New Ski Events Added To The World Ski & Snowboard Festival in Whistler
The World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) officially kicks off this weekend in Whistler, B.C. In the absence of AFP World Tour Finals this season, the IFSA and Gibbons Hospitality have stepped in to lead the charge on two new ski events, along with the return of Monster Energy's Boarderstyle World Championship on the snowboard side of things and a grassroots halfpipe jam hosted by local Whistler athletes.
Check out the release from WSSF below for a rundown on these new events and all the good times that will be taking place, and we looking forward to seeing you in Whistler...
IFSA North American Junior Freeride Championships And Gibbons Style Session Join Event Lineup Alongside Returning Monster Boarderstyle World Championships
WHISTLER, BC April 5, 2016 – New for 2016, the IFSA North American Junior Freeride Championships and the Gibbons Style Session make their inaugural mark on the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) event schedule. The Monster Energy Boarderstyle returns to WSSF with a fresh new look which translates into the Monster Boarderstyle World Championships. As always, the on-mountain events will draw some of the top ski and snowboard athletes from North America and around the world to Whistler.
“The IFSA North American Junior Freeride Championships are a great addition to our lineup,” says Sue Eckersley, Executive Director for the World Ski & Snowboard Festival. “It’s the first time we’ve had a Big Mountain event and we’re stoked to feature the future generation of pro skiers and snowboarders. These junior athletes are truly talented and we’re looking forward to seeing what they throw down on the first weekend.”
The IFSA North American Junior Freeride Championships will be held April 6 to 9. This event challenges skiing and snowboarding competitors 12-18 years old to shred big mountain terrain, while judges score them based on style, control, technique, fluidity and line choice. Athletes qualify for an invitation to this Championship event by performing well in the many Regional and National events held across North America.
The Gibbons Style Session will take place in Skier’s Plaza at the base of Whistler Mountain on April 16, immediately following Chromeo’s DJ set. The event features a rail jam format that pairs one skier and one snowboarder on the same team. Teams will drop in together on a progressive feature that allows teams to session the course at the same time. Style is the name of the game and skiers and snowboarders will be battling it out for $8,000 each to the highest scoring men’s and women’s team. This event will deliver high energy and excitement for both athletes and spectators alike.
The Monster Boarderstyle World Championships will take place in the terrain park on Blackcomb Mountain. The event pits four riders against each other in a head-to-head boardercross-style race integrated with large slopestyle features. In previous years, the event was a standalone contest in Whistler during WSSF. This year, the Monster Boarderstyle hit the road this season with national events across Canada. Winners from Nationals will be flown to Whistler to compete in the Monster Boarderstyle World Championships for $10,000 on April 15 to 16. The event is open to anyone, with registration currently available online at wssf.com/Monster-Boarderstyle.
With the halfpipe on Blackcomb Mountain in mint condition, Olympic snowboarders and longtime friends of WSSF, Mercedes Nicoll and Dom Vallee invite you to the Half Pipe Fam Jam. The Half Pipe Fam Jam embodies the core ethos of WSSF, inclusivity and grassroots events. Ride and hike with friends and family and keep the good times rolling. The event is open to all skiers and snowboarders and will be taking place in the halfpipe on Blackcomb Mountain on April 9. More information available at wssf.com/Halfpipe-Fam-Jam.
To connect with the World Ski & Snowboard Festival online, Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, or download the mobile app called WSSF Live which is available for FREE in the App Store and Google Play Store for Apple and Android phones.