
The new format, which was introduced in 2016 and included an added video category, was a huge success and 2017 will be even more exciting: for an added challenge, the photographers will have to hand in a portfolio of their 10 best pictures, while the video artists will be required to deliver an action edit of 2 minutes.
The scenic area around Courmayeur offers everything the teams will need to fulfill their feat: wide powderfields, steep descents and narrow couloirs, and enough spots for an occasional freestyle mission, as all aspects of modern snowboarding and freeskiing have to be shown. The majestic Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest summit, sits enthroned above the valley of Courmayeur and delivers the perfect backdrop for the teams. But neither riders nor media will find time to sit down and enjoy the scenery – time is a scarce resource! Proper strategic planning of the three days out in the field will be crucial for success: should the teams go for tree-skiing in the resort of Courmayeur, spend their day at Skyway to ascend Punta Helbronner or go all in when the helicopter takes them out to the glaciated backcountry of the Aosta valley?
Let’s have a look at those competing for the top prizes:
Monster Energy will dispatch none other than Snowboarding powerhouses Simon Gruber (ITA) and Ethan Morgan (GER/USA), joined by the Italian hero Marco Grigis, to rip the mountains around Courmayeur, while Marco Johnny Morandi (film) and Roberto Bragotto (photo winner of 2016’s edition) capture their uncompromising style.
iF3 Photographer of the Year Florian Breitenberger (GER) will join this year’s competition together with Freeski-Crew mastermind and filmer Marinus Höflinger. The experienced shooters will follow Basti Färber (GER), Neil Williman (NZ) and Dorian Konrad (AUT) – and we hope that Neil will be dropping enormous cliffs, as he did during his Freeride World Tour career.
The Italian snowboarding scene will be also represented by riders Nicolas Bridgman and Marc Grosgasteiger, joined by the local young gun Lorenzo Carbonatto (only 17 years old and competing in Freeride World Tour), whose powder missions will be documented by the Italian filmer and amazing rider Kevin Kok and Marius Schwager (photo). Marius already scored Best Ski Picture in 2015, so it’ll be great to see what he’s got this year.

And last but not least, Austrian backcountry masterminds Tom Klocker and Mario Wanger will travel to Aosta Valley to deliver their best snowboarding in front of the lenses of Patrick Steiner (photo) and Lukas Riedl (video).
The jury consisting of skiing and snowboarding media as well as renowned action sports photographers and filmers will have a hard time deciding who showed the best mix of visual artistry and athletic skills.
The prize giving will take place on March 11th at the Maserati Mountain Lounge in Central Courmayeur. Don’t miss the chance to witness the work of the four teams which will be screened before the winners are announced!
More information can be found at www.clickonthemountain.com!
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