Ski resorts stage springtime events for bronco riders, Paralympians

VANCOUVER – B.C. mountain resorts are hosting a series of springtime events ranging from the offbeat to the ultra-competitive.

Wrangle the Chute, at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort near Golden from March 23 to 24, is described as a wacky “freeride showdown” that combines skiing and riding. Activities include “a bucking bronco ride atop a custom kicking horse suspended between two snowcats,” says Tourism B.C. (www.kickinghorseresort.com)

At Sun Peaks Resort from March 28 to 31, elite Canadian and international para-alpine racers will compete in the Canadian National Para-Alpine Championships. As well, the Canadian Association of Disabled Skiers Festival, from March 24 to 29, is a competition featuring future Paralympians from across Canada. (www.sunpeaksresort.com)

Other events include:

— The Spring Loaded Telemark Festival at Silver Star Resort, near Vernon in the North Okanagan Valley, focuses on telemark and alpine-touring style skiing. There will be skills improvement clinics, equipment demos and recreational races. (March 22-24, www.skisilverstar.com)

— The Stoke to Spoke Race at Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a quadrathon combining skiing or snowboarding, biking, navigation on an obstacle course “and, of course, a frothy beverage at journey’s end,” says Tourism B.C. (April 13, www.revelstokemountainresort.com)

— The Sea to Sky 2013 Nordic Festival includes cross-country, biathlon and ski jumping at Whistler Olympic Park. (March 15-30, www.seatoskynordicfestival.ca)

— Trooper, the B.C. rock band, is returning as headliner for Fernival, the annual spring concert at Fernie Alpine Resort. (April 13, www.skifernie.com)