2012 SCHEDULE

        Friday Feb 24          9:00am - 4:00pm   Registration and Practice

        Saturday Feb 25     12:00pm  Amateur division Rounds 1 & 2

         PRO seeding round at conclusion of Amateurs' Round. 2

        SUNDAY Feb 26         12:00pm Amateur Div. FINAL Round
                                                1:00 pm   Pro Div. Competition begins.

COSTS:         AMATEUR DIVISION                      = $75.00
                        PROFESSIONAL DIVISION          = $125.00
New this year, $25 refund for jumpers who work on the jump prior to and during the event

SPECTATORS WELCOME: Sunday, February 22, non-skier admission is $3 per person.
No personal alcoholic beverages allowed. Please carpool and bring lawn chairs.

WHAT IS THE GELANDE EVENT?
Gelande is a two day ski jump event attracting national media as well as jumpers from all over the U.S.  The Montana Snowbowl Cup boasts an $8,000 cash purse, collected from local sponsors. Annually, the last weekend of February.

With the restaurant and bar located smack dab in front of the natural jump, spectators can watch this exciting event in complete comfort. The Gelande is considered one of the most thrilling outdoor sporting events held in Missoula. If you have never seen this event before, you don't want to miss it.

HISTORY:
Gelandesprung literally means terrain jump. Snowbowl boasts the only natural Gelandesprung in the United States still used for competition.  The first Gelandesprung hill was built using an old mine tailings pile for a landing hill and a snow built ramp for a take-off. Alf Engen started the first contest in 1964 at Alta, Utah.  In the early days of contest the event was a celebration of spring and provided a measurable bragging rights among Utah skiers.  The competition quickly spread to include skiers from  Colorado, New Mexico, California, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Washington and Montana.  

SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
Ski jumping has been in the Winter Olympics forever.  So  what is the big deal about Gelande?  Rather than using Nordic skiis, which allow a free heel, Gelande jumpers use the standard Alpine gear with a fixed heel.   The skis are extremely long and the jumpers use the "V" style of Olympic jumping for flight position.  Competition points are based on the length of a jump and style points combined.

THE JUMPERS
Most of today's jumpers are men, but the Gelande has seen women jump as competitors in the past.  There is a Gelande circuit including competitions in Colorado, Utah and Montana.  Many of these competitors are excellent athletes in other sports.  Gelande competitions have seen U.S. Collegiate downhill champions compete, world class extreme skiers, elite mountain bikers and world class kayakers.   Competitors have started as young as eight years old and National Gelande Champions have ranged in age from 17 to 39+.     We have also seen second generations compete.  In the last couple of years there has been a resurgence of new young blood among the competitors.  This makes the competition even more exciting because the young jumpers have a fresh outlook and a "no fear" attitude as they take on the challenge of catching HUGE air.

$8,000 Purse?  How can a local ski area do that?
Sponsors and volunteers.  The Gelande competition in Missoula may not have the largest physical jump but it has the biggest heart and an incredible amount of support from the community.  The purse is a collection from our loyal sponsors.  If it wasn't for their support we could not offer the LARGEST PURSE on the circuit.  If you are in Missoula please patronize our generous sponsors. Most of our sponsors donate to the Gelande because they love skiing and know what an incredibly unique event the Gelandesprung is. Here they are:

Beverage and Dining Experts
SUMMIT BEVERAGE
BAYERN BREWING
RHINOCEROS BAR
SEAN KELLY'S, A PUBLIC HOUSE
IRON HORSE PUB & GRILL
WORDEN'S MARKET
LOOSE CABOOSE


Professional services
AXIS PHSICAL THERAPY
GALUSHA, HIGGINS & GALUSHA ACCOUNTANTS
OZ ARCHITECTS
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS, INC.
SIGN PRO
RICK'S AUTOBODY
RED'S TOWING
ROEMER'S TIRE FACTORY

McCUE CONSTRUCTION

MONTANA HEADWALL
THE TRAIL 103.3 RADIO
HUFF CONSTRUCTION
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES-MISSOULA


Retailers
BIG SKY TOY ROOM
BOB WARD & SONS
BITTERROOT MOTORS

MONTANA ACE HARDWARE


Volunteers
MISSOULA'S BETTERSIDE WOMEN'S RUGBY CLUB