31 Search Results for ""candide thovex""
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So, You Want To Go To A Backco So, You Want To Go To A Backcountry Lodge In BC, Eh?
- From: jeremybenson
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Description:
If you were at a lodge in BC, you would be crushing it.
“All you focus on is waking up, skiing all day and getting ready to do it again the next day,” says James Heim, “With the skiing being so close to the lodge you literally roll out the door and can be skiing amazing lines in no time.” Heim, a BC resident and star of numerous films by MSP and Sherpa’s Cinema, has been on three film trips and numerous personal trips to backcountry lodges around BC. Matchstick Productions has filmed several segments at Golden Alpine Holidays’ Meadow Lodge with the likes of Heim, Eric Hjorleifson, and Mark Abma. Other film companies have followed suit, Candide Thovex and Sweetgrass Productions both made trips to Icefall Lodge to film last winter. Filming at a backcountry lodge is great because, “The whole crew is already out in the mountains and so close to great filming terrain,” says Heim, “You can't get caught up in day to day life, instead you focus solely on getting out there and shooting.”
Sure, backcountry lodges are a great place to film a sick segment, but they are an equally great place to go shred with your friends for exactly the same reason. Here’s the basic idea: Get a group of like-minded friends together and rent a lodge for a week. Jump in a helicopter, get dropped off at the lodge. Wake up, eat, go skiing, eat, go skiing, eat, sauna, drink beer, sleep, repeat for one week (in roughly that order). Stephane Reindeau, a Revelstoke resident and owner of Tough Guy Productions, has spent time at various lodges around BC and says, “The backcountry lodge environment allows you to enjoy gourmet cuisine and fine camaraderie, in the middle of beautiful mountains, and the powder skiing is unparalleled. This is the dream, and the experience is unprecedented.” That’s weird, I’m pretty sure I’ve had that same dream…
Look, it's BC powder!
The Canadian Province of British Columbia is home to some of the most dramatic and remote mountains in North America. In addition to countless cat and heli-skiing operations, BC is home to roughly 30 commercial backcountry lodges. Backcountry lodges have played a part in BC’s rich mountain history and they continue to evolve with our modern backcountry skiing boom. From the Coast Range to the Rockies, there are lodges and huts littered throughout western Canada’s mountains.
The Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association’s (BLBCA) website lists 27 commercial lodges that offer skiing. Most are privately owned and operated while the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) manages some. Countless other hike-to or sled-to lodges exist throughout the mountains of BC, but that’s another story entirely. Generally situated at or near treeline, these lodges provide an ideal base for mountain exploration. When it’s storming you can ski the trees and lower elevation terrain around the lodge. If it’s clear you can head up high and access alpine peaks, chutes, and glaciers. Most lodges are so remote that they are accessed exclusively by helicopter. Icefall Lodge, for example, is a 20-minute heli-ride away from the nearest heli-staging near Golden, BC. Twenty minutes in a helicopter is a damn long time, prohibitively far to walk, so you can rest assured that no one else will be out in your zone.
The Icefall Lodge in British Columbia.
Larry Dolecki, owner and head-guide of Icefall, started his lodge because, “there is so much terrain in BC, but you are limited by road access. The helicopter gets you out there, then there is no one else around.” With groups ranging between 12-16 people, depending on the lodge, there is plenty of snow and terrain for everyone. “You show up and ski right out the door, no driving, no racing for first tracks,” says Dolecki, “Atmosphere is a big reason lodges are becoming more popular, sharing powder with a group of friends.”
Lodges are typically rustic, they are located in the middle of nowhere after all, but they do offer many of the creature comforts we’ve all become used to. Electricity is standard at pretty much every backcountry lodge, and in BC style this is usually from some sort of “green” energy source. Most lodges use hydroelectric or solar power to charge their batteries and when all else fails, they have a gas powered back-up generator. Wood stoves provide heat for the living areas and drying out skins, boots, and other soggy ski gear. Some lodges also feature a designated drying room where all the stinky ski gear can dry by propane heat and fester in its’ own stench. A few modern backcountry lodges have indoor toilets, but many still utilize the good ol’ frosty outhouse. Most lodges pull their drinking water from nearby fresh water sources, many have holding tanks and running water, while others rely on human power to bring water in buckets, either way it’s some of the best tasting water you’ll ever have. Wood fired saunas are common, and when coupled with a watering-can hot shower is the perfect way to wind down after a long day hiking for face shots. Some lodges even have satellite internet so you can maintain your status and give your friends the F.O.M.O.
