X Games Aspen 2016 – More freeski athletes announced

The X Games has just announced the first wave of athletes for X Games Aspen 2016. Here are the updated freeski athlete invites. The Swiss Big Air triple threat of Elias Ambühl, Kai Mahler and Luca Schuler is back alongside fan-favorite Henrik Harlaut and last year’s champ Vincent Gagnier. On the women’s front, Tiril S. Christiansen will go tête-á-tête with Emma Dahlström in what’s sure to be an interesting match-up in women’s slopestyle.

Check xgames.com for more information on the latest wave of invites.

BIG AIR – MEN

SUPERPIPE MEN

SLOPESTYLE MEN

SUPERPIPE WOMEN

SLOPESTYLE WOMEN

FWQ and Freeride Junior Tour dates announced

The 2016 winter season is ramping up as athletes around the world begin to prepare for the Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) and Freeride Junior Tour (FJT) by Dakine. Riders will battle it out on the FWQ and FJT against aspiring freeriders of all ranks in over 100 competition events all over the world. Check out the updated schedule, including the legendary resorts, now available on freerideworldtour.com. Stay tuned to the FWQ and FJT Facebook Pages to be the first to know when event registrations go online!

The 2016 edition of the Freeride World Qualifier is guaranteed to host an even higher level of competition this year as riders give it their all to have a shot at graduating to the SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR. With nearly 60 total FWQ competitions – over 40 competitions being held in Region 1 (Europe/Oceania) and 20 in Region 2 (Americas) – riders will have ample opportunity to participate in qualifier events. Riders from all over the world will compete in events ranked in importance from 1-4* with an accumulating point system. Additionally, in certain European countries, riders will have the privilege of earning the prestigious title of national champion. The top riders from each of the two regions and disciplines will earn a seat on the Freeride World Tour for the 2017 season.

Since 2011, the Freeride Junior Tour has served as a pivotal role in developing top riders and encouraging safe freeriding practices in mountain environments for young riders aged 14-17. FJT competitors will compete on an event ranking system of (1-3), similar to the FWQ, allowing young riders to compete at affiliated 3 events such as Chamonix, Fieberbrunn, and Verbier on junior-specific venues. Both regions will host a combined total of nearly 75 events (20 FJT and 50 IFSA Juniors) during the 2016 season, allowing these young guns to develop their skills in a variety of competition venues throughout the season.

Registration for each event opens seven weeks before the competition date and remains open until four weeks before the competition date. Don’t miss your chance to register for the upcoming 2016 FWQ/FJT season!

Stay tuned to freerideworldtour.com to stay up on the latest news, and follow along as the riders train for next winter’s historic campaign.

FREERIDE WORLD QUALIFIER UND FREERIDE JUNIOR TOUR: DIE TERMINE!

Die Wintersaison 2015/16 startet durch! Die Teilnehmer des Freeride World Qualifiers (FWQ) und der Freeride Junior Tour (FJT) bereiten sich auf heiße Duelle vor. Bei über hundert Wettkampfterminen in aller Welt kämpfen sie um Punkte für die Gesamtwertungen. Den aktuellen Kalender inklusive der Austragungsorte findest du ab sofort unter freerideworldtour.com. Folge dem FWQ und der FJT auf Facebook, um als Erster zu erfahren, wann die Registrierung für die einzelnen Events beginnt!

Der FWQ 2016 bietet ein höheres Wettkampfniveau als je zuvor. Die Rider werden alles geben, um sich einen der begehrten Plätze für die SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR (FWT) zu sichern. Fast 60 FWQ-Contests – 40 in Region 1 (Europa/Ozeanien) und 20 in Region 2 (Nord- und Südamerika) – geben den Ridern jede Menge Möglichkeiten, ihre Skills zu beweisen. Die Events sind nach ihrer Bedeutung in 1- bis 4-Sterne-Contests mit unterschiedlicher Punktevergabe eingeteilt. Die besten Rider beider FWQ-Regionen qualifizieren sich für die FWT 2017. In einigen europäischen Ländern – darunter Österreich mit der Austrian Freeride Series – kämpfen die Rider zudem um den Titel des nationalen Freeride-Champions.

