STOWE, Vermont ??” For a fourth year the Stowe Slopestyle Series returns for another season at Stowe Mountain Resort. On Saturday January 21, participants and spectators will gather once again in Stowe’s Terrain Park to kick off the first of three events this winter. The park will feature tabletop jumps, rail-slides and combo features. The contest and judging formats allow participants to display creativity and individual style. Winners in all age and discipline groups receive part of a prize purse worth thousands of dollars. Registration for the event begins at 8am in the Mansfield base lodge, and the contest starts at 11am. As always, the Stowe Slopestyle Series will exemplify the momentum and excitement of freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

The following Saturday, January 28 features another freestyle event, Stowe Mountain Resort’s Next Snow Search Qualifier for the “Sports Illustrated For Kids Next Snow Search.” This event is exclusively for 9-13 year old skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers to compete for a trip to the 2006 Next Snow Search finals, representing Stowe. Stowe’s qualifier will be judged on pipe & park performance as well as sportsmanship, personality, and enthusiasm. The Next Snow Search finals will take place in southern Vermont on March 3-5.

The Finals of the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS Next Snow Search in southern Vermont will feature approximately 150 athletes, representing more than 70 North American ski resorts. These young athletes will compete for a spot on the “2006 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS Next Snow Team.” Competition will include jumps, bumps, racing, half-pipe and big mountain riding.

The centerpiece of this year’s Next Snow Search program is the first-ever “All-Stars” event, which will bring together the elite members of the 2004 and 2005 Next Snow teams for two days of competition at Colorado’s Keystone Resort. On January 27 & 28, the best of the best will compete in an all-around test of skill for the honor of being named to the first-ever S.I. FOR KIDS “All-Stars Team.” A one-hour show featuring the S.I. FOR KIDS Next Snow Search “All-Stars” Presented by Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes will air on NBC Sports on Saturday, February 11 (2-3 p.m. ET), the first day of competition at the Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.

The SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS Next Snow Search, which was developed in partnership with Snow Monsters ??“a national ski & snowboard program for kids, is the only all-mountain, all equipment snow sports championship for kids. It’s not just a competition – style, attitude, and personality are also factors. There is only one class; everyone competes together ??“ boys and girls, skiers and snowboarders. Additional information, including a complete schedule of all events, locations, and entry information will be available at www.NextSnow.com. Last year, Stowe had three local athletes advance to the Finals event; they were Hans and Nils Mindnich, and Duncan Adams. All three kids, including Tommy Emanuelson of Stowe will also be competing as “All-Stars” in the event on NBC in Febuary.