When it comes to high expectations, few events hold a candle to the Jeep® King of the Mountain Series, now in its 14th season as the most prestigious race in professional snow sports. The heralded competition each year brings together a star studded line-up of Olympians, World Champions and National Champions competing for the richest cash payout in the industry on a stage before millions of television viewers on CBS Sports and spectators at top flight resorts nationwide. 

On the heels of a 2005-2006 season in which a record seven Jeep King of the Mountain athletes received invitations to represent their countries at the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, the event has put itself in position to not only surpass, but obliterate this total when the title of World Professional Champion goes back up for grabs. The first stop of the six-race tour is scheduled for December 2 at the award-winning Snowbird, Utah ski resort.

While the final roster will be announced in the coming weeks, confirmations have already been received from several of last year’s Olympians, including defending men’s Snowboarding World Professional Champion Graham Watanabe of Park City, Utah, and defending women’s 2006 Snowboarding World Professional Champion Doresia Krings of Austria. Early indications show a line-up for 2006-2007 that will be heavy on World Cup titlists, World Cup Champions, World Champions, National Champions and Winter X Games and Gravity Games gold medalists.

In addition to the roster of pre-qualified invited athletes, the Jeep King of the Mountain Series will continue to incorporate the highly popular National Open Qualifier system at each event, allowing top-notch amateur and professional ski and snowboard racers to earn a spot against the world’s best for a shot at the title of World Professional Champion. Among the racers taking part in qualifiers this past season included Winter Olympians Nate Holland and Marco Sullivan, U.S. Ski Team members Jake Zamansky and TJ Lanning, and U.S. Snowboard Team members Pete Thorndike, Eric Warren and Adam Smith, to name a few. Additional National Open Qualifier registration information can be found at www.jeepsports.com.

The appeal of the World Professional Skiing & Snowboarding Championships comes not only from the caliber of competition, but also the generous payoff and immense visibility available to the athletes. The event boasts the richest prize purse in the sport, topping $450,000 plus an additional $20,000 (U.S.) in bonuses from John Paul Mitchell Systems. Men’s and women’s Skiing and Snowboarding World Professional Champions also receive the keys to a new 2007 Jeep Patriot. Each race from the Jeep King of the Mountain Series is aired on CBS Sports, with additional coverage via national syndication.