Wrangle the Chute starts today in Kicking Horse and Faction Rider, Alex Wall will be back to defend his titile, check out this report from Doglotion:

Alex Wall, last years winner. Photo by Dom Koric

It’s that time of year again… get out your western gear and fat skis and get set for one of the most unique two-day big-mountain showdowns of the year. Wrangle the Chute 2011 returns to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort February 4th-6th, 2011. The showdown combines three elements including big mountain lines, a manicured park jump, and just for the fun of it, a bucking bronco ride on our very own steed, E.J. Hector. If you want to prove you are the best all around skier, this is the event for you.

Just below the event venue at the mid-mountain cafe, dubbed ?Heaven?s Door Yurt,? will be best seats in the house with a Red Bull lounge set up on the patio. Live DJ?s will spin tunes as you watch the athletes land feet away then try their luck on the hand powered bronco. Spectators need but just a lift ticket to watch the action go down. The barbecue will be smoking with all sorts of propane fuelled goodness and liquid relief will be provided by Big Rock Breweries and the one and only Red Bull.

The action gets underway at high noon on both Saturday, February 5th and Sunday, February 6th with each participant getting one run each day to showcase their skills. On Sunday afternoon, shortly after the final rider rolls in, the new champions will be crowned. Although Wrangle the Chute is all about good times and fun skiing, stakes will be high with a minimum $1000 to first place for Men and $500 for Women as well as more prizes than you could shake a stick at.

Returning again after its first year is the Wrangle the Shoot Photography Competition. Aimed towards up-and-coming or aspiring photographers, this one day photo event will take place Saturday, February 5th with some of the region?s best photographers shooting the event. Photographers will have VIP access to the event site between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, February 5th, 2011. At the end of the day, you will have until 7pm to tweak and edit your top 5 shots, upload the photos on a memory stick together with a Bio Sheet, and get it into the hands of the Events Team. We will then print your photos and bio and display them in the Day Lodge where the BMC after party will be taking place.

The winning photographers will be chosen based on five categories:

Best Action for $150

Best Landscape for $150

Best Lifestyle for $150

People?s Choice Overall for a 2011/12 Season?s Pass

Promoter?s Choice Best Photo as decided by a panel of judges for $500.

Lastly, if you?re a poker fan, head on in to the Texas Hold?em Poker Tournament hosted by the Big Mountain Center. DJ?s will be on-site spinning tunes and keeping the party going. Show up to play poker, vote in the photography contest, or watch the mayhem ensue.