(Press Release)

Valdez, Alaska – June 5, 2013 – Tailgate Alaska will return to Thompson Pass March 28 – April 6, 2014, bringing together dedicated recreational riders, professional athletes and the industry to ride the Chugach Mountains that promise the ultimate in terrain and conditions.

Tailgate Alaska 2013 was the largest year ever — with more participants and nearly 70% more media coverage than the previous year — marking the sixth straight year of growth for the event. It’s no wonder, as Alaska delivered again in 2013 with fresh snow, blue skies and some of the best, direct access on the planet.

For the past four seasons there have been free snow-science classes on-site at Tailgate Alaska. This year, Tailgate Alaska will take the message of backcountry safety much further. Tailgate Alaska will distribute those full-duration snow-science classes online with a webcast series — geared to making any backcountry participant better prepared.

“It has become clear that the new direction in freeriding is venturing deeper and farther which entails much greater personal risk. It is our responsibility as an industry to ensure that backcountry participants have the tools they need to make sound backcountry decisions,” according to event founder Mark Sullivan.

The 12-part video series will premiere October 1, 2013 with half of the videos emphasizing hands-on avalanche education along with safety and rescue techniques. The other videos will feature excerpts from the overall Tailgate Alaska experience — including riding, basecamp personalities (with a few outtakes), Man Games and other unique aspects of Tailgate Alaska.

Tailgate Alaska also plays host to the World Freeriding Championship — which will introduce a new format for 2014, allowing riders to capture their best riding on video anytime during the event window. More news on the 2014 World Freeride Championship to come.

For more information, check out: www.tailgatealaska.com.