45th Annual Ohio Winter Ski Carnival at Snow Trails this Weekend

Mansfield, OH February 22, 2006: Snow Trails Winter Resort, one of the state’s most popular ski and snowboard resorts, will host the Annual Ski Carnival February, 25th and 26th. This is a special year as they are also celebrating their 45th Anniversary. The Ski Carnival takes the 45th mark as well; a featured weekend at the resort from the very first season.

There is truly an event for everyone, from the high flying thrills of the Big Air Competition to the famous Bikini and Chippendale Slalom race. The slopes will attract many, and the Carnival even more, as Snow Trails gears up for an expected 5,000 visitors. The slopes will be open for regular skiing and snowboarding throughout the weekend. On Saturday, the slopes will open at 9:00am. Some of the best skiing conditions the resort has had for the month of February are expected. For a complete list of events, check out the website at http://www.snowtrails.com

The Ski Patrol Bratwurst Burn will begin serving the best brats and beer at 11:00am. For the second year, the SoBe Kid’s Challenge will take place in the Terrainasaurus Park for the youngster’s at noon. The aroma of the grill will fill the air as the Mountain Bike downhill contestants warm up for the Slalom course, set on the Competition Slope at 1:00pm.

The ever so popular Bikini and Chippendale races will take place at 3:00pm. Awards for the day’s activities will be at 4:30pm in the Snowflake Loft, in the main lodge.

The evening’s activity begins with the Mountain Dew MDX Big Air Competition at 7:00pm; where contestants will perform their best tricks and spins as they try to impress the judges. Live entertainment will follow in The Snowflake Loft with the sounds from the band “Shucking Bubba Deluxe,” along with awards for the Big Air, and the Torch Parade to take place on the Mt. Mansfield Slope, closing the first day of the Carnival, at 10:00pm.

The second day will begin with the slopes opening at 9:00am. The Snow Trails Ski Patrol will fire up the outdoor grill once again at 11:00am, as the Carnival Giant Slalom race gets underway. The costume contest is scheduled for noon.

It’s all part of the fun, as the course will be set and ready to fire off the first qualifying heat of the Skier and Boarder Cross race, slated for 12:30pm. A race of this nature is a hybrid of down-hill skiing and a motocross course on snow, for contestants to race five or six at a time down the potentially disastrous course.

The Molson Challenge will draw a crowd to view participants of the obstacle course competition at 2:00pm. Set as the grand finale of the Carnival is the Mountain Dew Slush Cup where daring individuals try their best at skimming across an icy pool of slush.

Most do not make it across the lengthy pool, proving to be a treat more for the spectators than the participants. Although the events and features are designed to add excitement and fun to the weekend, all are welcome to come and ski whether they participate in the events or not.

Snow Trails has been Ohio’s most popular winter sports destination since 1961. There are seven lifts serving 16 runs, including three terrain parks on 50 acres. The Resort boasts being "Ohio's first and finest" since it has a reputation for many Midwest firsts.

The ski season runs through Mid-March, weather permitting. The resort is located off Interstate 71 south of Mansfield, OH on Possum Run road. For more information call 800-OHIO-SKI or visit the website at www.snowtrails.com

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