Five Pro Snowboarders Announced to Lineup for Heavenly's High Roller Hold 'Em
Poker-Inspired Competition Showcases Elite-Level Snowboarding and Cunning Strategy
South Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev. – March 18, 2013 – Heavenly is raising the stakes, and it’s no bluff, as the resort plays a full house of big-air specialists. Heavenly Mountain Resort announced Chas Guldemond, Ulrik Badertscher, Gjermund Braaten, Sage Kotsenburg and Torstein Horgmo as the first five competitors in High Roller Hold ’Em on Saturday, April 6, 2013.
In partnership with Snow Park Technologies (SPT) and hosted by two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, High Roller Hold ‘Em combines the thrill of a high-flying big air competition with the cunning strategy of Texas Hold ‘Em poker.
“Heavenly has really upped the ante by bringing in these high-level athletes to High Roller Hold ‘Em,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “These guys really know how to compete, and with $50,000 at stake, they better be ready to go all in.”
"The High Roller contest has a stacked lineup this year,” said White. “With guys like Torstein and Sage competing, I'm honored to be part of it."
Tahoe local, Guldemond, 25, was 3rd in Slopestyle at the 2013 Burton US Open, 4th in Slopestyle at the 2013 X Games Aspen, 1st at the 2013 Copper Grand Prix in Slopestyle, and 2nd in Slopestyle at the 2012 Dew Tour.
"I am excited for the High Roller Hold ‘Em event because it is a really unique concept,” said Guldemond. “Riding with all my good friends in my home zone is going to be a blast!"
Badertscher, a 24-year-old from Norway, placed 5th in Big Air at the 2013 X Games Aspen, 5th at the 2012 Dew Tour in Big Air, 2nd in Slopestyle at the 2012 Burton US Open and he took 1st at the Oakley and Shaun White Beijing Air & Style in 2011.
Braaten, 22, was 8th in Slopestyle at the 2013 X Games Aspen and placed 3rd at the Toyota Big Air 2013 and 4th in the Big Air Moscow.
Kotsenburg, 19, holds a Dew Cup title, Silver medal in X Games Slopestyle, Bronze medal in X Games Big Air, Silver medal in X Games Tignes Slopestyle and took 2nd in Dew Tour Big Air.
Horgmo, 26, placed 2nd at the 2013 Burton US Open in Slopestyle, 1st in Slopestyle at the 2013 Burton European Open, holds two gold medals and a silver medal in X Games Aspen Big Air and is a participant in the 2013 X Games LA Real Snow Backcountry.
"I'm stoked to be a part of the new format Big Air event at Heavenly,” said Horgmo. “Any night time event with SPT and pyrotechnics involved is sure to be FUN!"
High Roller Hold ’Em will take place on the World Cup run at Heavenly with a monster big-air jump created by SPT. This high-production, signature night-time event, which will also feature Red Bull’s DJ Goldenchyld from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Heavenly Angels, an exhibition with local athletes, and pyrotechnics, is also sponsored by Red Bull and GoPro and is slated to stream live on ESPN3.
South Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev. – March 18, 2013 – Heavenly is raising the stakes, and it’s no bluff, as the resort plays a full house of big-air specialists. Heavenly Mountain Resort announced Chas Guldemond, Ulrik Badertscher, Gjermund Braaten, Sage Kotsenburg and Torstein Horgmo as the first five competitors in High Roller Hold ’Em on Saturday, April 6, 2013.
In partnership with Snow Park Technologies (SPT) and hosted by two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, High Roller Hold ‘Em combines the thrill of a high-flying big air competition with the cunning strategy of Texas Hold ‘Em poker.
“Heavenly has really upped the ante by bringing in these high-level athletes to High Roller Hold ‘Em,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “These guys really know how to compete, and with $50,000 at stake, they better be ready to go all in.”
"The High Roller contest has a stacked lineup this year,” said White. “With guys like Torstein and Sage competing, I'm honored to be part of it."
