U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, has announced today that Deer Valley Resort will serve as an Official Training Site for American freestyle ski athletes through 2022. The agreement will see U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes training on Deer Valley’s world-class moguls and aerial sites through the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China.

“Deer Valley’s Champion run is known as the premier run of the Freestyle World Cup,” said Luke Bodensteiner, Chief of Sport for U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “To have it available to our team for training throughout the season affords us world-class on-snow preparation nearby our Center of Excellence and the Utah Olympic Park, rounding out the best training situation that we could imagine. Deer Valley’s world-class snow and terrain is a huge asset for our team, and they’re fully committed to supporting our vision of being best in the world.”

Deer Valley is the annual preeminent stop on the FIS Freestyle World Cup circuit and has been hosting aerials and moguls events since 1999, including the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Freestyle skiing runs through Deer Valley’s history. The late Stein Eriksen, known as the “Father of Freestyle,” served as the resort’s Director of Skiing for more than 35 years and the resort has been an official training site for the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team since 2013. Most recently Deer Valley played host to the 2019 Aerials and Moguls disciplines during the FIS Snowboard-Freestyle-Freeski World Champs event during which three Americans podiumed at dual moguls on the final evening to a hometown crowd of over seven thousand screaming fans.

As part of the agreement, the U.S. Moguls team will train on Champion ski run in season (December to April annually). The Champion course is a champion-maker. Renowned as the longest and steepest moguls course on the World Cup circuit, athletes who podium on it are likely to be the athletes on Olympic podiums. U.S. athletes will have exclusive access to full length mogul lanes, including top and bottom jumps. Deer Valley will provide snowcat time for two course builds per season (excluding the World Cup build) and lift and/or snowmobile access along training lanes. If available, the White Owl ski run aerial site will also serve as a training opportunity for U.S. aerial athletes.

“Deer Valley’s long-standing commitment to freestyle competition isn’t only about hosting elite international competitions,” said Resort President and COO Todd Shallan. “We are honored to continue our relationship with U.S. Ski & Snowboard as an official training site for their mogul and aerial athletes as they continue their quest for Olympic Gold in 2022.”

For more information about U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Deer Valley Resort’s partnership, contact U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Tom Webb, at tom.webb@usskiandsnowboard.org.

###

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2019, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.

About Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Resort located in Park City, Utah, revolutionized the ski industry by providing the first-class service one would receive at a five-star hotel. The ski-only resort offers 21 chairlifts, 103 ski runs, six bowls, 300 annual inches of powder, 2,026 acres of alpine skiing, limited lift ticket sales, 14 restaurants, three elegant day lodges, hundreds of luxury accommodations and a renowned Ski School and Children’s Center. Deer Valley is honored to be ranked as the United States’ Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Awards for six consecutive years. For more information, please visit www.deervalley.com

PARK CITY, UTAH – U.S. Ski & Snowboard has confirmed today that Devin Logan, an athlete on the U.S. Freeski Team, has accepted a three-month sanction from USADA for an anti-doping rule violation regarding the use of a CBD product that contained higher than labeled levels of THC. The original sanction of six months was reduced to three months following Logan’s completion of a USADA anti-doping educational tutorial.

Logan’s three-month period of ineligibility began on December 7, 2018, the date she accepted a provisional suspension, and ends on March 6, 2019. Additionally, as the use of any illegal substance by U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes is expressly forbidden by the terms of the agreement U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes sign when they join the team, further corrective action was taken by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with Devin Logan as a result of the USADA tests.

“I made a serious mistake and I accept that completely,” said Logan. “I was using a CBD product that I felt was helping me, but I trusted that the product did not contain any more than the tiny trace elements of THC that it said on the packaging. After I was notified by USADA that I’d tested positive for THC we tested the product I was using and it was immediately clear that the levels of THC in the product were, in fact, much higher than labeled. However, I know this is not an excuse. I should not have trusted the product and I want this to be a serious lesson for anyone using CBD products. They may have benefits, but using CBD products comes with major risks and I am the proof of those risks. Whether you’re an athlete or anyone using CBD, be really careful, that’s what I want people to take from what I have been through. I certainly won’t be making that mistake again.”

