Holler

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Registration is open for the Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic at Whitefish Mountain March 10-11, 2012.  It can be stressful snowboarding down a crowded slope trying to avoid hitting anyone near you. You never can go quite as fast as you want and one of these days you just want to let loose and fly down the run. That’s where boarder cross racing comes in. No need to avoid anyone; the best part of races are the multi athlete wrecks. More for observers than racers, but it’s all a good time when you’re sliding on snow at mach speeds. If you’ve ever wanted to break out your inner Jacobellis, the Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic at Whitefish Mountain Resort is just the event for you. The race takes place March 10-11 this year, but the party starts Friday night at the Craggy Range in downtown Whitefish. On Saturday, there is a banked slalom where people riding Chair 7 can watch all the novice riders wipe out, and Sunday is the day for big wrecks, and big air. Boarder cross races take place all day Sunday on a course full of jumps and rollers on the Goat Haunt run. It’s a great time for everyone watching and racing. The best part about boarder cross is no matter how good someone is, some gnarly 16 year old might slam into everyone and change the whole outcome of the race. That’s worth watching, for sure. The Hawaiian Classic started in 1999 in memory of Nate Chute, a well known local rider. His friends from all around the northwest still come back to Whitefish for the race every year bringing a jovial atmosphere, and the sun always shines bright for the race, which is a sweet treat for this perpetually cloudy mountain. If that doesn’t sound like a good time to you, I don’t think the $3550 cash purse will discourage you. Register early for the race this year by clicking on the events calendar at skiwhitefish.com and check out the video from last year:

Nate Chute

Whether you’re racing or watching, you will be feeling the aloha. Don’t forget your lei and your ukulele and dress for the party!