You could be skiing powder in Canada right now.
All lodges are different, but most offer both guided and self-guided skiing. Some lodges require you to have a guide, and with avalanche paths longer than most ski areas it can be nice to have someone with terrain familiarity showing you around. Guides are often included in the price, or they typically run around 300-400 bucks a day, when divided among a group ends up being pretty cheap to have someone break trail for you all week. Depending on your group’s level of backcountry savvy you may be able to opt for guiding yourselves, a slightly less expensive option.
As for food, the full spectrum of options is generally available, from catered gourmet to do-it-yourself. I love eating mac-n-cheese and quesadillas all week with my bros, but having someone cook for you is undoubtedly easier and way better, albeit slightly more expensive. Waking up to hot coffee and breakfast, and coming home to soup and snacks before a delicious dinner everyday is worth a couple hundred bucks in my book. There are catering companies in BC who specialize in lodge trips and will prepare your week’s worth of food, boxed up and with recipes, to take with you on a self-catered trip to save you the hassle of figuring it out for yourself.
Skinning with your friends is the best.
Plan ahead, lodges tend to book out early nowadays, so making your reservation up to a year in advance may be necessary. In fact, a couple of the ACC lodges, like Fairy Meadows and Kokanee Galcier, are so popular that they work on a lottery program for reservations. Group leaders can usually book an entire lodge, then fill it with their favorite shredding partners. Booking the whole lodge is the most cost effective approach and brings the price per person down significantly. You can often book just part of the lodge, or help to fill a partially booked week, in which case you’ll be sharing with other folks who are there for the same reasons you are, so they’re probably pretty damn cool. Expect a catered and guided week to cost around $1,800-$2,200, far cheaper than a week of heli skiing, and arguably as much or more fun.
If you’re planning a trip to a backcountry lodge in BC, here’s a few helpful tips. Canada is not part of the United States, you’ll need identification to enter, I suggest a passport. Flying to Canada is expensive, and getting around once you’ve landed can be a pain. I recommend driving whenever possible, this saves on airport transfers, car rentals, baggage fees, and you can bring groceries and a small amount of alcoholic beverages with you.
Things are more expensive in Canada, so bring the maximum amount of alcohol allowed, a case of beer, or 3 bottles of wine, or a 750 ml of liquor per person, they will probably check at the border. If you’ve had a DUI in the last 5 years, don’t even try to cross the border.
Bring earplugs, one loud snorer can keep you up all night, every night, and the better you sleep the harder you can charge.
Avalanche training and experience traveling and skiing in avalanche terrain are a must; hire a guide if you are the least bit uncertain of your skills. Know your gear and how to use it. A backcountry lodge trip isn’t the right place to try out your new backcountry boots for the first time because, as James Heim says, “There’s nothing worse than being in an amazing location for a short time and spending most of that time either fixing your gear or practicing avalanche rescue when you could have done that before hand.”
Do some online research or talk with friends who’ve been to a lodge to find the one that best suits your needs, there are lots of options. Lodge operators are extremely helpful for planning and can assist with finding guides, catering, and details like lodging before and after and your trip.
My backcountry lodge experiences have resulted in the best ski trips that I’ve ever been on. The stress free environment, comfortable lodging, and access to incredible terrain are without equal. In my opinion, there isn’t a better a way to spend your money on skiing and spend time in the backcountry.
A few helpful online resources:
http://www.backcountrylodgesofbc.com
http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca
Catering:
http://www.mosmountaincuisine.comGoing on a backcountry hut trip, be sure to load up on Avalanche Safety gear available at: backcountry.com
- Blog post
- 4 months ago
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Candide Thovex Is An Anomaly - Candide Thovex Is An Anomaly - Blast From The Past Episode 18
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
In this episode of Teton Gravity Research's web series Blast From The Past, we take a look back at Candide Thovex's ground-breaking segment from TGR's 2006 feature film, Anomaly. From his hometown of La Clusaz, France, to Aspen, Colorado, to Seward, Alaska, Candide Thovex absolutely crushes everything in his path from park jumps, to the X Games, to the big mountains. Shortly after this, Candide hurt his back and was out of the ski game until about 2010. Now in 2012, Candide is back with his own movie titled Few Words.
TGR's Blast From The Past web series will take you back in time to revisit some of our favorite film segments from 15 years of action sports filmmaking. From shredding Alaska spines set to Metallica to surfing El Salvador's endless beaches, Blast From The Past is your one stop for TGR's greatest film segments.
