Off The Beaten Path

Cowboy Downhill - 12th January 2006

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO—January 12, 2006-- ProRodeo Champions from across North America will convene in Steamboat – Ski Town, U.S.A.® – for the 32nd Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill on Tuesday, January 17, 2006.

"The Bud Light Cowboy Downhill is an event highlight of both the rodeo and ski seasons, having become one of the most unique events in the country that the whole family can enjoy together,” said Andy Wirth, vice president of sales & marketing for Steamboat. "This event is a tribute to the original rodeo cowboy. The combination of Steamboat’s genuine friendliness, real western heritage and world-class skiing on over 20 feet of pure Champagne Powder® snow this season has made our town and resort the ideal setting for this event for over three decades.”

The Cowboy Downhill started back in 1974 when Larry Mahan, six-time All-Around World Champion cowboy, and Billy Kidd, Steamboat’s Director of Skiing & Olympic medalist, decided it would be fun to invite a few of the ProRodeo stars from the Denver Stock Show up to Steamboat for a day of skiing and racing fun. Today, it has grown into one of the most unique ski rodeos in the world with up to 100 ProRodeo cowboys trading in their spurs for skis and snowboards in a western-style race to the finish line.

The day’s events begin with the dual slalom race at 1:30 p.m. on Headwall. After negotiating the slalom course and on-course jump, the cowboys must lasso a person, saddle a horse, and cross the finish line in the fastest time and all in one piece. The grand finale of the 32nd Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill is a chaotic western Stampede on skis and snowboards. The Stampede utilizes a mass start and pits cowboy against cowboy in a winner takes all race down Headwall. The greatest challenge for the winner is getting out of the way of a hundred other cowboys hurling down the hill in hot pursuit.

All Bud Light Cowboy Downhill participants must be entered in the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (www.nationalwestern.com) in Denver scheduled Jan. 7-22, 2006; be a member of the ProRodeo Cowboys Association (www.prorodeo.org); and wear chaps and cowboy hats to compete in the event.

Festivities for this year’s 32nd Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill include an afternoon western celebration in Gondola Square featuring: Community Ag Alliance; 4-H farm animals; food and refreshments at The Bear River Bar & Grill; a learn-to-rope clinic; and commemorative Bud Light Cowboy Downhill logo wear and souvenirs. After the races, ProRodeo cowboys will be on hand signing autographs.

Again this year, Steamboat’s Big Country radio station, KBCR 96.9 FM, has been named the official radio station of the Bud Light Cowboy Downhill. KBCR will be course-side, broadcasting live throughout the event.

Experience Steamboat this season with a variety of winter vacation packages and specials offering a day and night free. Steamboat Central Reservations®, which represents the majority of the lodging properties in the area, now offers exclusive online iCORIS technology, allowing users to book their entire vacation online. Call toll-free (800) 922-2722 or visit steamboat.com. Stay up to date on conditions throughout the season by going online to steamboat.com and bigsno.com or call the snow report line, 970-879-7300.

The world’s largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch, Inc, brews Bud Light, the best selling beer in the United States and the number one beer in the world. Bud Light is the official sponsor of the Cowboy Downhill in Steamboat. For 32nd Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill event information, schedule and images, please visit: http://www.steamboat.com/cowboy