“Devin has accepted full responsibility for the mistake she made, and this is an important lesson for anyone using CBD products,” said Tiger Shaw, President, and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Devin’s tests showed that she had ingested THC but she was unaware that the product she was using would lead to this sanction. That is not an excuse in any way, but it is an important point to note. Anybody using CBD products should be aware that they may contain THC, whatever the packaging says.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is a leading voice in the international fight against doping of all kinds, aiming to rid the world of the scourge of performance-enhancing drugs used by athletes to gain an unfair advantage, and the organization hopes that the lessons learned by Devin Logan will be taken on board by athletes worldwide.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Spyder, one of the world’s most recognizable ski brands, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the most decorated Winter Olympic organization, today announced the launch of an exclusive store on Amazon.com offering the Spyder and U.S. Ski Team’s co-branded gear to consumers.

Spyder x U.S. Ski Team apparel and accessories are designed and constructed with the help of U.S. Ski Team athletes to deliver top results as they train to compete against the best in the world. Spyder partners with Gore-Tex, the undisputed leader in fabric technology, to deliver waterproof, windproof and breathable technology across this collection. Versatility is also infused throughout the assortment with details such as jackets with removable helmet compatible hoods and goggle pockets, ski pants with removable suspenders and hand warmer pockets. Drawing its color inspiration from European runways, the collection has a distinct color palette of olive and army green paired with pops of yellow, that give audiences more choice and the opportunity to stand out on and off the mountain. 

A percentage of the proceeds from the sales of co-branded Spyder x U.S. Ski Team products supports the U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s efforts to provide resources to athletes who are inspired to be the best in the world.

“For 30 years Spyder has proudly developed and supplied product to the U.S. Ski Team,” said Nick Adcock, CEO of Spyder. “Teaming up with Amazon has allowed us to highlight these amazing athletes to a much broader audience than ever before and  raise funds to support their future success with the sale of these licensed products.”

“We are delighted to be working with Spyder and Amazon,” said Dan Barnett, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Ski fans now have a unique opportunity to access the great looks that they see on their favorite athletes wherever they are, whenever they want!”

The Spyder x U.S. Ski Team store on Amazon.com at amazon.com/usskiteam offers a capsule collection of t-shirts, hoodies, and hats featuring the Spyder and U.S. Ski Team logos. In addition, the store offers the full Fall 2019 Spyder x U.S. Ski Team “Speed Freaks” collection for pre-order, including sweaters, jackets, snowsuits, speed suits, ski pants, and accessories for men and women.

To learn more and stay up to date on Spyder and U.S. Ski & Snowboard, please follow @SpyderActive on social media.

About Spyder
Spyder is one of the world’s most recognizable and credible outdoor sportswear brands. Focused on enhancing the ski experience both on and off the mountain, Spyder prides itself on its advanced technical composition and style. Originally founded by David Jacobs, coach of the Canadian Ski Team and Bob Beattie, coach of the United States Ski team, Spyder’s roots run deep in the ski community. Pioneering its first padded ski sweater in 1978, and sponsoring the U.S. Ski Team since 1989, Spyder offers technical ski, fitness, and lifestyle apparel and accessories for men, women, and children. The highly sought-after brand is available in department stores, sporting goods stores, and specialty retailers throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, South Korea.

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2019, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org

About Authentic Brands Group
Authentic Brands Group (ABG) is a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company, which owns a portfolio of global entertainment and lifestyle brands. Headquartered in New York City, ABG manages, elevates, and builds the long-term value of more than 50 consumer brands and properties by partnering with best-in-class manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Its brands have a global retail footprint in more than 100,000 points of sale across the luxury, specialty, department store, mid-tier, mass, and e-commerce channels and more than 4,800 branded freestanding stores and shop-in-shops around the world. ABG is committed to transforming brands by delivering compelling product, content, business, and immersive brand experiences. It creates and activates original marketing strategies to drive the success of its brands across all consumer touchpoints, platforms, and emerging media. 

