JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming ??” The United States Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA) announces the expansion of the Mountain Hardwear/Life-Link/Dynafit Ski Mountaineering Race Series to seven races for the 2006 season.

“We are excited to announce the addition of Sugarbush and Mad River Glen in Vermont and Kirkwood Meadows, California as two new venues to this year’s race calendar,” stated John Scott, Executive Director of the USSMA. “Sugarbush and Mad River Glenn will be our first race on the East coast and we couldn’t ask for a better resort to host our first race east of the Rockies.”

“We’re really psyched to be the first eastern host of a Rally Series race,” remarked adventure skier and the head of the Sugarbush Ski and Ride School, John Egan. “The terrain that lies between Sugarbush and Mad River Glen is extremely challenging. It ranks up there with some of the most technical descents I’ve done around the world,” says Egan.

This years race series begins with the Arcteryx?В® Randonnee Rally at Whistler Blackcomb, Canada on January 7th, then the Sugarbush, Vermont Race on February 5th, Crested Butte, Colorado on February 11th, then to the Outdoor Research?В® Rally at Alpental Washington February 25th, the June Mountain Race, California is on March 4th followed by the Marmot?В® Race at Kirkwood March 11th and culminating in the American Cup Race in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on March 25th.

There will be both a race and recreation class for both men and women at all races. The racing division competitors will be able to earn points towards the overall series championship. This year there will be a unique aspect for those in the racing division as they will also be able to earn points toward the race championship at the Black Diamond Powder Keg Race in Salt Lake City on March 18th.

The Randonnee Rally Race Series is a series of ski mountaineering races held at some of the premier resorts in North America. The Race Series test the competitor’s endurance, equipment and skiing skills while skinning up and skiing down some of the toughest terrain that these resorts and their surrounding mountains have to offer. Proceeds from the race series go to benefit local avalanche forecasting centers and local search and rescue groups. Sponsors of the Series are Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, Arcteryx, Outdoor Research, Life-Link, Dynafit, Petzl, Couloir Magazine, Backcountry Magazine, Ibex, Off-Piste Magazine, Crazy-Creek, Suunto, Croakies, Clif Bar, Honey Stinger, Adventure Medical Kits, Buff Headwear. McNett Revivex, Pro Ski Service, and Mammoth Mountaineering.

For more information go to www.sugarbush.com.