SLIDESHOW: Vermont’s finest charge the steeps at the Ski The East Freeride Tour
There were rocks, trees and stretches of bulletproof hardpack for two Ski The East Freeride Tour (STEFT) events at Sugarbush and Smugglers’ Notch this weekend, but close to 100 men and women competitors still charged the steeps and challenging conditions in bids for freeskiing recognition.
On Saturday, Chelsea Stevens and Parker Herlihy took top spots after impressing judges with their respective descents down Sugarbush’s Paradise. Noah Ranallo and Leigh Brandenburg stood at the top of the podium following Sunday’s competition on Smuggs’ Madonna Headwall.
The two competitions were among the first successful STEFT events of the season, after uncooperative conditions forced the cancelation of stops at Magic Mountain and Mad River Glen. The next competition is scheduled for this Saturday at Sugarloaf in Maine. Jay Peak hosts the championships March 19 – 20 on Green Beret and Face Chutes.
Didn’t catch the action? Check out a slideshow of some of Vermont’s most daring skiers at Saturday’s event.
