SAM Magazine-Rossland B.C., Nov. 27, 2007-While terrain parks are common in resorts across the globe, dedicated skier and boarder cross courses are few and far between. But the Olympics could change that. Snowboardcross was one of the most popular disciplines at the Torino Olympics, and skier cross is slated to debut at Vancouver in 2010. To support this movement, Red Mountain Resort is creating an FIS World Cup-level cross course training facility this year.

"These disciplines are hotter than ever with the success of snowboard ross in the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games and with the inclusion of ski cross in 2010," says Red general manager Erik Kalacis. "Red is really proud to support high performance development of these incredible snowsports."

Kalacis has a history with both cross disciplines. He helped pioneer snowboard cross in the mid-'90s with the Kokanee Kross competition series, then created and produced the Swatch Boardercross World Tour. Kalacis also produced the Extreme Skiercross and the Saab Salomon Crossmax Ski Cross Series in Canada. The success of these competitions helped advance the popularity of both disciplines and ultimately gain Olympic status.

Over one kilometer in length, Red's course will allow it to host provincial-level competitions that are being planned for late February as well as other regional and international-level competitions. Red staff then plan to "de-tune" the course and open it to the public in March.

The new run was designed by Whistler's Jeff Ihaksi, designer of the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic snowboard cross track and of the Olympic courses slated for 2010. "I'm happy to be working with Red Mountain Resort on one of the first snowboard cross/ski cross designated runs," says Ihaksi. "The terrain on the lower portion of Granite Mountain is ideal," with long straight-aways and undulating terrain. \