It’s hard to believe that it was 21 years ago when a group of local Tod Mountain friends and ski racers decided to hold a little known speed skiing race now called the Subaru Velocity Challenge. Little did they realize that their need for speed would one day become the only event of its kind in North America, would be granted FIS World Cup race status and all the fastest skiers in the world would flock to their home ski hill to compete in what is now “the fastest non-motorized sport on earth.” From Mar. 4 to 7, 40 athletes from as many as nine countries will descend on Sun Peaks Resort to compete in the 2010 Subaru Velocity Challenge and FIS World Cup of Speed Skiing presented by Zimmer Autosport.

Original event founder and course record holder (177.21 km/h) Kenny Dale says it’s the local connection to the event that’s kept it a success for so long.
“The event has lasted so long because we have the support of so many in the community; the volunteers and sponsors come back year after year to help make it a successful show. It speaks for itself really when we have the absolute best skiers in the world here competing. As a sportsman, there’s nothing better for me than racing against the best on my home mountain each year.”
Sun Peaks Resort has been a sponsor and supporter of the event each year and look forward to hosting the event again this year.
“It’s really a great show and we’ve always had a great association with the Velocity Challenge,” said Jamie Tattersfield, operations manager for Sun Peaks Resort Corporation. “From a ski resort perspective, it all works. It shows really well, it sets up nicely and it has a fairly low impact on ski operations. It’s a great thing to have and everyone in the company really enjoys having it here.”
To the outsider it might seem that there may be a few loose screws amongst the men and women from around the world that hurl themselves down the icy, steep Headwall Speed Skiing Track, but to the veterans it’s really about the mental game and the challenge.
“It’s really about confidence in your skiing ability.” said Dale. At 46-years-old, this 25 year veteran of the sport shows no signs of slowing down. “I’ll speed ski as long as I’m physically able. To me it’s the purest form of ski racing, going as fast as you can on whatever course you’re racing on.”
Calling the sport of speed skiing addictive is an understatement if you talk to Velocity Challenge veteran and Sun Peaks local Don Gagnon. Gagnon will compete in his 21st Velocity Challenge this year. “It’s all about the rush of the speed. I love seeing how fast I can really go on skis,” said Gagnon with a chuckle.

Sun Peaks Resort, B.C. — There won’t be any speeding tickets handed out as 40 of the fastest skiers on the planet reach speeds in excess of 175 km/h at the 2010 Subaru Velocity Challenge. North America’s only speed skiing event will rocket ahead this March with the support of a national sponsor, Subaru Canada, and local presenter, Zimmer Autosport.

“This is the one time each year at Sun Peaks where speed is not only encouraged, but rewarded,” said Adam Earle, the Subaru Velocity Challenge Organizer. “While there won’t be any traffic police lining the course, race officials will be closely monitoring the safety of the racers as they get progressively faster over the course of this thrilling race, it is a wild sight watching skiers fly past at nearly 175km/h.”
With Subaru Canada and Zimmer Autosport backing the event for the third year, and the event celebrating it’s 21st anniversary organizers expect to see growth in its local and international appeal.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be involved with the Velocity Challenge for a third year,” said Rob Zimmer, President of Zimmer Autosport. “We’re fortunate to have such a fantastic facility to host this world-class event and are excited to showcase our athletes, and to support our community and its events.”
Granted FIS World Cup status for the eighth year, racers from 10 countries will compete on the eight seconds.
“We start preparing the Headwall course over a month before the race is held, building up snow at the start finish areas, as well as grooming the course with a winch-cat groomer specifically designed for grooming steep pitches like the Headwall,” outlined Jamie Tattersfield, director of mountain operations for Sun Peaks Resort Corporation. “It’s a steep and challenging course with an average grade of 55 per cent that requires special attention from the most experienced members of our team.”
The steep, icy and treacherous Headwalls Speed Track also includes several rolls that will likely cause racers to become airborne during their controlled free-fall descent, creating some exciting moments for those watching the race. “Imagine a ski racer wearing a Darth Vader-like helmet, a bright red skin-tight rubber suit and 240 centimetre long skis flying past you at over 175 km/h “two feet off the ground,” said Earle. “Combine that with the sound the racers make as they cut their way through the air, and it becomes a spectacle not to be missed.”
The race may be viewed from the Sunburst Restaurant at mid-mountain and accessed by the Sunburst Express chairlift.