The Winter Games came at last to the United States, and numerous stars attended, among them Bing Crosby, Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, and future President, Richard Nixon. Walt Disney produced both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. A total of 665 athletes from thirty nations took part, and the Biathlon (a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting) entered the Olympic programme for the first time. The 50km Nordic ski race was held on the slopes of Mount McKinley. Although helmets were now in widespread use for most events, the heavy snows of the Sierra Nevada produced several spectacular falls and crashes.