- 9 months ago
- Views: 348
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Few Words By Candide Thovex Few Words By Candide Thovex
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
This long anticipated movie has finally become a reality for Candide Thovex. Take a look back at his youth and early days skiing, as Candide shows you what it took to get to this point in his career, winning X Games gold medals and breaking his back before winning the freeride world tour. Embarking on a two-year, round-the-world mission to film the best conditions possible, Matt Pain and crew have captured Candide in his element, as well as the stunning nature surrounding him.
Few Words, Candide's first full-length feature film, will premiere this October in Paris, with a world tour to follow in a city near you.
- 10 months ago
- Views: 590
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Video: Few Words Teaser - Cand Video: Few Words Teaser - Candide Thovex's First Feature Film
- From: media-75233
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Description:
Quiksilver Presents Candide Thovex's first feature-length film Few Words.
This long anticipated movie has finally become a reality for Candide Thovex. While we take a look back at his youth and early days skiing, Candide shows you what it took to get to this point in his career, winning X-games gold medals and breaking his back before winning the Freeride World Tour. Now embarking on a mission spending two winters and summers filming and traveling over the world to get the best conditions possible, Matt Pain and crew have captured Candide in his element and the stunning nature surrounding.
Few Words will Premier in October in Paris with a world tour to follow in a city near you.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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Interview: May Grom Contest Wi Interview: May Grom Contest Winner Ian Borgeson
- From: media-75233
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Description:
Congratulations to our May Grom Contest Winner Ian Borgeson! Ian is from Dillon, Colorado and claims Arapahoe Basin as his home mountain. He was kind enough to set aside some time from skiing to answer a few questions.
Here's his video submission:
How long have you been skiing?
I have been skiing for 15 years.
Why do you enjoy skiing?
There are many things I enjoy about skiing. I love being outside and skiing amazing peaks with incredible views. I also love the rush I get from a competition or doing something gnarly. I can't think of any other way to descent a mountain quite like you can on skis.
Photo: Jason Anthony
Who are your ski heros?
A few of my ski hero's are Tanner Hall, Candide Thovex, Wiley Miller, Dane Tudor, and Pep Fujas.
Who are your favorite people to ride with?
Some of my favorite people to shred with are the Team Summit Big Mountian crew.
Photo: Max Kaupas
How do you balance school and skiing?
Balancing school and skiing is definitely a challenge. I usually just ski during the day and do my homework when I get home. I have to take school work on ski trips though which kind of sucks; it's worth it though.
What does it mean to you to have your video selected by TGR?
Having my video selected by TGR is wonderful! TGR makes some of my favorite ski films so it's rad that you guys like my skiing!
Photo: Brendon Newton
What are your plans for the rest of the season? Are you working on more edits since you get one a month?
My season is basically over. My home mountain, Arapahoe Basin, closes on the 19th. I don't plan on going to any summer camps or anything like that. I will not be making any more edits for the Grom Contest.
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
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News: 2011 Freeride World Tour News: 2011 Freeride World Tour Returns To Chamonix On January 22
- From: media-75233
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Description:
January 12, 2011
Chamonix, France - On January 22, 2011, the best freeriders in the world will know if their rigorous training and mental preparation leading up to the first event of the Freeride World Tour (FWT) season has paid off when they drop in and give it their all at the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch.
Chamonix Mont-Blanc is the world's unofficial capital of Freeriding. Its unrivalled steeps, tree lines and powder prove irresistible year in year out to the world's freeride community. It comes as no surprise therefore that on 22 January, Chamonix Mont-Blanc will host the opening event of the FWT's fourth season, which this year gets bigger and better with a series of six events.
The world’s top 52 freeriders will be tackling the spectacular “Pentes de l’Hôtel” face at the Brévent ski area. The elite field includes 2010 Freeride World Champions Candide Thovex (FRA, men ski), Aline Bock (GER, women snowboard) and Xavier de Le Rue (FRA, men snowboard). Other big name riders include Henrik Windstedt (SWE, men ski), local and former world champion Aurelien Ducroz (FRA, men ski) and the indomitable JT Holmes (USA, men ski).
The event's teaser:
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
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News: Freeride World Tour Anno News: Freeride World Tour Announces Qualified Riders, Adds Two Additional Women's Stops
- From: media-75233
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Description:
October 14, 2010
Verbier, Switzerland – The best freeriders on the planet are already gearing up for their shot at the prestigious Freeride World Tour 2011 title and more than $250,000 USD in prize money on the new six-stop international tour.
