The granddaddy of all extreme skiing competition returns to Crested Butte Mountain Resort this week when the big-mountain elite gather at the 18th annual Subaru U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Wednesday through Saturday. Get up close and personal with the type of terrain typically seen only in ski flicks as men, women, junior and master competitors take on the Butte’s “Extreme Limits” area in the first official stop of the 2009 Freeskiing World Tour. The renowned double-diamond steeps of Crested Butte set the scene for the longest-running event of its kind and establish one of the most coveted titles in the sport, drawing more than 160 top athletes. Fortunately, fans don’t have to ski it to see it, as an easy intermediate slope takes spectators to the base of the contest venue. Junior and master competitions start Wednesday, followed by the main event Friday and Saturday (Sunday is scheduled as a weather day). Your lift ticket covers the price of admission, or watch it on the live webcast beginning Friday.
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