February 20th, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Annual Ski Event Brings Eclectic Breed of Skiers to South Lake Tahoe

(South Lake Tahoe) - The 9th annual "Monopalooza", a gathering of over 100 monoskiers from around the world, will take place in South Lake Tahoe February 28th through March 2nd at Kirkwood, Sierra at Tahoe and Heavenly Resorts.

This quintessential gathering of like-minded skiers prefer to ride the mountain on one large board, called a monoski, with their feet facing forward side by side in a fixed position. They often get puzzled expressions from onlookers who are used to seeing skiers on 2 boards, or snowboarders who ride sideways in a skateboard or surfing position.

"It's really exciting way to enjoy riding the snow, "says Scott Gordon, President of Chronic Ski Company, who has organized the Monopalooza gathering for the past 9 years, "and it's a sport that skiers and boarders can easily learn, especially those that have experienced knee and back injuries." The monoski limits lateral pressure on the knee joint and on the lower back, enabling many people who can no longer ski on 2 skis to continue to enjoy skiing. The monoski even helps skiers that have never been able to ride their two skis in powder. The first day on a monoski in powder can eliminate 30 years of frustration for skiers that can't control two skis in the fresh stuff.

"As the event gets more exposure, more people want to give monoskiing a try" says Gordon. Warren Miller films featured the Monoplooza event in it's 2006 feature film, "Off the Grid" where freeskiing cliff jumper, and vertical drop world record holder, Jamie Pierre rides a monoski. And Skiing Magazine recently covered skiing legend Jeremy Nobis as he discovered the thrill of riding the "mono", or one ski.

Once practiced by an eclectic few, the monoski is catching on as an alternative way to spend a day on the slopes. Ski celebrities with "rock star" status like Shane McKonkey, Micah Black, and famous ski personality Glen Plake all ride monoskis.

Young skiers and snowboarders who at first say "what is that thing?" are seen a few hours later carving in the snow with huge grins on their faces., as are seasoned snowriders of all ages, looking for a new thrill.

"It's a unique sensation, riding a monoski, people who try it get hooked and it's a lot like waterskiing, you start on two skis and move to one once you become more advanced, how many water-skiers would go back to two skis?" says Gordon, who is almost finished planning this year's event, to include an Alaskan fish fry, a kickoff celebration in two houses located in the Tahoe Keys, and gatherings around South Lake Tahoe.