The state’s biggest rivalry in high school alpine skiing will have a hometown showdown tonight (Friday) at Hickory Hills Ski Area.

The second annual Hans “Peppi” Teichner Town Slalom, named in honor of the local legend and U.S. Ski Hall of Fame inductee, will kick off at 5:30pm at the city-owned park. Traverse City Central, Traverse City West and the four-school cooperative Great North Alpine will compete at the event. 

“Last year’s inaugural ‘Peppi’ instantly became the race nearly every one of these athletes is now calling their favorite of the year,” says Ed Johnson, coach of TC West. “The ‘Peppi’ is the only event where racers will ski in front of and FOR fans, not just their moms, dads and little brothers.”

In 2017, students, faculty and families from participating schools and young skiers from area programs packed Hickory Hills to cheer on their favorite high school racers. "No other ski race offers this opportunity to such a wide local audience," according to event organizers.

Hans “Peppi” Teichner was a key figure in the the development of Michigan's ski industry, helping launch Sugar Loaf, Mt. Holiday and Hickory Hills. “This is a race that not only brings us together as a community, it honors a man who is considered the founding father of Michigan high school alpine racing,” says Ben Ferris, who coaches Great North Alpine, a cooperative between Central Lake, Elk Rapids, Grand Traverse Academ, and St. Francis high schools.

The race course will be set on Swede and Waterfall runs on the back of Hickory. The viewing area will be at the middle of the the run, accessible via a short path from Hickory’s parking lot. The race will kick off with a tribute to Teichner and will be followed by two separate runs of slalom. Team and individual winners will have their names engraved on the ‘Peppi’ trophy that will be on display in the new lodge at Hickory Hills. Seniors from each program will be honored in between the two runs. Additional lighting, a DJ and concessions will be offered at the event.