The 2015 Sprint U.S. Grand Prix returns to Copper Mountain this week to kick off the FIS World Cup and AFP Platinum Level competition circuit. Top athletes from across the globe will battle it out in Copper’s “Main Vein” 22-foot halfpipe in an attempt to take the top spot on the podium. Freeski qualifying will begin on Wednesday, December 3 with Finals going down on Friday, December 5. Televised coverage of the event will be hosted by NBC Sports Network on Saturday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m. EST and Sunday, December 7 at 2:30 p.m. EST. For more information, see the press release below.

Press Release provided by Copper Mountain:

Copper Mountain, Colorado — Athletes from around the world are set to battle it out at Copper Mountain for the 2015 Sprint U.S. Grand Prix, Dec. 1-6. Halfpipe freeskiing and snowboarding athletes will take to the 22 foot “Main Vein” Superpipe located in Copper’s Center Village.

The freeskiing events at Copper will be FIS World Cup and AFP Platinum level. AFP creates a global rider ranking system based off of the top-level events in freeskiing and crowns world champions. The snowboarding event at Copper will be co-sanctioned as both FIS World Cup and TTR World Snowboard Tour International level competition. The World Snowboard Tour creates a global rider ranking system based off the top-level events in snowboarding to crown world champions. Dual sanctioning for both freeskiing and snowboarding creates additional value for the athletes as they accrue points in all needed areas to secure spots at international competitions.

NBC Sports Network will feature coverage of the competition on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5:00 p.m. EST and Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m. EST. Television coverage continues on NBC on Sunday, Dec. 14th at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Top U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding athletes are expected to compete including freeskiing halfpipe Olympic gold medalist David Wise and snowboard halfpipe Olympic gold medalists Kaitlyn Farrington, Kelly Clark and Hannah Teter. Other heavy hitters including Louie Vito, Elena Height, Arielle Gold and more are all set to compete on the 22’ Main Vein Olympic-sized Superpipe.

The competition kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8:30 a.m. with qualifiers and continues through the weekend with freeski finals on Friday, Dec. 5 and snowboard finals on Saturday, Dec. 6. Guests can catch the action free of charge at the Main Vein Superpipe located walking distance from Burning Stones Plaza in Center Village. The full event schedule is available here.

Burning Stones Plaza in Center Village transforms into the Grand Prix Vendor Village on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with sponsor tents featuring Paul Mitchell, The North Face, Cheez-It’s and USSA handing out samples and information to guests.

Don’t want to miss any of the action? Last Chance Lodging is still available, book your nights and save up to 33%.

Visit CopperColorado.com for lodging steals, event details and more. Stay in the loop all year long at www.facebook.com/CopperMtn or @CopperMtn on Twitter and Instagram.

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