麻豆社区

A jam-packed slate of activities helped skiers and snowboarders end Mount Sima's season on a high note this weekend.

Simapalooza was highlighted by the Boardstiff 2014 Yukon鈥圫nowboard ing Championships, but also included a series of recreational events such as the Big White Slush Cup, the Snowbike Challenge, rail jam, and King of the Hill showdown.

"It was great to end the season on such a positive note,鈥� said Don Wilson, the ski hill's general manager.

"There was a lot of people out. Those were our two biggest days of the season in terms of numbers.鈥�

Ideal weather and a fun-filled atmosphere helped cap an "excellent season鈥� for the Whitehorse ski hill, Wilson said.

"It was definitely heartwarming to see that many people out,鈥� he said. "But, in fact, we had that kind of support throughout the year. All the season ticket holders certainly got their value.鈥�

On top of giving an opportunity for locals to ski and snowboard, the hill showed its value in other ways, too.

"Most of our teams did really well in major competitions outside the Yukon,鈥濃�圵ilson said.

He also pointed to expanded numbers for the Young Riders program, which provides opportunities for youth at-risk to use the hill, as a way for the hill to give back to the community.

"For me, that's one of the things that points to the value of the hill,鈥濃�圵ilson explained.

On top of the slew of recreational events, Simapalooza also saw the territory's top snowboarders compete in the Yukon Championships.

The slopestyle showdown was held Saturday, followed by a snow-cross snowboard event Sunday.

The events capped an excellent season for Yukon snowboarders, thanks in large part to Sima itself.

"It's responsible for 99 per cent of their progression,鈥� Mary Binsted, head coach at Snowboard Yukon, admitted.

Binsted said the growth of the Under-12 age group this season has the future looking bright.

"As freestyle skiing is growing, snowboarding has seen a little bit of a decline in participation,鈥� Binsted said.

"It's great to see that it's on the way back up.鈥�

Slopestyle and boarder-cross competition winners are as follows:

Slopestyle 鈥� Alexander Chisholme (Male Open); Sally Skinner (Female Open); Tristan Yule (Male CS鈥圧iders); Nic MacDougall (Male 15-16); Kyle Koski (Male 13-14); and Sammy Mather (Male U-12).

Snow-cross snowboard 鈥� Alexander Chisholme (Male Open); Crystal Legoffe (Female Open); Aaron鈥團rotten (Male Masters); Pelly Vincent-Braun (Male 15-16); Dominic Freeman (Male 13-14); and Asher Brault (Male U-12).

Chisholme coached the Yukon's contingent at the Arctic Winter Games. He edged his pupil,鈥圱im Schirmer, in both events, using Schirmer's spare snowboard after breaking his the day before the event.