The Ski The East Freeride Tour (STEFT) kicks off tomorrow at Mad River Glen, VT. For the second year in a row this tour is here to synchronize the Eastern freeride community. The STEFT provides a unique platform for skiers to collaborate, and showcase the progression of competitive East Coast freeride skiing.

In past years, four events were operating independently of one another at Mad River Glen, Magic Mountain, Sugarbush, and Jay Peak Resort. The STEFT has integrated each of these competitions, which had each become well respected in their own right, and created further opportunities for additional camraderie, prize offerings, and media exposure for the contestants (as well as the events and the mountain resorts that host them).

This year, the tour has added additional awards to each event including a cash purse for the male and female victors. In addition, plans have been laid for some kick-ass après parties to celebrate each competition.

By uniting all of these events, STEFT has officially been sanctioned by the International Free Skiers Association (IFSA), the governing body of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour. As a result, the overall points winner at the end of the season will be awarded pre-qualification into the '11-'12 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour.

So get out there, show off your skills, and then get yourself onto the World Tour and let the world know that the East Coast has some serious talent. Check out more info here.

1) February 5th, 2011 – Unconventional Terrain Competition
     Venue: Mad River Glen | Waitsfield, VT

2) February 26th, 2011 – Black Magic Extreme Challenge
     Venue: Magic Mountain | Londonderry, VT

3) March 5th, 2011 – Castlerock Extreme Challenge
     Venue: Sugarbush | Warren, VT

4) March 12th & 13th, 2011 – IFSA Extreme Competition – Eastern Final
Venue: Jay Peak | Jay, VT