Atlas Snow-Shoe Company, the leader in snowshoe innovation and snowshoe racing, is the official snowshoe sponsor of the inaugural Teva Winter Mountain Games in Vail, Colo., February 10 – 12, 2012.

The human powered, environmentally friendly Teva Mountain Games, founded in 2002 has quickly grown to the point of hosting more than 2,500 adventure athletes and 40,000 spectators over the course of the annual four-day summer event. As a seemingly natural evolution, the Teva Mountain Games present the winter competition this season in it’s first year, offering events that include ice climbing, on-snow biking, telemark skiing, Nordic competitions, running, dog events and a Ultimate Mountain Man/Woman combination event.

“When creating events, we always look to those who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk in the outdoor industry to team up as partners,” said Shelley Woodworth, Vail Valley Foundation, organizers of the Winter Teva Mountain Games presented by Eddie Bauer. “In this spirit, we look forward to having Atlas Snowshoe Company as part of our snowshoe competitions at the inaugural winter celebration of mountain lifestyle.”

The cross-country snowshoe race brings competitors to the top of Vail Mountain, February 11, 2012 at 12:30 pm, for challenging 5k and 10k snowshoe courses that start at 10,000 feet in elevation. From running up Kloser’s Climb with variable snow conditions to corduroy-groomed areas and stints of deep powder, this sometimes single-track challenge will leave competitors gasping for air and earning their bragging rights. For those brave enough to take on the 10k challenge, a $4,000 prize purse will be awaiting the winner

“Provided Atlas’ nearly two decade long involvement in snowshoe racing and long standing relationship with Vail, it seemed a perfect fit for Atlas to get on board as a sponsor and to bring our Atlas Race Team’s top-tier trail racing ability to the first ever Teva Winter Mountain Games,” said Connor Folley, Marketing Manager, Atlas Snow-Shoe Company.