A worldwide ski and snowboard competition affiliated with Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures has applied to hold an event in Haines, and is seeking areas outside of borough-created boundaries for its show.
Borough manager David Sosa has approved in-bounds use for the event but has asked Freeride World Tour to submit an additional application for use of Telemark Ridge. The area, across Chilkat River from Jones Point, is outside the borough’s heli-ski map.
SEABA’s Scott Sundberg said the Freeride World Tour event would give Haines a lot of exposure, especially in the European market. It would be “quite a bonus” to the community, he said.
Sundberg said video coverage of the competition will be disseminated to 3.5 million European viewers.
The application says Freeride World Tour and SEABA would be partnering for the event.
According to Freeride World Tour’s application, put together by Nicolas Hale-Woods, organizers believe the closed area near Telemark Ridge area is ideal because of the length of runs, its “multiple lines with interesting features,” favorable morning lighting, unique ocean view and proximity to the airport in case of emergency.
Freeride World Tour submitted its application Oct. 16. The competition would run March 14-22, with 36 riders and a total of 75 out-of-town guests, according to the application.
The Haines Borough Assembly last week passed an ordinance that allows companies to apply during the off-season to ski outside established boundaries for special events. Code previously stated companies could only apply during the heli-ski season.
Mayor Stephanie Scott said the ordinance does not automatically allow companies to use areas outside of the established heli-ski map. “There are huge barriers that an applicant or a permittee has to overcome in order to enter the closed areas, and they can only enter the closed areas if they are putting on a special ski competition event. That’s the only reason they can do that,” Scott said.
SEABA owner Sundberg said the ordinance isn’t an attempt to “find a loophole in the map,” as has been suggested by several residents. The purpose of the ordinance is to allow for enough planning time for a large event.
“You need an adequate amount of time to plan. You just can’t do it within the season, and that’s really why (the ordinance) came around,” Sundberg said.
The ordinance passed last Tuesday also stipulated a competition in a closed area could last a maximum of seven days.
Freeride World Tour competition sponsors include Swatch, Audi, GoPro and other large businesses. Prize money totals $75,000.
Tourism director Leslie Ross said the event would be “incredible for Haines, showcasing our town for winter tourism.”
“Though the event is only two to four days, I think we can expect visitors to be here for a week or two on either side – filling up hotel rooms, eating, shopping, etc.,” Ross said.
“This is a world-famous ski event bringing the world’s best mountain skiers and boarders to our mountains. If it works out, they could be here for the next three to five seasons,” she added.
According to several news outlets including ESPN, a skier died on a Freeride World Tour in 2011. Ryan Hawks, 25, died in Kirkwood, Calif., after sustaining injuries during a Freeride World Tour/Freeskiing World Tour combined competition.
Haines resident Carolyn Weishahn urged the borough to take into consideration the potential for accidents and fatalities.
“As we consider welcoming heli-ski competitions to our community, please be aware that the risk factor for accidents and fatalities that are inherent in heli-skiing are amplified in highly competitive events such as Freeride World Tour. As in any competitive sport, skiers push the envelope to rise above their competitors,” Weishahn said.
“Any heli-ski competition, as well as recreational heli-skiing, should be required to meet all regulations in the borough’s management of heli-skiing. While accidents and fatalities cannot be prevented, the borough should exercise all due diligence through the management tools at its disposal,” she added.
Lynn Canal Conservation member Eric Holle said he has no problem with holding a ski competition in Haines, but contestants should be required to stay inside the lines like everybody else.
“The lines are on the map for a reason, and they were established after input from state and federal agencies, the industry, conservation groups, residents and nonmotorized recreational users over a period of 15 to 18 years. The lines should be respected,” Holle said.
Holle drew an analogy between heli-skiing and commercial fishing, stating that the Department of Fish and Game doesn’t allow fishermen to cross boundaries because a school of fish – or more ideal territory – happens to be there.
“Just because there is a big plug of fish south of the line, Fish and Game doesn’t let them go fish there,” Holle said.
Freeride World Tour has other competitions scheduled in Switzerland, Andorra, Austria and France in the upcoming season.
In June, the assembly approved sending a letter of interest to Freeride World Tour supporting the event.
The ordinance passed last week also increased the allowed number of permits for a special ski event from one to two per season.