PARK CITY, Utah — Four U.S. resorts will host 23 World Cup ski or snowboard competitions for the 2008 season, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced. The lineup includes the American debut of a World Cup event with the newest Olympic ski discipline, ski cross, at Deer Valley Resort in Utah and the return of women’s downhill racing to Colorado’s Aspen Mountain.

“USSA is excited to add ski cross to the U.S. portion of the World Cup schedule as well as to see the return of a women’s World Cup downhill in this country,” said USSA Vice president of Events Annette Royle. “We couldn’t have such incredible competitions that showcase our sports to the world and inspire young Americans coming up the pipeline with Olympic aspirations if it were not for our strong venue partners — Aspen, Beaver Creek, Deer Valley and Lake Placid. They play a significant role in our quest to be the best in skiing and snowboarding.”

The United States will host seven alpine races, 12 freestyle contests and four snowboard competitions. The worldwide schedules were approved by the International Ski Federation (FIS), the international governing body for skiing and snowboarding, at its annual committee meetings in Portoroz, Slovenia.

The World Cup events at U.S. resorts in the 2008 season are:

ALPINE
Nov. 29-Dec. 2 – Beaver Creek, CO (men’s super combined, downhill, super G, giant slalom)
Dec. 7-9 – Aspen, CO (women’s downhill, super G, slalom)

FREESTYLE
Jan. 18-20 ??“ Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, NY and Lake Placid, NY (men’s and women’s moguls, aerials, moguls)
Feb. 1-2 – Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UT (men’s and women’s aerials*, ski cross, dual moguls*)

SNOWBOARDING
March 1 and March 3 ??“ Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid, NY (men’s and women’s snowboardcross and parallel giant slalom)