Pro snowboarders to line up Lake Tahoe Heavenly High Roller Hold 'Em big air competition

Heavenly is raising the stakes, and it’s no bluff, as the south shore Lake Tahoe resort plays a full house of big-air specialists. Heavenly Mountain Resort announced Chas Guldemond, Ulrik Badertscher, Gjermund Braaten, Sage Kotsenburg and Torstein Horgmo as the first five competitors in High Roller Hold ’Em on Saturday, April 6.

In partnership with Snow Park Technologies and hosted by two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, High Roller Hold ‘Em combines the thrill of a high-flying big air competition with the cunning strategy of Texas Hold ‘Em poker.

“Heavenly has really upped the ante by bringing in these high-level athletes to High Roller Hold ‘Em,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “These guys really know how to compete, and with $50,000 at stake, they better be ready to go all in.”

"The High Roller contest has a stacked lineup this year,” said White. “With guys like Torstein and Sage competing, I'm honored to be part of it."

Tahoe local, Guldemond, 25, was 3rd in Slopestyle at the 2013 Burton US Open, 4th in Slopestyle at the 2013 X Games Aspen, 1st at the 2013 Copper Grand Prix in Slopestyle, and 2nd in Slopestyle at the 2012 Dew Tour.

"I am excited for the High Roller Hold ‘Em event because it is a really unique concept,” said Guldemond. “Riding with all my good friends in my home zone is going to be a blast!"

Badertscher, a 24-year-old from Norway, placed 5th in Big Air at the 2013 X Games Aspen, 5th at the 2012 Dew Tour in Big Air, 2nd in Slopestyle at the 2012 Burton US Open and he took 1st at the Oakley and Shaun White Beijing Air & Style in 2011.

Braaten, 22, was 8th in Slopestyle at the 2013 X Games Aspen and placed 3rd at the Toyota Big Air 2013 and 4th in the Big Air Moscow.

Kotsenburg, 19, holds a Dew Cup title, Silver medal in X Games Slopestyle, Bronze medal in X Games Big Air, Silver medal in X Games Tignes Slopestyle and took 2nd in Dew Tour Big Air..

Horgmo, 26, placed 2nd at the 2013 Burton US Open in Slopestyle, 1st in Slopestyle at the 2013 Burton European Open, holds two gold medals and a silver medal in X Games Aspen Big Air and is a participant in the 2013 X Games LA Real Snow Backcountry.

"I'm stoked to be a part of the new format Big Air event at Heavenly,” said Horgmo. “Any night time event with SPT and pyrotechnics involved is sure to be FUN!"

High Roller Hold ’Em will take place on the World Cup run at Heavenly with a monster big-air jump created by SPT. This high-production, signature night-time event, which will also feature Red Bull’s DJ Goldenchyld from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Heavenly Angels, an exhibition with local athletes, and pyrotechnics, is also sponsored by Red Bull and GoPro and is slated to stream live on ESPN3.