Snow-sport aficionados lined the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain last Saturday to watch the Saudain Couloir Ski Race Extreme. Organizers of the contest, billed as "quite possibly the steepest ski race in the world," rewarded them by delivering the goods once again.
Many comers took on over 2500 vertical feet of "thigh-burning hell" on April 15, and four pulled it off better than anyone else.
Marie-Pier Prefontaine was named the top overall ladies' skier, while Sara Niblock beat out Rheanna Chow and Kumi Morishita as the top female snowboarder.
Max Kirshenblatt was the top overall skier among men, and Jonathan Penfield found himself king of the snowboarders.
The high-octane race had its beginnings in 1987, but experienced a 17-year hiatus in the 2000s before being resurrected in 2018. After a much shorter, two-year break due to COVID, the Extreme made it's return in 2022.
"A special shout out to [the Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival], Gibbons Whistler and Corona Canada for their support in bringing this special race to life," said event representatives in a statement posted to the Whistler Blackcomb Events Facebook page, where full results for the Saudain Couloir Extreme are also available.
