November 24, 2009 (Steamboat Springs) – Double World Champion and four-time Olympian Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) fired up early on-snow training on a course at Steamboat Ski Area on Monday in preparation for a remarkable fifth run at the Olympic Games in February 2010.

“Steamboat’s efforts to provide a training track for me in November has made a huge difference with my final preparation for the season, allowing me to build actual time on-snow just a few minutes from my home,” said Lodwick. “To see the efforts that the Ski Corp. and entire crew at Howelsen Hill deliver year-in and year-out, means a lot to me and allows my teammates and I to focus on being in the best condition possible to reach our goals, especially during this Olympic year.”

While the mountain doesn’t officially open until Nov. 25, Lodwick worked out on cross country skis on a specially prepared course for America’s most accomplished nordic combined athlete at the Steamboat Ski Area. Joining Lodwick in training were teammates and fellow Steamboat natives Taylor Fletcher and Alex Miller. The long, groomed run provides the ideal pitch and length for significant interval cross country training and cardio conditioning. The course will be available to Lodwick and his teammates until they head out for competition.

“We’re fortunate and excited to be able to provide an on-snow track for Todd well before other locations,” said Andy Wirth, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation. “This community is all about supporting its athletes in working toward their goals and dreams; and, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Ski Town, U.S.A.(r).”

The U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team kicks off the competitive season in early December, but will be back in Steamboat Dec. 23-24 for the U.S. Olympic Trials in freestyle and nordic combined, a one shot, winner-take-all chance at making the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team.

Joining Lodwick, a former Steamboat Springs Winter Sport Club member, on the big hill for early season training were alpine athletes from the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club under the direction of alpine director and Olympic gold medalist, Deb Armstrong. The alpine team will run through on-snow drills over the next several days for balance and form as well as utilize small brush gates on Sitz and Vogue trails off the Christie Peak Express chairlift.

The resort is scheduled to open Nov. 25 with its traditional opening day benefit, Scholarship Day. On opening day all proceeds from specially priced $20 tickets are donated to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s Scholarship Fund.

“With snow in the past two weekends and consistent cold temperatures, we’re well ahead of getting the mountain ready for a fantastic opening day,” said Doug Allen, vice president of mountain operations for the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation. “With multi-million dollar improvements to our snowmaking system over the past three years, we’re seeing the snowmaking results firsthand and the benefit this new technology provides the resort and Winter Sports Club in terms of early season training opportunities.”

To stay up to date on Steamboat’s snow conditions visit the Steamboat website, view the Mountain Cam, photo-of-the-day, movie archives and register to receive the Straight Talk Mountain Report. Snow conditions will be updated as conditions change and can be accessed by also calling 970.879.7300.