Spots in the World Cup or Winter Olympics could be on the line when more than 100 skiers from across the globe hit the slopes at Apex Mountain Resort later this month.
The resort, located about 45 minutes west of Penticton, is hosting an International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) NorAm Cup Moguls event from Feb. 20 to 23.
Considered the second-highest level of competition in North America, the NorAm Cup is designed to prepare athletes to compete on the World Cup circuit. The Apex-hosted event will mark one of the four NorAm competitions held this season across Canada and the United States.
"Winners of the NorAm Cup may earn a spot on World Cup teams for the following season and an opportunity to represent their nation at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games," the Freestyle Apex Club said in a press release.
This year's Apex FIS NorAm Cup event will feature both male and female athletes: 50 Canadians, 50 Americans, and 30 from outside North America.
The competition will take place on the mountain鈥檚 three-lane mogul run, highly visible for spectators from Apex Mountain Resort village.
Athletes will go down the 220-metre mogul course, perform aerial moves over two sets of jumps, and land safely to continue through more moguls before crossing the finish line.
"A panel of seven highly-ranked international judges will evaluate athletes on criteria, including smooth turns, bump absorption, jump difficulty, and execution," the club added in its release.
Planned events include:
鈥� Feb. 20 - Course Development
鈥� Feb. 21 - Practice
鈥� Feb. 22 - Single Moguls Competition
鈥� Feb. 23 - Dual Moguls Competition
All events are free to watch.
Apex Freestyle Club alumni Grady Parsons 鈥� as well as club athletes Jackson Kendell and Emelie McCaughey 鈥� will be performing forerunner duties.
