The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour, Lake Tahoe's biggest and most action-packed winter event series kicks off this weekend, February 21-22 at Alpine Meadows with a launch party in Reno on Friday, Feb. 20. The incomparable high-speed action of the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour includes three stops at Lake Tahoe's premier resorts.

For a look at last year's Banzai at Alpine Meadows, watch the video above.

Get ready for the ultimate ski and snowboard race - the one of a kind, one and only Rahlves' Banzai Tour. Men and women skiers and snowboarders, 18 years old and up will compete on the 2015 Rahlves' Banzai Tour for a cash purse, trophies, parties and wild times.

Three of Lake Tahoe's premier resorts host the 5th season of the tour...

February 21-22: Alpine Meadows
March 7-8: Kirkwood
March 14-15: Sugar Bowl Resort - Silver Belt Banzai and Super Finals

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 will 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.”

Race To The Banzai Super Finals

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 three 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. If a skier is to beat Rahlves, they will take home the title of "Banzai Master" with a cash prize of $5,000.

Banzai Launch Party - Cargo - Feb. 20

A Banzai launch party will be held Friday, February 20th at Cargo nightclub in the Whitney Peak Hotel in Reno. The event will feature live music by Hoist The Colors, who play a blend of punk rock, traditional Irish music, Americana, and bluegrass that is eclectic, original and raw. The event also includes Red Bull and Sierra Nevada drink specials, sponsor prizes and RBT t-shirts and beanies, plus a chance to get one of the Rahlves' Banzai Tour pint glasses.

$10 advance / $15 Day of Show / UNR students $5 with ID. Banzai Competitors registered before Feb. 19th get free admission.

Advance tickets available at http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5663835

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 Lake Tahoe's premier resorts.

Competitor Registration

Interested competitors, men and women ages 18 and up are invited 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

For up-to-the-minute news, “Like” The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour on Facebook and follow @Rahlves_Banzai on Twitter.

The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour is proud to be associated with Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl Resort, Reach 79, Alaska Airlines, GoPro, Red Bull, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Bank Of The West, Virus Action Sport Performance, Tahoe Sports Hub, COAL Headware, Powder Mag, Zinka sunscreen, World Cup Supply, The Bar Effect, Wend Wax, North Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Center for Orthopedics, Tahoe TV, 101.5 FM Truckee Tahoe Radio, Crux Events, and Palisades Tahoe Electric.