Staff Reporter

When the sun sets on Mount Washington this Saturday night, the spotlights will break through the darkness and point directly at some of Canada鈥檚 hottest skiers and snowboarders.

The mountain鈥檚 preeminent winter event, the VIB Islander Afterdark Invitational, is back for its eighth annual and promises an aerial assault on the Island.

鈥淲e have all the snow we need to build some impressive features for the event this year,鈥� explains event coordinator Leah Knutson. 鈥淭he plan right now is to bring back the enormous Showtime Booter, plus we will be adding an additional quarter pipe for riders to session at the end of the event site.鈥�

The VIB beer garden opens at 7 p.m. and the show starts 30 minutes later in front of the Alpine Lodge. The Afterdark features an invite-only list of new-school riders from the Island, Lower Mainland, Quebec, and Whistler who will be busting out monster airs under the lights for a $3,000 prize purse.

The Islander Afterdark is a homecoming event for many of the riders. 鈥淚've spent most of my life at Mount Washington and it's where my passion for skiing started,鈥� says Ian Paone, who is originally from Victoria and now calls Whistler home. 鈥淕oing huge with your friends in front of your home mountain crowd...it's addictive!鈥�

The Afterdark Invitational is a rarity in the world of snow. Both skiers and snowboarders compete together on the same jump, on the same night in a jam session format. Competitors have the largest say in who takes home top prize, so even though the vibe is generally chill, the cash purse keeps things a bit edgy and competitive.

In the last two years, Liberty rider Carl Fortin has taken home the largest cash haul with impressive performances that wowed the crowds and fellow athletes. 鈥淭here will be nothing better than dethroning Carl in front of my hometown crowd,鈥� jokes Paone.

The night is capped off with the Naked DJ's spinning on the wheels of steel and Canadian indie artists Kings Without take their blend of roots, rock, and reggae to the stage for the VIB Afterdark Party in Fat Teddy's Bar and Grill.

The Islander Afterdark Invitational is supported by Vancouver Island Brewery, The North Face, Dakine, and 91.3 The Zone.

For more information on the Islander Afterdark Invitational and other Mount Washington events this winter, go to mountwashington.ca.

鈥� Mount Washington Alpine Resort