic Anniversary commemorative pins will be distributed while supplies last. The Kimball Art Center will also be hosting an exhibit of Olympic photographs and memorabilia throughout the month of February.

The moguls competition will take place at Deer Valley Resort on Thursday, February 2, the aerials on Friday, February 3, and the dual moguls on Saturday, February 4. The FIS has announced a new judging format for 2012 World Cups that will make spectating even more exciting. After qualifying rounds in both aerials and moguls, competitors will be broken into two finals; a “Final” for the top 12 or 16 competitors and a “Super Final” for the top four finalists. All competitions will be followed by awards and fireworks at Deer Valley’s outdoor venue. The events hosted by Deer Valley Resort will be televised on NBC on February 11, 2012, at 1 p.m. EST. General admission to all events is free.

For more information on Deer Valley’s 2012 VISA Freestyle International and a detailed schedule of events, please see the event website or contact resort Communications Manager Emily Summers at 800-424-DEER (3337) or (435) 645-6522, or visit the resort website at deervalley.com.