That's exactly what state tourism officials intend to promote as filming begins this week for a new television show called "Nevada Passage," produced by a Hawai'i company.

The adventure program will tout Nevada's lesser-known outdoor sites as 10, two-person teams compete around the state in a variety of events ranging from rockclimbing and whitewater rafting to mountain biking and sandboarding.

"Nevada is known for its neon but we've got an awful lot of nature," Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt said today during a news conference at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area.

Hunt, a former Las Vegas lounge singer who chairs the Nevada Commission on Tourism, said the show will help broaden the state's appeal.

In announcing the project at the 20th Governor's Conference on Tourism in Reno December, she described it as "a combination of the `Amazing Race' and `Survivor."'

So far, television stations in more than 50 markets have committed to airing the syndicated, one-hour program later this year and in 2006. It's expected to draw about 2 million viewers, said Chris Chrystal, a spokeswoman for the tourism commission.

The state has budgeted about $500,000 for "Nevada Passage," Chrystal said. It's being produced by TEAM Unlimited, a Hawai'i-based company specializing in outdoor competitions around the country.

The six-stage event starts tomorrow and ends Tuesday. It begins with rockclimbing in Red Rock Canyon outside Las Vegas and racing jet skis at Lake Mead.

Next, the teams move to Ely for off-roading, mountain biking and trekking near Elko and sandboarding just east of Fallon at the towering Sand Mountain.

Points will be totaled at each of the events and the racers will be transported to the venue of the next day's competition.

The competition concludes with kayaking on the Truckee River at a new whitewater park in downtown Reno.

The participants include lawyers, pilots and firefighters among other professions. Their ages range from 25 to 57.

Sponsors said the competition isn't meant to be extreme. Rather, the activities are supposed to be inviting, something anybody in reasonably good health could do.

The oldest team member is Kent Robison, 57, a lawyer in Reno — one of three participants from Nevada. Robison said it is about time that the state started promoting ecotourism. He said the casinos, which helped build this state, have taken center stage for so long.

But he understands why the state's outdoor spots have been neglected.

"That's not where the money is — yet," Robison said.