Raw freeskiing at the Molson Canadian Freeskiing Championships

"If there's a Doctor in the building, please report to the Smoke Eaters dressing room".

Come again? The disturbingly funny but true quote echoed from the loud speakers in Trail BC's Cominco Arena. If there's a Doctor?!? At a minor hockey league game between metal refining Trail teenagers and our favourite logging metropolis of Prince George, BC, you'd think Dr.'s would outnumber score-keepers. Guess not, eh hoser? Pass me another beer. Hey, is that my tooth over there?

But the Smoke Eaters kept their cool while their injured players stitched themselves up (I guess), and went on to win 5-4 in regulation time. After the game, while we were getting mooned by local Trail girls in the arena parking lot, the rest of the freeskiing community was in nearby Rossland getting their beauty sleep before another day of competition at Red Mtn.

The 3rd Annual Molson Canadian Freeskiing Challenge was held at Red Mountain this Jan 14-18, to once again share their freeskiing microcosm with the world. And the Doglotion.com crew had once again joined the convoy of trucks, cars, and campers from Whistler, all coming to Red Mountain to enjoy the WWF Smackdown of ski competitions; freeskiing in it's rawest form.

The textbook definition of 'Little Areas that Rock', Red Mountain has been 'keeping freeskiing real' since the turn of the century, before they had even built their first chairlift in '47. (Read their history). Every year us Whistlerites come to Red for the Freeskiing Challenge, but we're always torn between the competition action and the urge to explore and freeski all over the resort's killer terrain.

This year was no exception. While the competition went off and skiers showcased their freeskiing on Lynx line and Roberts, spectators and competitors alike couldn't help but play hooky now and again to explore Red's terrain. Crawling through mining shafts, finding log grinds in the woods, high-speed chases through the tight gullies, and hiking nearby ridges all kept everyone from taking the trip too seriously. Pure freeskiing.

Back to the Smackdown... the Freeskiing Challenge was well executed this year, despite a few foggy days that could have put a serious damper on the competition. The awesome mountain staff, patrols, and judges threw together some creative plans to pull off a qualifier and 2 competition runs for the women and men.

Day 1 of the competition was a slow going foggy qualifier, and only the women competitors were able to run. But Day 2 brought bluebird skies and a sweet day of competition. All the women and men charged down Lynx line in turn, Billy Goode dropped some jaws with his big backflip to kartwheels routines, and Moss Patterson skied solid and fast to earn the high score of the day.

The fog was back with a vengeance for the final Day, but like we said, the event staff got creative and managed to run a smooth and injury free day of competition. Judges and a few spectators spaced themselves along the course on Mt Roberts to watch the remaining 7 women and 26 men compete for a mighty fine prize purse courtesy of Molson Canadian.

In the mens division, Peter Velisek stomped all his airs cleanly and fluidly to earn the high score of the day and third overall. But Red-Mountain-raised James Heim edged him out for 2nd place, and crowd favourite Moss Patterson skied another solid run to keep 1st place postition; becoming the winner of the 2004 Molson Canadian Freeskiing Challenge, and leaving $5000 richer!

Sarah Oakden from Fernie skied the women's line of the day, but ended up placing 3rd overall, just shy of Vikki Cole from Whistler and Kit Deslauriers from Jackson Hole, who tied for first! We thought there might be a mud/jello tug-o-war contest for the giant prize cheque they had to share, but hey, this isn't a Smoke Eaters game.

Props to all the mountain staff, patrols, judges and event organizers who successfully ran another awesome freeskiing competition at Red Mountain! Event organizer Jack Carey really knows how to party, Jeff Holden and his team of judges did an awesome job to keep the comp running smoothly through bad weather, Mountain Manager Jim Green was proud to be hosting the event, and Lucie Fortier of Red Mountain oversaw the whole thing from start to finish. And of course, cheers to Molson Canadian and the supporting sponsors.

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PS - Big Buck Hunter rules.

Competitor Tobin Seagel enjoying a quality round of Big Buck Hunter at the Rock Cut Pub. How 'bout the old-school ski vid on the TV in the background eh?