Die FJT spielt seit 2011 eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Entwicklung junger Top- Fahrer und der Vermittlung sicherer Verhaltensweisen beim Freeriden. Die Teilnehmer zwischen 14 und 17 Jahren kämpfen auf 1- bis 3-Sterne-Events um Punkte. Die besten nehmen an den 3-Sterne-Events der Freeride Junior Tour by Dakine teil, die parallel zu den FWT-Contests in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen und Verbier auf eigenen, gut für Junioren geeigneten Hängen stattfinden. In beiden Regionen werden während der Saison 2015/16 insgesamt fast 75 Events ausgetragen, auf denen die Young Guns ihr Können zeigen und weiterentwickeln können.
Die Registrierung für die einzelnen Events beginnt jeweils sieben Wochen vor dem Wettkampftermin und ist dann drei Wochen geöffnet. Versäume es nicht, dich zu einem FWQ- oder FJT-Event der Saison 15/16 anzumelden!

Die neuesten Nachrichten sowie aktuelle Hintergrundberichte über die Saisonvorbereitung der Athleten finden sich auf www.freerideworldtour.com

OUT NOW: winter schedule for Snowpark Gstaad

When your first steps in the morning are checking the mountain tops for white spots, you are definitely infected by winter fever. However, the colour that always puts a smile on the faces of freeskiers, especially delights a certain group of people: the Snowpark Gstaad shape crew at Hornberg. This winter, park designer David Mahnig and his crew will create a fabulous setup and celebrate the year 2016 with some awesome events.

The Snowpark Gstaad is already known far beyond the borders of the Berner Oberland and a popular venue for freeskiers during winter time. A short extract of the setup register will heat up the anticipation for future shred sessions: among other things, in the season of 2015/16 a wallride spine, a 8m down rail, a 7m rainbow tube, a 8m curved box and a 10m corner will ornament the snow at Hornberg.
The four park areas turn the Snowpark Gstaad into a place-to-be on the mountain for beginners and advanced riders. At the beginner area, everyone can take the chance to test small kickers and do his first slide attempts on the basic butter boxes. Those who already know the freestyle basics, will spend most of their time at the medium and jib area. Here, you can find kickers with tables from 5m to 9m and some tubes in different lengths. In the meantime, some more skills are needed in the advanced area where the grand kickers are lined up in a row. Everyone looking for some longer air time, can find it here at the 10 to 16m tables.

Events, events, events
The good mix out of jib and kicker lines makes the Snowpark Gstaad the perfect freestyle practice venue for ambitious young guns. Those who train hard, should get the chance to demonstrate their skills under contest conditions and compete with other riders. Thus, this season 2015/16 Gstaad will once again host the Mountain Rides Open on the 23rd of January. But that’s only the beginning of a series of events at Hornberg.

In February, all girls should have their twin-tips ready. On the 20th of February 2016 the Girls Shred Session is going to take place at Snowpark Gstaad for the second time. Shredding together is simply much more fun!

In March we will one more time party hard at the SnowTunes, with a chill area and a DJ who is taking care of the right party mood on the 20th of March. The new season 2015/16 is going to be loud!

You want more? Have a look back and check last season’s highlights at this freeski edit! You can find all news and updates about the events and the setup at the Snowpark Gstaad website and the Facebook fanpage.

Freeride World Qualifier und Freeride Junior Tour: Die Termine!

Lausanne, Schweiz, 16. November 2015 – Die Wintersaison 2015/16 startet durch! Die Teilnehmer des Freeride World Qualifiers (FWQ) und der Freeride Junior Tour (FJT) bereiten sich auf heiße Duelle vor. Bei über hundert Wettkampfterminen in aller Welt kämpfen sie um Punkte für die Gesamtwertungen. Den aktuellen Kalender inklusive der Austragungsorte findest du ab sofort unter freerideworldtour.com. Folge dem FWQ und der FJT auf Facebook, um als Erster zu erfahren, wann die Registrierung für die einzelnen Events beginnt!

