The Rahlves' Banzai Tour is the world's premier big mountain freeskiing meets skier/boarder-cross event taking place at four Lake Tahoe, CA Resorts. Head to head action four at a time, top to bottom, down a wide open course over natural terrain and snow conditions. This is the ultimate test of ski and riding skills. Open entry for 18 years old and up. A solo qualifying run on Saturday ranks the Top 32 men from ski / board and Top 16 women from ski / board to Sunday's finals and a shot at the title. Top two in each round advance through the brackets until the remaining four battle it out for the podium and title of Banzai Champ. Like the old days it's racing in it's purest form. All events have a unique feel as each resort has challenging terrain the locals know best. Locals will do their best to defend home turf while others strive to take it.
For 2012 Squaw Valley USA has been added to the first year tour hosts Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Sugar Bowl Resort.
Daron Rahlves, former US World Cup and Olympic ski racer, is the organizer of the event and is responsible for its growth and success with the help of the host resorts, event partnerships and the competitors. In 2009 and 2010, one race was held each year at Sugar Bowl. In 2011, The Rahlves' Banzai tour was created. Daron does not compete in any of the individual events, but is at each event to ski, open up the qualifying runs, assist competitors with tactics and enjoy the vibe. At Sugar Bowl's tour final, Daron will compete in the "Super Final" taking on the Men Ski winners from each stop.
The Silver Belt Banzai Race first took place in the 1940's at Sugar Bowl Resort and was re-born in 2009 with one event in it's current form. The race was an enormous success in 2009 with the resort and competitors. The Rahlves' Banzai Tour builds on the past success of that race. Now world, national, regional and local media coverage of the event includes; Red Bull Media House, Warren Miller Entertainment, Tahoe TV, 101.5FM Truckee Tahoe Radio, North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, SnowFest, Powder Mag, local news and all over the WEB.