ABG’s portfolio of iconic and world-renowned brands includes Marilyn Monroe®, Mini Marilyn®, Elvis Presley®, Muhammad Ali®, Shaquille O'Neal®, Dr. J®, Greg Norman®, Neil Lane®, Thalia®, Michael Jackson® (managed brand), Nautica®, Aéropostale®, Juicy Couture®, Vince Camuto®, Herve Leger®, Judith Leiber®, Frederick's of Hollywood®, Nine West®, Frye®, Jones New York®, Louise et Cie®, Sole Society®, Enzo Angiolini®, CC Corso Como®, Hickey Freeman®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Adrienne Vittadini®, Taryn Rose®, Bandolino®, Misook®, 1.STATE®, CeCe®, Chaus®, Spyder®, Tretorn®, Tapout®, Prince®, Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, Above The Rim®, Hind®, Thomasville®, Drexel®, and Henredon®. For more information, please visit ABG-NYC.com.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) for ski and snowboard sports in the USA, has announced a four-year partnership with Charles Schwab in the category of brokerage, investment and financial services. The 2018-19 competition season will mark U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s 21st year partnering with the financial institution.

“This is an exciting time for us to be entering a new multi-year deal with Charles Schwab that will see us through the 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships in Park City, Utah, as well as the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing,” said Dan Barnett, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We are delighted to provide a platform for Charles Schwab to leverage the unrivalled B2B and client entertainment opportunities that our sport provides. We are proud to have Charles Schwab on board as a partner for the next four years. Their investment in us enables our athletes to fulfil their dreams of representing the U.S. and standing on podiums at World Cups, World Championships and, ultimately, the Olympic Winter Games.”

Charles Schwab’s partnership will focus on hospitality activations, providing premier experiences for key clients at domestic U.S. Ski & Snowboard events.

“As a proud sponsor of U.S. Ski & Snowboard for more than two decades, Schwab is committed to actively supporting athletes who are pursuing their dreams on the slopes, ramps, half-pipes and cross-country tracks,” said Derek Benbow, Schwab’s Managing Director of Corporate Sponsorships and Strategic Partnerships. “Just as U.S. Ski & Snowboard is focused on providing the right resources for winter athletes who are inspired to be the best, our purpose at Schwab is to champion every client’s goals with passion and integrity. Continuing this important partnership for the next four years demonstrates our passion for the sport and these amazing athletes.”                                                      

For more information about Charles Schwab’s partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, contact U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Marketing & Communications Director, Tom Webb, at tom.webb@usskiandsnowboard.org

Visa Remains Committed to Supporting the Winter Olympic Games and the Athletes Who Inspire Millions to Reach for their Dreams

PARK CITY, UTAH  – Visa (NYSE: V) and U.S. Ski & Snowboard today announced an eight-year sponsorship extension through 2026, including support of U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The agreement also establishes U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, as Visa’s only NGB sponsorship.

Through the partnership, Visa is the title sponsor and preferred way to pay at both the online U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Shop and the on-site merchandise experiences. When fans purchase team gear, whether shopping online or at domestic competition events, proceeds of each transaction will go towards supporting the team. Visa allows fans to complete seamless and secure payment transactions while supporting the dreams of U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes.

“We’re thrilled to renew our sponsorship deal with Visa,” said Dan Barnett, chief marketing officer, U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Having a prestigious, global brand like Visa support our organization makes it possible for our athletes to achieve excellence in their sports and continue to fight to be Best In The World. Visa continues to be a champion of the global Olympic movement and we are excited that their commitment for the next eight years will have such a positive, direct impact on our athletes.”

Visa first became the preferred payment partner and proud sponsor of U.S. Ski & Snowboard in 1986, the same year it became one of the founding members of The Olympic Partners (TOP) program, a worldwide committee managed by the IOC.

