2009 Powder Video Awards and Reader Poll announce hosts and their online giveaway

LIVE WEBCAST THIS FRIDAY at www.POWDERAWARDS.com

The biggest night in the ski industry, the 2009 POWDER Video Awards and Reader Poll Presented by We Ski &Snowboard™, is only one day away. This Friday, January 23, the event will welcome a host of skiing's best and brightest stars to The Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colorado for a unique night honoring the greatest ski performances, tricks, films, cinematography and images. Ensuring this will be a night like no other, hosts Chris "Uncle E" Ernst and Luke Van Valin will return to usher us through the mayhem. An exclusive sponsor prize pack giveaway featuring ski goodies has also just been announced, and entry is open to all.

"When we started this event nine years ago, there was usually a clear cut winner and three or four contenders," says POWDER Editor Derek Taylor. "These days, it's a struggle just to narrow down five nominees from the 30 or so movies that are released every year. The level of skiing, cinematography and film production this year is unprecedented."

Known for his way with words and often a silly hat, Uncle E has hosted the POWDER Awards for the past six years. A ski industry icon, Ernst has announced for events including Lord of the Boards, The Gambler, Mayhem with Moseley, and most notably, the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. He is also the on-air host for ESPN and ABC for all skiing events in the Winter X Games.

Luke Van Valin will again join Ernst as co-host. Considered one of the more well-rounded and stylish skiers, Van Valin's MC skills have also gained him notoriety in recent years. Bouncing from coast to coast, he can be found with mic in hand at all of the major freeskiing events.

An exclusive online giveaway features a selection of goods from the event sponsors including: a Wii console and We Ski and Snowboard game, K2 PBR skis, Helly Hansen Men's Ekolab™ Jacket, Helly Hansen Women's Zera Jacket and Aspen/Snowmass Lift Ticket. Go to the Powder Awards giveaway page to enter.

Coinciding with the Winter X Games, the POWDER Video Awards and Reader Poll presented by We Ski &Snowboard honors the top 10 male and top five female skiers of the year as voted on by the general public, and the year's top ski films and filmmakers as chosen by a POWDER-appointed expert panel. Considered the "Academy Awards" of skiing, guests include the biggest names in skiing, a bevy of professional athletes and industry heavy weights, as well as surprise guest presenters, celebrities and entertainers.

To catch all of the action LIVE from the 2009 POWDER Video Awards and Reader Poll Presented by We Ski &Snowboard, watch the webcast at www.powderawards.com beginning with red-carpet arrivals at 7:30 p.m. MST on Friday, Jan. 23, followed immediately by the Awards show beginning at 8:00 p.m. MST.

Watch for We Ski &Snowboard, a fun and exciting new winter sports experience developed by Namco Bandai Games for Nintendo Wii™, which will be available beginning in March 2009.