(Foto: T. Lloyd/FWT)

Der FWQ 2016 bietet ein höheres Wettkampfniveau als je zuvor. Die Rider werden alles geben, um sich einen der begehrten Plätze für die SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR (FWT) zu sichern. Fast 60 FWQ-Contests – 40 in Region 1 (Europa/Ozeanien) und 20 in Region 2 (Nord- und Südamerika) – geben den Ridern jede Menge Möglichkeiten, ihre Skills zu beweisen. Die Events sind nach ihrer Bedeutung in 1- bis 4-Sterne-Contests mit unterschiedlicher Punktevergabe eingeteilt. Die besten Rider beider FWQ-Regionen qualifizieren sich für die FWT 2017. In einigen europäischen Ländern – darunter Österreich mit der Austrian Freeride Series – kämpfen die Rider zudem um den Titel des nationalen Freeride-Champions.

(Foto: T. Llloyd/FWT)

Die FJT spielt seit 2011 eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Entwicklung junger Top- Fahrer und der Vermittlung sicherer Verhaltensweisen beim Freeriden. Die Teilnehmer zwischen 14 und 17 Jahren kämpfen auf 1- bis 3-Sterne-Events um Punkte. Die besten nehmen an den 3-Sterne-Events der Freeride Junior Tour by Dakine teil, die parallel zu den FWT-Contests in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen und Verbier auf eigenen, gut für Junioren geeigneten Hängen stattfinden. In beiden Regionen werden während der Saison 2015/16 insgesamt fast 75 Events ausgetragen, auf denen die Young Guns ihr Können zeigen und weiterentwickeln können.

 (Foto: J. Lloyd/FWT)

Die Registrierung für die einzelnen Events beginnt jeweils sieben Wochen vor dem Wettkampftermin und ist dann drei Wochen geöffnet. Versäume es nicht, dich zu einem FWQ- oder FJT-Event der Saison 15/16 anzumelden!

Die neuesten Nachrichten sowie aktuelle Hintergrundberichte über die Saisonvorbereitung der Athleten finden sich auf www.freerideworldtour.com

Folge dem FREERIDE WORLD QUALIFIER AUF FACEBOOK

Folge der FREERIDE JUNIOR TOUR AUF FACEBOOK

And the 2015 Downdays European Skier of the Year is…

The cat is out of the bag! From big mountain-heroes to next-generation park shredders, we asked you, the European ski community, to help us decide this year’s male and female Downdays European Skier of the Year, and you’ve made your choice!

And the winners are: Lisa Zimmermann and Noah Albaladejo!

On the women’s side, Lisa battled her way through a stacked field of competitors, from slopestyle heavyweights to Freeride World Tour rippers, to face off against freeskier-filmmaker Sandra Lahnsteiner in the final round of voting. In addition to winning the 2015 FIS Slopestyle World Championships in Kreischberg, Germany and pioneering the women’s switch double cork 1080 last season, Lisa can add another feather to her cap: 2015 Downdays European Skier of the Year!

For the men, Noah worked his way through an equally competitive field, knocking out challengers like French backcountry blaster Julien Lange, FWT dominator Jeremie Heitz, and finally Henrik Harlaut to reach the finals against the up-and-coming 22-year-old German park phenom Lukas Joas.

Humble as always, Noah even encouraged his fans to vote for other competitors—but the show of love for the 22-year-old skier from Andorra, who won this year’s B&E Invitational and filmed with Level 1 Productions, was simply too great.

Thanks to everyone who voted and to all of our valiant competitors, and congratulations again to Lisa and Noah!

Downdays European Skier of the Year FINALS – Voting open now!

It’s been a long, tough road, but finally two men and two women have fought their way into the final round of the Downdays European Skier of the Year contest! Now you get to decide – who will take home the title?

On the women’s side, freeski veteran and “Shades of Winter” film producer Sandra Lahnsteiner goes head-to-head with German park phenom Lisa Zimmermann. For the men, young “Legs of Steel” talent Lukas Joas has stepped up to challenge Spanish styler Noah Albaladejo.

Now it’s your turn! A few more clicks will help decide which of these outstanding skiers gets to take home the honor of 2015 European Skier of the Year. Voting is open until Monday, November 16, 8am CET.

