The long tradition of European city Big Airs has a newcomer! The Sosh Big Air will blast off on Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2016 in Annecy, France.

For years now, big-air skiers have kicked off their competitive seasons with what’s informally known as the “European city big-air circuit.” From Zurich’s freestyle.ch to the London’s Freeze Big Air to Budapest’s Fridge Festival, European metropolises have historically offered a string of fall big-air events to ramp up the hype for the winter season to come.

In-city scaffolding big airs have become a staple of the European freeski scene. Earlier this year, Oslo hosted its first X Games Big Air on a downtown scaffolding jump. In a few months, the action will come to Annecy for the Sosh Big Air. Photo: David Malacrida

Unfortunately many of these events have dropped off the scene in the past few years — so it’s great news that a brand-new event has arrived to keep this tradition alive. On September and October 1 of this year, the city of Annecy, France will host the first Soch Big Air, a two-day event with a qualifying round for “30 handpicked athletes” who will duke it out for the chance to compete against 17 world-class skiers in the finals.

Which way to the jump? Photo: David Malacrida

The details on the format are still to be released, but organizers promise that “each skier will have the chance to showcase their creative style in this one-of-a-kind big air format.” And the invite list looks to be an interesting mix of not just classic big-air skiers, but also halfpipe riders and street talents as well.

Here’s a glimpse at the first eight invited skiers — keep a lookout for more invitations and info about the Sosh Big Air here on Downdays and at soshbigair.com.