The 2011 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos will be held from March 3 – 5. This premiere big-mountain event is New Mexico’s largest and most prestigious ski and snowboard competition. Featuring athletes from around the world, 2011 marks the 7th installment of this venerable competition.

Again for 2011, the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos is proud to be a Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) event. Part of an elite group of venues, from Italy and Norway to Austria and Slovakia, the Taos’ FWQ status allows athletes to gain points and become eligible to compete in the FWT’s six showcase events: The Nissan Russian Adventure (Sochi, Russia), Nissan Tram Face (Squaw Valley, USA), Nissan Freeride de Chamonix (Chamonix, France) and Nissan Xtreme (Verbier, Switzerland).

For 2011, Taos with be ranked as a 4-star FWQ event, and will be one of the most important stops for the lady athletes as they work towards gaining a spot at the FWT finals in Verbier, Switzerland.

“This is truly one of the most important events for skiers and snowboarders in North America,” says Taos’ Alejandro Blake. “We have athletes from as far Japan and France participating, not to mention a stacked local contingent.”

“Our team at Taos is excited to host this event again in 2011,” adds Blake.

“This is the largest and most prestigious skiing event in New Mexico,” says Chief of Race, Tom Winter. “Our partnership with the Freeride World Tour has allowed us to build upon the first six years of hard work to create something special for the athletes and the spectators. We look forward to continuing the relationship with the FWT and to increasing both the $12,000 purse we have here as well as the global visibility and significance of the event.”

To learn more about the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships, to make reservations or to see results from past year competitions, please visit SkiTaos.Org. To learn more about the Freeride World Tour, check out Freerideworldtour.com. And stay tuned for special see and ski deals that will allow spectators to take advantage of discounted accommodations and skiing during the March 3 – 5 timeframe of the event.