[socialpoll id=”[socialpoll id=”2308606″]

[socialpoll id=”[socialpoll id=”2308607″]

Save The Dates ! B&E Invitational 2016 – #3rdEdition

A UNIQUE CONCEPT FOR A UNIQUE EVENT
In 2014, Phil Casabon (CAN) and Henrik Harlaut (SWE), an indivisible pair of freeskiing stars, created a never before seen concept by building a completely original course and inviting the world’s best freeskiers to join them for an epic shred session. After a successful second edition in 2015, with over 5,000 spectators onsite and 50,000 unique viewers online, B&E Invitational is back with another incredible roster of riders, a bigger feature and even more epic live-music acts.

AN EVEN MORE CREATIVE SHAPE
A true «skatepark on snow», the 2016 B&E Invitational course is one of a kind and possibly the most creative snow feature ever built. Famous for its massive size and its innumerable options, this year’s course will only be revealed to the athletes and spectators during the event’s first training session.

MORE MUSIC FOR TWICE THE FUN
To highlight the important link between freeskiing and music, the B&E Invitational will be hosting internationally renowned artists such as Walshy Fire from Major Lazer and, following Masta Killa’s incredible performance in 2015, another member of the Wu-Tang Clan for a series of unforgettable concerts.

A LIST OF INTERNATIONAL RIDERS: LEGENDS AND MEDALLISTS
Joining Henrik & Phil in the first group of invited riders are Tom Wallisch, Jossi Wells, Noah Albaladejo, and the American freeski legend Tanner Hall. More information about the riders in the Media Kit linked blow and in the PR letter attached.

THE FIRST INVITED RIDERS (6 of 24)
Henrik Harlaut
Phil Casabon
Tom Wallisch
Tanner Hall
Noah Albaladejo
Jossiah Wells

2 WILD CARDS TO WIN A TICKET TO RIDE WITH THE PROS
Following the success of the 2015 edition, Henrik and Phil wanted to give the chance again for two riders (amateur or pro) the opportunity to win a wildcard to the event and ride with the pros. The “Be @ B&E Invitational” online video comp will take place on the web from Dec 1st, 2015 to Feb 1st, 2016.

TENTATIVE PROGRAM:
Tuesday March 8th:
Riders Arrival

Wednesday March 9th:
12pm-6pm: Skiing and Shooting

Thursday March 10th:
12pm-6pm: Skiing and Shooting
5pm-7pm: Pre-Opening Après-Ski at Boubou Bar with DJ
Mike Rock

Friday March 11th:
1pm-3:30pm: Warm Up
4pm-6:30pm: Contest
7pm-8:30pm: Hip Hop concert in Mille 8 area
9:30pm-On: Ventilofest in the Concert Hall
(BernardTaillefer)

Saturday March 12th:
1pm-3:30pm: Warm Up
4pm-6:30p: Contest
7pm-8:30pm: Walshy Fire concert in Mille 8 area
10pm-1am: Pre-party Boubou Bar
1am-On: Afterparty

Sunday March 13th:
Weather Day

www.beinvitational.com
www.facebook.com/BEinvitational
www.instagram.com/beinvitational (#BEinvitational)
www.twitter.com/BE_Invitational (#BEinvitational)
https://www.youtube.com/user/BEInvitational

Downdays European Skier of the Year : Semi Finals Voting Open!

Whew, it’s getting hot in here! The contest for the Downdays European Skier of the Year is down to just four men and four women, representing the continent’s diverse freeskiing scene from Spain to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

Semi-finals voting is open until Thursday, November 12, when the finals will kick off. Make sure your voice is heard – vote now!

[socialpoll id=”[socialpoll id=”2157543″ type=”set”]

[socialpoll id=”[socialpoll id=”2157544″ type=”set”]

LAAX presents the events schedule for winter 2015/2016

LAAX is offering its guests a wide variety of exciting events this winter. But the main thing is having fun in the snow – and that’s our promise to you. Whether young or old, whether pros or total beginners, tried and true park riders and jibbers, weekend warriors, food and wine lovers or snow-hungry holidaymakers – everyone is welcome, everyone can experience the LAAX lifestyle, and there is sure to be an event to suit every taste. It all starts with the LAAX Season Kick-Off on 12 December 2015.