Tahoe local, Guldemond, 25, was 3rd in Slopestyle at the 2013 Burton US Open, 4th in Slopestyle at the 2013 X Games Aspen, 1st at the 2013 Copper Grand Prix in Slopestyle, and 2nd in Slopestyle at the 2012 Dew Tour.
"I am excited for the High Roller Hold ‘Em event because it is a really unique concept,” said Guldemond. “Riding with all my good friends in my home zone is going to be a blast!"
Badertscher, a 24-year-old from Norway, placed 5th in Big Air at the 2013 X Games Aspen, 5th at the 2012 Dew Tour in Big Air, 2nd in Slopestyle at the 2012 Burton US Open and he took 1st at the Oakley and Shaun White Beijing Air & Style in 2011.
Braaten, 22, was 8th in Slopestyle at the 2013 X Games Aspen and placed 3rd at the Toyota Big Air 2013 and 4th in the Big Air Moscow.
Kotsenburg, 19, holds a Dew Cup title, Silver medal in X Games Slopestyle, Bronze medal in X Games Big Air, Silver medal in X Games Tignes Slopestyle and took 2nd in Dew Tour Big Air.
Horgmo, 26, placed 2nd at the 2013 Burton US Open in Slopestyle, 1st in Slopestyle at the 2013 Burton European Open, holds two gold medals and a silver medal in X Games Aspen Big Air and is a participant in the 2013 X Games LA Real Snow Backcountry.
"I'm stoked to be a part of the new format Big Air event at Heavenly,” said Horgmo. “Any night time event with SPT and pyrotechnics involved is sure to be FUN!"
High Roller Hold ’Em will take place on the World Cup run at Heavenly with a monster big-air jump created by SPT. This high-production, signature night-time event, which will also feature Red Bull’s DJ Goldenchyld from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Heavenly Angels, an exhibition with local athletes, and pyrotechnics, is also sponsored by Red Bull and GoPro and is slated to stream live on ESPN3.
About Heavenly
Heavenly Mountain Resort is a world-class destination offering guests a one-of-a-kind combination of scenic beauty and exhilarating on-snow experience. Heavenly is a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc., the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. One of the largest resorts in North America, Heavenly spans 4800 acres, climbs to Lake Tahoe’s highest elevation at 10,067 feet and features than 97 trails for every level of skier or snowboarder. For more information on Heavenly Mountain Resort, please visit www.skiheavenly.comor call 800-HEAVENLY.
About Snow Park Technologies
Snow Park Technologies (SPT) is the world’s leading consulting team for special projects on snow. SPT’s wide range of expertise includes designing and building some of the most renowned resort terrain parks and halfpipes, high profile ski and snowboard competition courses, and countless on-snow productions. SPT also provides event production services, sport organizing and marketing services aimed at youth categories. The SPT team is a collection of the most experienced and talented freestyle park and pipe innovators in the world, whose dedication and passion for snowsports has redefined the winter landscape and what is possible on snow. For more information and to learn more about their new docudrama Mountain Movers to air on National Geographic Channel in spring 2013, visit www.snowparktech.comand follow SPT on Facebook at facebook.com/snowparktechand Instagram @snowparktech.
About Snow Park Technologies
Snow Park Technologies (SPT) is the world’s leading consulting team for special projects on snow. SPT’s wide range of expertise includes designing and building some of the most renowned resort terrain parks and halfpipes, high profile ski and snowboard competition courses, and countless on-snow productions. SPT also provides event production services, sport organizing and marketing services aimed at youth categories. The SPT team is a collection of the most experienced and talented freestyle park and pipe innovators in the world, whose dedication and passion for snowsports has redefined the winter landscape and what is possible on snow. For more information and to learn more about their new docudrama Mountain Movers to air on National Geographic Channel in spring 2013, visit www.snowparktech.comand follow SPT on Facebook at facebook.com/snowparktechand Instagram @snowparktech.