KILLINGTON, Vt. -- The nation's best high-flying freestylers will be touching down this week in central Vermont to compete in the Sprint US Freestyle Championships at Killington. US Ski Team members, Olympians, and hopefuls will be among the more than 200 athletes competing in moguls, aerials, and superpipe over the four-day competition.
Expected to return to defend their mogul crowns are Vermonters David Babic and Hannah Kearney. Bear Mountain's famed bump run Outer Limits -- billed as the "steepest, longest mogul run in the East" -- offers a knee-jarring venue for both aerials and moguls. The long superpipe, with its steep walls, provides plenty of room for take offs and landings among new-school competitors.
An estimated 10,000 people turned out for last year's competition. The Bear Mountain Lodge is the hub for action off the slopes with live bands and a product expo with event-sponsor giveaways. You can also sample the après-ski experience along Killington Road.
The competition begins Thursday in the pipe with single moguls set for Friday. That night, downtown Rutland comes alive with a championship ceremony. The twisting aerials take flight Saturday with exciting head-to-head dual mogul action Sunday. Keep the Sharpie handy for autographs.
Sprint US Freestyle Championships, March 22-25. Killington Resort, 4763 Killington Road, Killington, Vt. 800-621-6867. killington.com. Free.Directions: Killington is about 150 miles or about three hours from Boston. Take Interstate 93 north into New Hampshire to I-89 north. Take exit 1 in Vermont to Route 4 and head west to Killington.
MARTY BASCH
