The North Face Ski Challenge 2009 offers young skiers the chance to show off their talents.

Do you love the thrill of cruising perfect corduroy? Want the chance to show off on the rails and runs? Think you’ve got what it takes to be Europe’s next top skier? Then don’t miss out on Europe’s premier ski event for young free skiers, The North Face Ski Challenge 2009.

The North Face is looking for competitors aged 12-18 to compete in the upcoming Ski Challenge Tour. The Tour allows both girls and boys to take part in freestyle and freeride events in the hope of qualifying for the finals in Val Thorens.

Open to all European residents born between 1990-1996, the Tour is arguably the most important competition for young skiers hoping to break into the circuit – the top freeskiing finisher in the 16-18-year old category at the Val Thorens finals will win two-year sponsorship contracts from The North Face, Dynastar and Lange.

The top three podium finishers in each category at the finals will also be invited to stay in Val Thorens for an additional three days of filming and photography and all finalists will be rewarded with a bundle of gear giveaways.

Keith Byrne, strategic marketing manager for The North Face says: “The top competitors staying on means they’ll take home something concrete from the Challenge, including a photo portfolio and video reel, with which they can bolster their skiing careers.”

The event allows all styles of mountain skiing, as each competitor competes in both big-mountain freeride and park and pipe freestyle contests, with this year’s event placing increased emphasis on avalanche awareness and mountain safety.

The tour schedule is as follows:
Garmisch, Germany Jan 31-Feb 1, 2009
Ruka, Finland Feb 7-8, 2009
Âre, Sweden Feb 14-15, 2009
Chamonix, France Feb 28-Mar 1, 2009
Jasna, Slovakia Mar 7-8, 2009
Val Thorens, France Mar 27-29, 2009 *Final*

For more information, and to get your application form, go to: thenorthface.com.