Contact: Keri Hone
NSAA Director of Events & Projects
khone@nsaa.org
(720) 963-4214

NSAA’s Western Phatcat Challenge Comes up Roses
Mt. Rose Snowcat Driver Sweeps $1000 Cash Prize

Mount Rose Grooming and Snowmaking Manager Dave Hahl (pictured here) won Top Op honors in the '06 Western Phatcat Challenge. Taking second place was David Myers, of Mt. Hood Ski Bowl and third place went to Brook Olsen of Snowbasin.

SQUAW VALLEY USA, Calif. – March 7, 2006 – Mount Rose Grooming and Snowmaking Manager Dave Hahl won Top Op honors while competing in NSAA’s 2nd Annual Western Phatcat Challenge held at Squaw Valley USA, March 7. For the win Hahl was awarded $1000, a TOP OP Award and an official Phatcat Avalanche Ski Wear fleece vest. The Phatcat Challenge, sponsored by Avalanche Ski Wear with support from snowcat manufacturers PistenBully and Prinoth, is designed to test the skills of ski resort grooming operators nationwide.

In the competition held on Squaw Valley’s Red Dog run, operators navigated a course featuring a slalom course flagged with several tight cornering situations; a blade-to-grade feature that simulated skills required for grooming a chairlift unloading ramp; and a straight pass, that tested drivers’ ability to create a smooth snow surface.

Taking second place was David Myers, of Mt. Hood Ski Bowl and third place went to Brook Olsen of Snowbasin, each driver receiving a Phatcat jacket. Before hitting the course, competitors attended a snow surface management workshop that addressed current challenges and discussed best practice solutions. In all more than 50 snow grooming operators competed in this year’s Phatcat Challenge events. In Eastern Phatcat Challenge held at Killington Resort, Vt., in February, Sugarbush Resort’s Willie Bozack, and Smugglers’ Notch Resort’s Mike McAdoo tied for first place.

 THE NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION, LOCATED IN LAKEWOOD, COLO., IS A TRADE ASSOCIATION FORMED IN 1962 FOR SKI AREA OWNERS AND OPERATORS NATIONWIDE.

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