Eau Claire, Wisconsin – On January 21-22, 2011 the Eau Claire Ski Club will host the 125th Annual Silver Mine Invitational at Silver Mine hill in Eau Claire. The invitational kicks off this year’s Central Division
Four-Hills Tour, part of the Super Tour US Cup. This year, Silver Mine will feature nine skiers from three foreign nations: Finland, Norway, & Poland. Canada will have representative as well.

The two-day event will feature multiple activities for all ages. Throughout the weekend there will be ski jumping, snowmobile rides, bonfires, beer, and concessions provided by the Flying Eagles Junior Ski Club. The tournament kicks off Friday night with skier registration at 5 PM, and happy hour at “Dooley’s at the Hill” beer tent from 5-7 PM. Jumping begins Friday night at 7 PM “under the lights,” and will be followed by fireworks and a live band in the beer tent. On Saturday, the jumping starts at 12 PM and features the Excel Energy
long-standing jump, where top jumpers are pitted against one another to see who can jump the farthest without falling. Awards will be presented following Saturday’s jumping events, in addition to a DJ, and the “125th Anniversary Dance” held at the beer tent starting at 8 PM.

Admission buttons to the Silver Mine Invitational are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate; kids 12 and under are free. Buttons are available at the following locations: Airtec Sports, Bridge Stop Convenience Stores, Dooley's Pub, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, Festival Foods, Mega Pick 'n Save West, Prestige Auto, Ray's Place, Sprint Street Sports, and Visit Eau Claire.

The estimated economic impact to the Eau Claire area is $54,000.

For more information, contact Dan Mattoon at (715) 833-0077.