LAAX Season Kick-Off: 12 December 2015
That feeling of finally being back out in the snow for the first time in the season – on 12 December the long wait will be over! That’s when we’ll be kicking off our season in the best way possible, with a day full of snow and fun. The event will start off with a major highlight – the opening of the new La Siala 10-seater cable car. There will be plenty of action-packed events on the mountain and in the valley that are sure to make this year’s kick-off unforgettable. For our youngest boarders, there’s the Burton Riglet park at the Flims base station, where three- to six-year-olds can have fun learning how to snowboard. The bag jump from the Freestyle Academy will be located at the Laax base station, giving daredevils a chance to show off their coolest jumps before landing on a soft airbag. On Crap Sogn Gion, it’s also all about freestyling. At the Cash for Tricks contest, the LAAX snowpark crew will be scoring the performance of skilled snowboarders and freeskiers and offering cash prizes for the best tricks. The best spot to watch the show is Café NoName, which is celebrating its reopening at the LAAX Season Kick-Off with a super chill DJ set. Anyone who wants to take in more of the sights can use the LAAX Inside App and head over to the La Siala 10-seater cable car. Back at the rocksresort in the valley, you can dig in at food stands offering fondue sticks and delicious barbecue. If you’d rather enjoy your meal indoors, you can discover the new rockslounge or the completely renovated Piazza Caffé & Panini and its new slow-food menu. Meanwhile, with live music on the outdoor terrace, the Indy is the perfect place for tea time. As night falls, the freestyle action will gradually shift over to the screening of Afterparty by LAAX the Movie. Still not enough? Then be sure to book your ticket for the Fritz Kalkbrenner concert in the Riders Palace Club. Wow! What a killer start to the 2015/2016 winter season in LAAX!

LAAX OPEN 2016: 18 to 24 January 2016
After nearly 30 years of freestyle events, the LAAX OPEN signals a new era in snowboarding events at LAAX. From 18 to 24 January 2016, Laax is cranking it up. Up on the mountains or down in the valley, inside or outside – the freestyle feeling is taking over. High-class sports, powder runs, snowboarding and cultural and culinary delights – with something for everyone, the LAAX OPEN is in a class of its own. The prize money offered is also one of a kind: USD 500,000. That is what the contestants in the halfpipe and slopestyle competitions, both top international riders and young challengers, are fighting for. Up to 300 participants plus a large number of spectators will be attending this elite event. Olympic gold medallist in the halfpipe Iouri Podladtchikov (Switzerland), slopestyle rider Ståle Sandbech from Norway (Olympic silver medallist, BEO 2015 LAAX champion), Canadian rider Tyler Nicholson (ranked number 2 worldwide) and Christy Prior from New Zealand (BEO 2015 LAAX slopestyle champion) are just a few of the boarding legends from around the world who have already confirmed that they are attending. You can register for open qualifications until 30 November 2015 at laax.com/open. LAAX OPEN, a mountain lifestyle event that is guaranteed to make history.

Youngsters in the spotlight: Iceripper Rookie Fest and FSA MiniShred
The new year will start out with an international get-together of young halfpipe riders. From 7 to 9 January 2016, the next generation of boarders will demonstrate their talent at the Iceripper Rookie Fest on the largest halfpipe in the world, which is 200 metres long and has 6.9-metre-high walls. Respect! On 20 and 21 February, the youngsters have another chance to show off their skills at the Freestyle Academy MiniShred.

European Freeski Open LAAX 2016: 9 to 12 March 2016
The European Freeski Open LAAX will be held for the ninth time at the beginning of March 2016. In the Pro Kicker Line in the Curnius snowpark, 200 men and women will stylishly demonstrate their skills on the rails and up in the clouds on the kicker. This event has become enormously popular over the past few years. Olympic champion Joss Christensen (USA) has called LAAX his favourite destination, saying it’s a fun resort for this kind of top contest.

Royal championships: Netherlands and the UK in LAAX
The Dutch and the Brits have chosen LAAX to host their national freestyle championships. The LAAX Event Team is offering the perfect set-up. Who will be crowned the queen and king at the Nederlandse Kampioenschap (27.03.- 02.04.) and The BRITS (03.- 09.04.)? Find out in March and April!