Reigning World Champions Candide Thovex, FRA (men’s ski), Ane Enderud, NOR (women’s ski), Xavier de Le Rue, FRA (men’s snowboard), and Aline Bock GER (women’s snowboard) will be back on the 2011 tour to defend their title against an international field of skiers and snowboarders that are all hungry for the world’s ultimate freeride title.
Freeride World Tour 2011 Teaser
Men’s Ski
The Freeride World Tour 2010 was one of the most exciting editions of FWT history with the final crown being won in a close competition by French skiing icon Candide Thovex in his rookie year on the tour. The 2011 Tour will be even more competitive with 2008 World Champion and 2010 third-place finisher Henrik Windstedt (SWE), more committed than ever, and 2009 winner Aurélien Ducroz, from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, in France, hungry to regain his title, starting off the season in his home town. In addition there is a particularly electric group of wild cards for 2011 including Norwegian upstart Torgrim Vole, Swiss chargers Jérémie Heitz and Samuel Anthammaten, and the legendary US skier JT Holmes, who will be putting it all on the line for their chance to claim the highly-coveted Freeride World Tour Champion title.
"2010 was a trial year for me on the Freeride World Tour. Competing with the best riders in the world we created a truly positive and permanent evolution of the sport. My objective in 2011 is to defend my World Freeride Champion title. I’ll be under a lot of pressure but more than anything else I’ll be competing on the FWT for my own pleasure. That’s how I improve. The two new events on the schedule are two more chances for us to express ourselves and throw down tricks during a run with less pressure." Candide Thovex, Freeride World Tour 2010 Champion.
Men’s Snowboard
Will 3-time Freeride World Tour Champion Xavier de Le Rue from France continue to dominate or will this year’s remarkable lineup of wild cards Flo Orley (AUS), Martin Cernik (CZE), James Stentiford (UK) and Andy Finch (USA) be able to knock him off his throne? The man who many believe is unbeatable, Xavier de Le Rue, says bring it on: “Every year since the beginning I've been impressed by the way the tour has continually improved year after year. Where will it go this year? Can't wait to find out!”
Women’s Ski
The women’s events have been expanded to include three Freeride World Tour events; Chamonix, Kirkwood and Verbier, and three 4-star Freeride World Qualifier events. This new format will open the competition to many more of the growing number of outstanding women freeriders and will result in increased media focus, spotlighting what is sure to be a very exciting women’s tour.
The importance of the women’s title is explained by Women’s Freeride World Champion 2010, Ane Enderud from Norway, “Winning the Freeride World Tour for both years that I have competed on it has changed my life for sure. Going into my third season on the tour and wanting to defend my title is definitely a challenge but challenge can be fun! My main mission is to be physically and mentally strong, to be healthy and enjoy life. If I’m healthy and focused I believe I can do whatever I want and that includes winning the tour again.”
Women’s Snowboard
In women’s snowboard, the new schedule including six main events will now open the race for the final overall title to a wider group of riders. Women’s Snowboarding Freeride World Tour 2010 Champion Aline Bock from Germany states, “I’ve competed in the last two seasons in the Freeride World Tour and I am more than happy to have finished the 2010 season as Freeride World Champion. Of course, I will try to defend the title in 2011 again. The level of women’s freeriding has risen over the past few seasons and I would really like to push it as far as it goes in the FWT 2011 competitions.”
