Marble Mountain making plans for ski, snowboard cross events

It may be a difficultsubject to digest at this time of year, but officials at Marble Mountain near Corner Brook are in the early stages of a plan that could see the resort welcome ski and snowboard cross events.

These extreme sports events are quickly gaining popularity, and Marble wants in on the action, saidPeter Buckingham, president of the Marble Mountain alpine race team.

"It's the growing part ofsnowboardingand skiing," he said in an interview.

"It's very exciting and therefore it's generating a lot of interest in alpine snow sports. Alpine Canada believes it's a vehicle for growth," Buckingham said.

The relatively new sports pits racers against each other,instead of the clock, as they race down an obstacle-filled course that includes bumps and sharp turns.

Managers and course design experts are studying the landscape at Marble to decide on a course site.

Officials say any changes will notbe made in time for the upcoming season.