HUNTER, New York ??” Latitude 42?В° North is not only the geographic location of the famed Hunter Mountain, but it’s also the place to be next weekend, Feb. 19 & 20, 2005. Telemet and Hunter Mountain present Latitude 42?В° North Air Assault 2005- a weekend packed with big air, rail jam and quarter pipe action, complete with competition, prizes, Pros and live entertainment to satisfy the likes of both freeskiers and riders.

New to the scene of terrain park-oriented events, what makes Telemet Latitude 42?В° North Air Assault unique is its “discipline neutral” nature. “We’ve created an event that appeals to both snowboarders and freeskiers alike, presenting the opportunity for competition whether on one board or two, all at one venue”, said Rob Megnin, Hunter’s Director of Marketing. A total of six disciplines are up for winning; Rail Jam, Big Air and Quarter Pipe for both skiers and riders.

Telemet Latitude 42?В° North Air Assault will draw talent from not only regional skiers and riders, but from the statewide and national levels as well. Hunter has had an overwhelming response from athletes up to this point, who have already registered through an open-entry system. Rail Jam and Quarter Pipe competition will take place on Saturday, February 19. The Rail Jam will begin at 8:30am, and the Quarter Pipe at noon. Big Air competition will begin at noon on Sunday, February 20. Competition on both days will end by 8:30 pm. Simultaneous live entertainment will round out the series of night-competitions, with a grand finale spectacle of torches and fireworks beginning at 8pm on Sunday evening.

By implementing this new and improved event, Hunter will to demonstrate it’s “freeride friendliness” to a new and increasingly popular generation of athletes and spectators. The event will be spread across a portion of Hunter’s terrain park, as well as a number of other specially crafted features at the base of Hunter.

After all is said and done, Telemet and other sponsors will have awarded an impressive $20,000 in cash and prizes to the pool of competitors, including a grand prize trip for two to Portillo, Chile. Other feature sponsors of Telemet Latitude 42?В° North Air Assault to this date include Freeskier Magazine, Burton, Salomon, Mountain Dew, Red, Anon, Swans, Ski Portillo Chile, Heineken, Himaya, Slide East Coast, WDST and Greene County Tourism.

The event is free to both competitors and spectators. Visit www.huntermtn.com/event_42degrees.html for contest rules and Event schedules.