Candide Thovex's Winning Run at the 2010 Freeride World Tour in Chamonix
Qualified Men / Ski
12 riders qualified from FWT Ranking 2010:
Candide Thovex (FRA)
Henrik Windstedt (SWE)
Aurélien Ducroz (FRA)
Julien Lopez (FRA)
Tim Dutton (USA)
Reine Barkered (SWE)
Sverre Liliequist (SWE)
Adrien Coirier (FRA)
Sebastian Hannemann (GER)
Stefan Hausl (AUT)
Seb Michaud (FRA)
Matthias Haunholder (AUT)3 riders qualified from FWQ Ranking 2010:
Jérémy Prevost (FRA)
Mathieu Imbert (FRA)
Sam Smoothy (NZL)Wild Cards – all season:
Jérémie Heitz (SUI)
Samuel Anthammaten (SUI)
JT Holmes (USA)
Torgrim Vole (NOR)Event wild cards for the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch:
TBA
Qualified Men / Snowboard
6 riders qualified from FWT Ranking 2010:
Xavier de Le Rue (FRA)
Mitch Toelderer (AUT)
Matt Annetts (USA)
Douds Charlet (FRA)
Gennady Khryachkov (RUS)
Aurélien Routens (FRA)2 riders qualified from FWQ Ranking 2010:
Max Zipser (AUT)
Raphael Bullet (SUI)Wild Cards – all season:
Martin Cernik (CZE)
Andy Finch (USA)
James Stentiford (UK)
Flo Örley (AUT)Event wild cards for the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch:
TBA
Ane Enderud's 2nd Place Nissan Tram Face 2010 Run
Qualified Women / Ski
5 riders qualified from FWT Ranking 2010:
Ane Enderud (NOR)
Jess McMillan (USA)
Jaclyn Paaso (USA)
Eva Walkner (AUT)
Janina Kuzma (NZL)2 riders qualified from FWQ Ranking 2010:
Pia Widmesser (GER)
Janette Hargin (SWE)Wild Card – all season:
Marja Persson (SWE)
Event wild cards for the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch:
1st , 2nd and 3rd place of La Clusaz Radikal Mountain 2011 (FRA)
Qualified Women / Snowboard
3 riders qualified from FWT Ranking 10:
Aline Bock (GER)
Susan Mol (USA)
Nathalie Zenklusen (SUI)1 rider qualified from FWQ Ranking 10:
Vivian Aasen (NOR)
Event wild cards for the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch:
1st , 2nd and 3rd place of La Clusaz Radikal Mountain 2011 (FRA)
The Freeride World Tour's 2011 Stages:
1. Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch (FRA)
Date: 22 January 2011 - Men / Women - Ski / Snowboard
2. Nissan Freeride Engadin St. Moritz 2011 by Swatch (SUI)
Date: 29 January 2011 - Men - Ski / Snowboard
3. North American Championships Kirkwood 2011 by Swatch (USA)
Date: 26 February 2011 - Men / Women - Ski
North Face Masters Kirkwood 2011 by Swatch (USA)
Date: 5 March 2011 - Women - Snowboard
4. Nissan Russian Adventure Sochi 2011 (RUS)
Date: 5 March 2011 - Men - Ski / Snowboard
5. Big Mountain Fieberbrunn 2011 by Nissan (AUT)
Date: 12 March 2011 - Men - Ski / Snowboard
6. Nissan Xtreme Verbier 2011 by Swatch (SUI)
Date: 19 March 2011 (Finals) - Men / Women - Ski / Snowboard
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
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Candide Thovex visits Utah fro Candide Thovex visits Utah from 2003 (High Life)
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Soon after blowing the doors off the X Games pipe in 2003, Candide Thovex came to Utah to compete in the Park City halfpipe comp. He ended up staying for a few weeks to film some of his segment for High Life.
**Candide Thovex (2003)**
**Candide Thovex Park City Utah (2003)**
**Candide Thovex Park City Utah (2003)**
**Candide Thovex Park City Utah (2003)**
**Candide Thovex rallying the rental sled in Utah (2003)**
**Candide Thovex and Chris Collins try and start Candide's rental sled that has a broken pull cord. Utah (2003)**
**Candide scoping a backcountry jib. Utah (2003)**
**Candide Thovex checking out the shot on his digi. Utah (2003)**
**Candide Thovex 360 tailgrab off a cliff. Brighton, Utah (2003).**
**Candide Thovex double drop at Brighton, Utah (2003).**
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
- Views: 393
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Candide Thovex training in the Candide Thovex training in the pipe at Park City
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 271
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Candide Thovex waxing in the p Candide Thovex waxing in the parking lot
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 248
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Candide Thovex Candide Thovex
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 235
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Candide double cliff at Bright Candide double cliff at Brighton
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 265
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Candide Thovex Park City halfp Candide Thovex Park City halfpipe comp 2003
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 278
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Candide Thovex rallying the re Candide Thovex rallying the rental sled
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 229
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Candide Thovex checking out th Candide Thovex checking out the shot on his digi
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 244
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Candide Thovex and Chris Colli Candide Thovex and Chris Collins fixing the broken sled
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 215
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Candide Thovex scoping a backc Candide Thovex scoping a backcountry jib
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 205
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Candide Thovex 360 tail grab o Candide Thovex 360 tail grab off a cliff
- From: PeteObrien
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Description:
Photo: Pete O'Brien
- 3 years ago
- Views: 249
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Throwback: 17 year old Candide Throwback: 17 year old Candide Thovex throws the first Dspin 720 over Chad's Gap
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:Rider: Candide Thovex Filmed By: Teton Gravity Research Candide cleared Chad's Gap in 1999 with a straight air. The following year he went back up and after three tries nails a Dspin 720 over it. This was the first big technical freestyle trick thrown over a massive gap.
