The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour, Lake Tahoe's biggest and most action-packed winter event series, has announced the 2013 tour stops spanning four weekends from Feb. 2nd through Mar. 10th at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Alpine Meadows, Palisades Tahoe and Sugar Bowl Resort.

Rahlves' Banzai Tour combines big mountain freeride technique, ski/boarder-cross thrills with downhill speeds and racing in it's purest form. Competitors race four at a time, head-to-head over natural terrain in ski and boarder-cross style action in an ultimate test of raw mountain racing skills. 


“There is no other race like this in the world,” said world champion skier Daron Rahlves. “Last year's low tide conditions forced new routes down each venue and produced exciting competition and a great show for spectators, and this year should be even better."

When the starting gate drops, it's 'game-on' as four competitors battle it out for the hole shot and an early lead. Tactics, skill, strength and calculated risk are put to the test as racers attack terrain and widely varying snow conditions across steep, natural terrain. For spectators, watching the battle is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

"I'm always impressed with the competitors' attitude and level of commitment," commented Rahlves. "What's so unique about this race is that everyday rippers line up against pro level athletes and have a shot at the title. It's a competition among competitors, but ultimately it's each person against the mountain.”

The final stop on the tour each year is held at Sugar Bowl Resort, where the race originated, in the 'Silver Belt Banzai'. This final race features the “Super Final” in which Rahlves, a former World Champion, 12-time World Cup winner, X-Games Gold Medalist and four-time Olympic skier will race against the four men’s skiing division winners from each stop on this year’s tour. This grand finale never disappoints, as it provides the only opportunity during the tour to witness Rahlves putting his technical skills and all-out effort to the test against the crowned winners of the tour. The skier to beat Rahlves will take home the title of "Banzai Master" with a cash prize of $10,000.

More Than Racing
Each Friday night before a tour stop, competing athletes, sponsors, media and special guests are invited to the event kick-off, "Rahlves' Banzai Welcome Party". On each Saturday, after the solo qualifying timed runs to seed Sunday's finals and heats of four, all competing athletes, sponsors, media and fans are invited to celebrate all things Banzai at the "Rahlves' Banzai Après Party" thrown by High Fives Foundation. High Fives Foundation is a Truckee, CA based non-profit organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for athletes who have suffered a life-altering injury while pursuing their dream in the winter action sports community. A portion of the proceeds from beverages purchased throughout the evening and raffle prizes will be donated to High Fives.

Competitors aged 18 and up are encouraged to start polishing up on their schussing big mountain skills and get ready to enter the men’s and women’s ski and snowboard divisions for the tour.

2013 Banzai Tour Schedule
   •    Kirkwood Mountain Resort    Feb.  2-3,   2013
    •    Alpine Meadows                       Feb.  9-10, 2013
    •    Palisades Tahoe                            Mar. 2-3,   2013
    •    Sugar Bowl Resort                   Mar. 9-10, 2013

The History of Banzai
For those who are curious about the tour’s name, 'Banzai' (which has a variety of interpretations and meanings) is a Japanese term expressed as an exuberant cheer meaning, “Long Life!” or “Hurrah!” It's also defined as "attacking fiercely and recklessly". Either way, its' an apt name for a high-spirited downhill ski and snowboard competition. The Silver Belt Race first took place in the 1940s at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. In 2009, it was re-introduced by Daron Rahlves with the head-to-head action in the first 'Silver Belt Banzai'. The race continued with one event for another year, and then Rahlves decided to take the show on the road, officially launching the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour and expanding to its current format with stops at four of Lake Tahoe's premier resorts.

Building on the tour’s success and evolution, Rahlves has designated the worthy High Fives Foundation as the tour’s official non-profit partner, while leveraging big name sponsors such as Red Bull, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Contour, CEP “intelligent sportswear”, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, Jagermeister, Spyder, Atomic, Start Haus Ski Shop, Wend Wax, COAL, The Bar Effect, World Cup Supply, Snow Fest, Sports Insurance and CRUX Events, thereby creating an alluring $80,000 prize purse.

Competitor Registration
Competitor registration will being in January. Interested competitors, ages 18 and up are encouraged to start polishing up on their schussing and big mountain skills and get ready to enter the men’s and women’s ski and snowboard divisions for the tour. For information, to check out previous race results, videos and to register, visit www.rahlvesbanzai.com

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