Skiers unite: Winter4Kids to host first ever NorAm Cup Parallel Event

A unique, international ski racing event will be held Friday in Vernon.
Schone Malliet is the CEO and president of Winter4Kids, a non-profit youth ski program. He's working in partnership with U.S. Ski and Snowboard to host the first ever NorAm Cup Parallel Event in the U.S.
“This particular format is exciting for spectators,” says Malliet. “It's incredible for athletes, but it's a way for kids to see here and say, ‘hey maybe that's something I want to do.’”
The NorAm Cup is the second highest level of professional ski racing behind the World Cup. The parallel slalom is a survive and advice format where elite athletes will race side-by-side, against each other rather than the clock, for a $75,000 prize.
“I've seen the list from the United States from U.S. Ski team members all across the country, then we will have Canadians come in and we may have a few world cup athletes,” says Malliet.
Malliet says general admission for the event is free if you make a reservation on the Winter4Kids website.
“We have a great relationship with the town and Mountain Creek, so we have parking at Mountain Creek, we have parking locally and then we have the opportunity [for] the spectators to enjoy beverages and food,” says Malliet.
As for the future of professional skiing in New Jersey, Malliet says he doesn't plan on stopping with just the NorAm Cup.
“I want us all as a community both from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to build on this and hopefully get a world cup event by 2022,” says Malliet.
The event is Friday, and the center is still looking for volunteers.