BARTLETT, New Hampshire ??” It’s one of the biggest and longest-running Mount Washington Valley ski traditions, where racers compete in hopes of taking home great prizes and, more importantly, bragging rights. Held at Attitash in Bartlett, New Hampshire as the kick off to this year’s Bud Light Spring Mania, the highly competitive Red Parka Pub Challenge Cup marked its 33rd year and raised over three thousand dollars benefiting the Eastern Slope Ski Club’s Junior Program (ESSC).

“The caliber of racers this year was the best yet. The generosity of all of the ski reps and the community in their donations to the RPP Challenge is heartwarming. The ESSC Jr. Ski Program is where many of these racers started and they obviously believe in it as I do,” said Terry O’Brien, race host and co-owner of the Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH.

Adrenaline was high as ski racers went head to head on the course set up on Spillway that featured a dual slalom and a pro style bump. Ninety-nine racers aligned at the top of the competition slope in anticipation of their qualifying runs early Friday morning, before the field was narrowed down to the top 16 men (divisions A&B) and the top 8 women. Finals and semi-finals were held throughout the afternoon as festive St. Patrick’s Day spectators looked on.

Ben Drummond captured first in the men’s division with Matt Ferguson placing second and Ivar Dahl coming in third. In the Vets division, Sean Florian won top honors with David Bruchu in second and Dave Laidman, recent Eastern Inter Club Ski League Champion, placing third.

On the women’s side Janice Dahl finished first in front of Adora Burke, the second place finisher, with Tracy Beckerman in third. Team MTV2 took first place in the team division. Team members included Ben Drummond, MC Malboeuf, Nick Salter and Heather Plimpton.

Each year during ski season ESSC volunteer instructor’s work teaching local school kids how to ski. US ski team members, and former Mount Washington Valley residents, Tyler Palmer and Chrissy Guptill started out in the ESSC program.

Attitash’s Spring Mania continues this weekend with the Attitash Open On-Snow Golf Tournament and the Bud Light Concert Series featuring the Boston Horns. The final event will be held on March 29th with the Red Parka Regatta. For further details visit Attitash.com.

Attitash is in the White Mountains of New Hampshire on Rt. 302 in Bartlett. During the winter Attitash offers 2 mountains with 70 trails and 22 miles of skiing and riding on 280 acres. In the summer guests can enjoy North America’s longest Alpine Slides, waterslides, a scenic sky ride, lift-serviced mountain biking, climbing wall, Trampoline Thing, horseback rides, driving range and skate park.