Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Sunday River in Bethel, Maine, has a full plate of offerings for racers and racer-chasers to chew on in the month ahead.

The Visa U.S. Snowboarding Cup, the only U.S. World Cup stop of snowboardercross and parallel giant slalom, runs Feb. 26 to March 1. The event is expected to bring Maine's Seth Wescott, Olympic gold medalist, and Lindsey Jacobellis, Olympic silver medalist.

The Noreaster Disabled American NorAm runs March 18-20, when disabled athletes from around the country will compete in slalom, GS, and SuperG.

The 24^th Annual Maine Handicapped Skiing Ski-A-Thon fundraiser runs March 21, when skiers and riders have fun and raise money for a worthy cause. The event raised more than $304,000 last year, about 65 percent of the organization's annual budget.

The final No Bib Jib Rail Jam takes place March 22, when teams of four compete for top team, best trick, best crash, and best costume.

The 19^th Annual Eat the Heat Chili Cookoff and Firefighters Race is March 22, when teams of five firefighters in full regalia race through a slalom course clinging to a 50-foot length of hose. This event, too, is a fundraiser for Maine Handicapped Skiing. It's also a fabulous spectator event. Then there's the chili.