Daron Rahlves, four-time Olympian, World Champion and Sugar Bowl Ski Ambassador, presents a new multi-resort race series in 2011 with stops at Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood and Sugar Bowl and an overall prize purse of $50,000.

Mixing disciplines of big mountain freeriding, downhill racing and ski & boarder cross strategy, the “Banzai” format, with roots tied to the original Silver Belt Banzai at Sugar Bowl, puts four racers at a time blasting out of a ski-cross start gate feature, maneuvering through strategically-placed gates on an all-natural big mountain course while navigating alongside fellow racers, with the limited rules to finish fast enough to advance to the next round. Each race boasts a $10,000 purse, with an additional $10,000 given out to the overall Tour winners.

A grass-roots flashback to the days of simply racing your friends to the bottom of the hill, Rahlves, the most decorated men’s downhiller in U.S. history, says that while the racing is real, the focus of the Banzai is on having fun.

“With so many competitions being of such a serious nature, the Banzai Tour invites skiers and riders to come out, get in the gate and point it, still maintaining a high level of racing of course, but also having a great time and enjoying the festive atmosphere that the Banzai is all about.”

Complemented with vendor village exhibit areas, numerous spectator viewing spots, finish line BBQ’s and post-race parties complete with live music and dj’s, the event draws more than just competitors and all are welcome.

Open to men, women, skiers and boarders age 18 years and older, historically the Silver Belt Banzai at Sugar Bowl has seen an eclectic mix of higher-level athletes, racing enthusiasts and everyday skiers and riders just out for a good time at a great event. With reasonable entry fees of $100 that include a lift ticket on race day, and a $50,000 overall prize purse, the Rahlves Banzai Tour projects approximately 100 athletes racing at each tour stop.

Rahlves himself will not race in any of the three tour stops. Acting instead as Banzai Ambassador throughout, he will await each of the Men’s Ski division winners from prior tour stops for a final day, one run, winner-take-all $10,000 “Banzai Super Final”, sure to be a crowd pleaser.

The three Tahoe mountains involved are perfect venues for racing of this style, offering big mountain terrain with impressive steeps, compelling routes to navigate and impressive annual snowfall totals every season.

Dates for the 2011 Rahlves’ Banzai Tour are:

Alpine Meadows - Beaver Bowl Banzai: January 22nd and 23rd

Kirkwood Mountain Resort - Eagle Bowl Banzai: February 5th and 6th

Sugar Bowl Resort - Silver Belt Banzai and Super Final: March 12th and 13th

Registration is just $100 and includes a lift ticket for Saturday’s time trials, as well as Sunday’s Banzai format racing should the racer advance out of Saturday’s round. Skiers, snowboarders, men and women 18 years and older are welcome to register at www.rahlvesbanzai.com.

In addition to the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour headlining sponsor Spyder, other Banzai backers include Bud Light, Contour HD, Giro, Sierra Avalanche Center, Atomic, Suunto, Snowbomb, Backcountry Access, 101.5FM, TahoeTV, Powder Magazine, Wend Snow Wax, Zinka SPF, and Crux Events.

For more information, and racer registration, visit RahlvesBanzai.com