“We are proud to extend our sponsorship of U.S. Ski & Snowboard through the 2026 Olympic Winter Games,” said Chris Curtin, chief brand and innovation marketing officer, Visa. “Being on the front lines of helping these exceptional athletes fulfill their Olympic dreams is so important to our entire organization. We look forward to supporting U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s athletes on Team Visa.”

In addition to U.S. Ski & Snowboard being the only U.S. NGB that Visa sponsors, the agreement also extends into supporting major events that showcase U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes in the run-up to the Winter Olympic Games.

“We are excited to see the extensive work of our teams come to fruition,” U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Dan Barnett continued. “We are working closely with Visa to help boost the overall awareness of the sponsorship as well as the outstanding athletes competing for podiums. Our goal is to not only feature the exciting events of our sport but boost the overall popularity of winter sports by attracting a broader audience both domestically and internationally.”

Visa will also support athletes at all Toyota U.S. Grand Prix events. Athletes are currently participating in U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s hometown 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships presented by Toyota. The Championships are being held February 1 -10, 2019, at Solitude Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and Park City Mountain.

A suite of inspirational digital assets will also be co-produced by Visa and U.S. Ski & Snowboard and launched throughout the season. Each digital series will take fans behind the scenes with U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and into their lives both in and out of competition as they journey across the world in pursuit of reaching the podium. This content will feature the dynamic athletes of U.S. Ski & Snowboard as well as Team Visa athletes who are on the road to Tokyo 2020.

Since 2000, Visa has been committed to the development and support of athletes worldwide when it founded the Team Visa program. To date, more than 400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes have taken advantage of tools, resources, and support needed to help them achieve their dreams.

For more information about Visa’s support of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, contact U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Marketing & Communications Director, Tom Webb, at tom.webb@usskiandsnowboard.org.

###

About Visa
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and a driving force behind the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit usa.visa.com/aboutvisa.

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is an Olympic sports organization providing leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coached, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. Established in 1905, U.S. Ski & Snowboard receives no direct government support, operating solely through private donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund athletic programs to assist athletes in reaching their dreams. The organization is based in Park City, UT. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski & snowboard sports in the USA, announced today a multi-year partnership with Pacifico®, making the adventurous, Pilsner-style lager the official beer partner of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team.

“It’s exciting to bring a new brand into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard family. Our fans are spirited, and we are excited for them to engage with the Pacifico brand at our many dynamic venues at our domestic events over the next four years.” U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Chief Marketing Officer Dan Barnett

As part of the partnership, Pacifico will receive title sponsor rights to the snowboard events during the 2019 World Championships in Utah Feb. 1-10. These rights will include prominent Pacifico branding for snowboard halfpipe, snowboardcross, slopestyle, and big air events, as well as activation space in the vendor villages for experiential marketing opportunities.

In addition, Pacifico will be the founding partner for the highly anticipated City Big Air Series, premiering in 2019 and running annually for three years. The City Big Air series will be held in a different major metropolitan area each year and announcements for the showcased venues will be forthcoming.

To build on Pacifico’s connection with action sports and competitions, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard sponsorship will run through 2022 and the next Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Pacifico will engage and activate with fans, as well as receive branding rights, at all domestic World Cup events hosted by U.S. Ski & Snowboard for the next four years, including alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle and snowboard events. Pacifico will also establish an athlete ambassador program, highlighting high profile, legal drinking age athletes as they train and compete towards reaching podiums.

“On behalf of the Pacifico brand, we are very excited to be the Official Beer Partner of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team. Pacifico is brewed for those who follow their own path, and this team is made up of athletes that are pioneers in their sport.  We look forward to sharing Pacifico’s independent spirit with their fans.” Pacifico’s Senior Director Matt Escalante.

For more information about U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Pacifico’s partnership, contact U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Tom Webb, at tom.webb@usskiandsnowboard.org.