After nearly 30 years of freestyle events, the Swiss resort of Laax will begin a new era in snowboarding events from 18 to 24 January with the new Laax Open.
Competitors will be competing for the world’s biggest prize purse for a snowsports event of £500,000. Over 300 participants will be competing in the half pipe and slopestyle competitions, both top international riders and young challengers. Olympic gold medallist in the half pipe Louri Podladtchikov (Switzerland), slopestyle rider Ståle Sandbech from Norway (Olympic silver medallist, Burton European Open 2015 Laax champion), Canadian rider Tyler Nicholson (ranked number two worldwide) and Christy Prior from New Zealand (BEO 2015 Laax slopestyle champion) are among the boarding legends from around the world who have confirmed that they are attending.
Laax is stressing though that the Open isn’t just about the competition. Following the snowboard action on the mountain, there’ll be daily free concerts in Rocksresort and resort staff just carried 400 extra beach chairs up onto the mountain to help supporters chill in the sun.
