On Saturday, April 3rd the venerable Recco King of the Hill contest returned to Valdez, Alaska. Last held in 1999, "the King of the Hill challenges riders in terrain that is uncontrolled and limitless," says event founder Nick Perata.

Epic bluebird conditions greeted the over 50 competitors, including 11 women on Saturday. Light winds and fresh snowfall from the week before proved the perfect setting for the event's return.

Prior to the event, organizers warned competitors of the dangerous conditions inherent in Alaska, "This is not a ski resort," remarked head judge Julie Zell.

In one of the tensest moments, Tahoe legend Mike Basich sat perched and seemingly trapped among a highly exposed double line. For a good 90 seconds; onlookers wondered if he'd gotten in over his head. When asked by announcer Mark Sullivan to raise his hand if he was stuck, Basich ... didn't.

Seconds later he pointed it down one of the sketchiest double sets in Bro Bowl to the delight of the crowd below.

By day's end Jackson Hole local Travis Rice and Germany's Vera Jannsen were awarded King and Queen of the Hill respectively, after stringing together the best three runs judged on creativity, techincal difficulty and fluidity.

The return of the Recco King of the Hill, during Tailgate Alaska, marks a new dawn for freeriding in Alaska and big mountain competitions. Between the recent resurgence of events like Natural Selection, the North Face Masters, and the World Heli Challenge, the Recco King of the Hill will no doubt continue as the world's premiere freeride event.

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