The North Face Ski Challenge presented by Gore-Tex is coming back next winter to provide a forum for the young up-and-coming skiers.

In 2009 the tour will visit:

• Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany): 31 January - 1 February
• Ruka (Finland): 7 - 8 February
• Åre (Sweden): 14 - 15 February
• Chamonix (France): 28 February - 1 March
• Jasna (Slovakia): 7 - 8 March

The tour will culminate in the final which will be held in Val Thorens, France from 27 - 29 March 2009. It will be a three day final, with one of the days being a Mountain Safety Day where the competitors will be taught about avalanche safety, avalanche rescue, first aid and mountain reading. Prizes will be up for grabs in the Avalanche Rescue competition on the first day.

As in previous years, there will be one full freeride day for the competitors to show off their skills all over the mountain, and a full freestyle day in a park that is bigger than ever before in Val Thorens. This year the top 12 skiers (the top 3 in all four categories) will be invited to stay for an extra 3 days in Val Thorens to shoot their own movie segment. As if that wasn't enough, there is still a sponsorship contract up for grabs from The North Face, Dynastar and Lange.

This year the competition has been altered in a few ways. One of these is the introduction of "Instinctive Freeride". The competitors will need to ski different slopes in different conditions without inspecting them beforehand.

There are also some new safety rules to ensure the competitors are as protected as possible:

• All competitors have to wear a helmet and a back protector for the freeride section of the competition.
• Competitors must carry an avalanches transceiver, probe and shovel for the freeride day. If you don't have this equipment you can rent it at each event.

Feedback from previous years has been listened to and so this year you can log onto the event website and apply online to every qualifying event. YOu can also download the application forms from the website to get your parents/guardians to sign them.

You can, once again, compete in as many qualifying rounds as you want, but there is a maximum of 75 skiers per event, so get your registrations in early if you want to head to one. The event is open to boys and girls born from 1990 to 1996.

Form more information on The North Face Ski Challenge, head over to their website.