The grand finale: Schnulz im Sulz and Pleasure Spring Session
Two very different legendary events will be taking place in April: Schnulz im Sulz (02.04.) and the Pleasure Spring Session (07.- 10.04.). Both events attract more and more fans every year, and often fans of one will be drawn to the other: the Schnulz fans also have a snowboard trick or two up their sleeves, while the freestylers love to go all out on the mountain and on the dance floor, strutting their stuff in the slushy spring snow.

And then, before you know it, it’s over. The 2015/2016 event season in LAAX.

Back to the beginning
But the season has barely even started: the Vorab glacier lifts are already open on the weekends, the lifts from the base station in LAAX will start running every day from 28 November, and on 12 December, the LAAX Season Kick-Off will shift the season into high gear.

Winter 2015 at MINI Snowpark Feldberg – Everything a Freestyler Needs

Hence, 2015/16 is planned to be even more action packed than the last years. A massive amount of features and a series of cracking events will sweeten up the best time of the year again. Gonna be a blast!
During the last couple of years the MINI Snowpark Feldberg has evolved into an important meeting point of the freestyle scene. It is thus highest priority for the park operators QParks to keep the park in its best shape and please all the talented freeskiers. The park has plenty to offer and with its approximately 810 meters of length, it ranks among the most popular snowparks of Germany. After the lift located right next to the park carries riders to the entrance in no-time, 40 different obstacles are waiting to go down again. In order to make these shine with new brilliance each day, an especially trained snowcat operator from QParks will take care of the park this year. This way, nothing will be left untried to provide you with the best possible condition of the snowpark.

The Set-Up of 2015/16
In the upcoming winter, there will be nine kickers with tables between 3 and 10 meters. “Germany’s longest jibline” will definitely live up to its name again – among many other jibs, you can test your skills on a tank and on the “MINI Jibcan“. Apart from the usual tubes, rails and boxes, you will find a couple of new features, especially at the lower part of the park. A 5-meter-long elbow rail and a 6-meter-long flat rail are guaranteed to offer tons of fun. So evidently there’ll be something for everyone.

Event Highlights 2015/16
However, it wouldn’t be the MINI Snowpark Feldberg, if there weren’t any other features apart from the noble setup. Various photo- and film-shootings will be taking place again this season, so that the unique freestyle vibes of the park can be shared with the world. The first shooting is already set for the 6th of January; it’s going to be a Bohny Public Shooting powered by MINI, where professional photographers will capture your finest freestyle moments. So all of you who enjoy flirting with the camera should already make up their minds about the way they want to be put in the limelight.

In February the SnowTunes Feldberg deserves a special mention. Including a chill area with DJ, the park will be transformed into a freestyle paradise of a kind. Since one highlight chases another at Feldberg, the QParks Tour will return as well on the 27th of February 2016 with the Bohny Masters Feldberg powered by MINI. In March, numerous specials are waiting. Feldberg local Jule Seifert along with other dedicated freestyle ladies will take over the park during the Girls Shred Session. On the 6th of March 2016, the motto is “Who owns the park? Girls!” For that day the snowpark will be under the absolute control of the girls. If you want to get some tips or learn a couple of tricks from a pro, you most definitely shouldn’t miss the MINI & Bohny VIP Pro Coaching Day. It’s your chance to meet up with professional hardcore shredders and chat with them about their and your riding skills.

Fun and action packed times are to be expected at the Mini Snowpark Feldberg this winter season. To shorten the waiting time until the first snowfalls, check out the snowpark’s website and the Facebook fanpage for news and updates. Besides, also have a look on Instagram where you’ll find the latest shots from the park. See you soon at the MINI Snowpark Feldberg!

 

Downdays European Skier of the Year : Round 2 Voting Open!

Welcome to Round Two! These eight men represent the cream of the crop of Europe’s freeskiers from street style to big-mountain cojones. But who will take home the European Skier of the Year title? You be the judge!
The women’s poll also begins today, so take a look below to see the match-ups, and cast your votes for your favorites!

[socialpoll id=”[socialpoll id=”2157509″ type=”set”]

[socialpoll id=”[socialpoll id=”2157491″ type=”set”]