The 2013 Rahlves Banzai Tour continues March 2-3 on the hallowed slopes of KT-22 at Palisades Tahoe. With Tahoe TV's footage from last year, Daron Rahlves gives a detailed preview of what to expect - for both competitors and spectators - at this marquee stop on the action-packed Rahlves Banzai Tour.

From the recent Banzai news release....

Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Kicks Off SnowFest! with KT-22 Banzai

Truckee, Calif. (February 22, 2013) – Mar. 1 marks the beginning of North Lake Tahoe’s most anticipated celebration, SnowFest! To coincide with this special annual event, Rahlves’ Banzai Tour has teamed up with SnowFest! to entertain guests with the rowdiest ski and snowboard race in the Sierra throughout SnowFest! opening weekend at Palisades Tahoe, as well as help out with the SnowFest! opening ceremony torchlight parade.

On Mar. 2-3, join stellar athletes and great company while participating in or watching the third leg of Rahlves’ Banzai Tour, KT-22 Banzai. Rahlves’ Banzai Tour showcases racing in its purest form, four racers at a time going head-to-head over natural terrain in ski and border-cross style action. The winners of each respective tour stop will have the opportunity to compete in the “Super Final” on Mar. 9-10 against former World Champion, 12-time World Cup winner, X-Games Gold Medalist and four-time Olympic skier and Sugar Bowl Resort Ambassador Daron Rahlves. The Sugar  Bowl Silver Belt Banzai and Super Final race takes place during closing weekend of SnowFest!, so don’t miss the festive Banzai and SnowFest! culminating events hosted by Sugar Bowl.

“The KT-22 Banzai is always one of the most exciting parts of the tour because of the great view of the course from the base of the mountain,” said Daron Rahlves. “Spectators get to watch athletes give it their all down the face of KT-22, which embodies everything the Banzai Tour is really about; the competition, athleticism, and most importantly, the enjoyment and camaraderie of the ski and snowboard community.”

Friday night before the tour stop, competing athletes, sponsors, media and special guests are invited to the event kick-off, "Rahlves' Banzai Welcome Party" from 4-6 p.m. at Sandy’s Pub in the Resort at Squaw Creek. The Welcome Party ends right in time for athletes to participate in the annual opening ceremony torch light parade. On 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 from 3-6 p.m. at Le Chamois for the "Rahlves' Banzai Après Party" thrown by High Fives Foundation. One dollar from each Sierra Nevada beer and Red Bull drink purchased throughout the après party will be donated to High Fives.
Make plans to catch the high-speed action at each of the remaining tour stops including:
    •    Palisades Tahoe                            Mar. 2-3,   2013
    •    Sugar Bowl Resort                   Mar. 9-10, 2013
For those who are curious about the tour’s name, Banzai is a Japanese term expressed as an exuberant cheer meaning, “Long Life!” or “Hurray!”  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 and was re-introduced with the head-to-head action by Daron Rahlves and Sugar Bowl in 2009. The race continued with one event for another year, and then Rahlves decided to take the show on the road, officially launching Rahlves’ Banzai Tour and expanding to stops at four of Lake Tahoe's premier resorts.

The Rahlves Banzai tour is presented by Bank of The West. The Rahlves Banzai Tour is also supported by sponsors such as Red Bull, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Contour, CEP “intelligent sportswear”, North Lake Tahoe Chamber/VCB/Resort Association, Spyder, Atomic, Start Haus Ski Shop, Wend Wax, COAL, SVE/BOSE, The Bar Effect, World Cup Supply, Jagermeister, Snow Fest, Sports Insurance, Technical Equipment Cleaners, Resort at Squaw Creek, ZINKA, 101.5 Truckee Tahoe Radio, Tahoe TV, POWDER Mag, High Fives Foundation, World Cup Supply, and CRUX Events, thereby creating an alluring $80,000 prize purse.

For more information, to check out previous race results, videos and to register, visit www.rahlvesbanzai.com. For up-to-the-minute news, “Like” The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour on Facebook and follow @RahlvesBanzai on Twitter.