- 3 years ago
- Views: 867
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Candide Thovex wins the Freeri Candide Thovex wins the Freeride World Tour!
- From: freerideworldtour
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Description:
NISSAN XTREME BY SWATCH - VERBIER 2010 / D.DAHER
After the men’s final competition was postponed Saturday, due to bad visibility, the world’s best freeride skiers and snowboarders once again took on the mythical 600 metre North face of the Bec des Rosses. In perfect conditions the 24 male riders put on the most spectacular show with the fastest and most committed edition of the 15 years of the “Xtreme”. Several first descents were opened on the face. With this high level, the battle for first was extremely tight. The breathtaking performances of Swede Kaj Zackrisson, ski, and Frenchman Xavier de Le Rue, snowboard, took them to the first step of the podium.
The win in Verbier gave enough points for Xavier de Le Rue to score top position in the men’s snowboard ranking 2010. For the third executive year, the unbeatable Frenchman was crowned World Champion. Austrian Mitch Toelderer is vice Freeride World Champion 2010, and Matt Annetts (USA) took the third step of the podium.
French freestyle legend Candide Thovex can now claim to be part freeriding history. For his first season on the Freeride World Tour he has proved to be a consistent freeride competitor (3 podiums) with committed and influential skiing. Thovex’s impressive third place on his premiere run on the Bec des Rosses put him on top of the men’s ski ranking 2010. Swedes Kaj Zackrisson (2nd) and Henrik Windstedt (3rd) completed the podium.
The two male Freeride World Champions were awarded with a Nissan Qashqai, and the winners today went home with $ 10 000 each from the total prize purse of $ 206 200 for the Freeride World Tour 2010.
Results Nissan Xtreme by Swatch, Verbier
Men ski:
1. Kaj ZACKRISSON- SWE
2. Aurélien DUCROZ AURELIEN - FRA
3. Candide THOVEX – FRA
Men Snowboard:
1. Xavier DE LE RUE - FRA
2. Cyril NERI - SUI
3. Mitch TOELDERER - AUT
The Freeride World Tour Ranking 2010
Men ski:
1. Candide Thovex – FRA
2. Kaj ZACKRISSON - SWE
3. Henrik WINDSTEDT - SWE
Men Snowboard:
1. Xavier DE LE RUE - FRA
2. Mitch TOELDERER - AUT
3. Matt ANNETTS - USA
Women ski:
1. Ane ENDERUD - NOR
2. Jess MC MILLAN - USA
3. Jaclyn PAASO - USA
Women Snowboard:
1. Aline BOCK - GER
2. Susan MOL - USA
3. Nathalie ZENKLUSEN - SUI
Quote Head Judge Snowboard - Berti Denervaud (SUI)
On Xavier de Le Rue’s (FRA) winning run:
“Xavier’s run was the fastest of the day. He took an original line and jumped a huge cliff that has never been jumped before in the 15 years of the Xtreme! The jump was at least 10 metres in one of the steepest and most committed parts of the face. He negotiated it perfectly, and managed slough and speed impressively.”
On the overall performance of the 11 competing snowboarders:
“It was a really tight field and all the riders were in great control, executing solid, original runs, with many new lines and no major tumbles. It is one of the rare contests where no one was scored below average”
Quote Seb Michaud (FRA) Judge Ski (injured FWT Rider)
On Kaj Zackrisson’s (SWE) winning run & Aurélien Ducroz 2nd:
“It was so tight between the first two riders Kaj and Aurélien. They skied more or less the same line but Kaj jumped one more cliff where Aurélien skied around. For the rest they both skied fast, fluid and stomped all the jumps in the extremely committed terrain, and taking the huge “Gilles Voirol” cliff in the middle clean. Just amazing.”
On the overall performance of the 13 competing skiers:
“The level just increases every year. Today the riders went faster than ever and very few fell. Each year we wonder if there will be any new lines, and once again several new lines were opened, like the original line of Sverre Liliequist SWE (5th).”
Quotes Riders
Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) – Triple Freeride World Champion Snowboard/ 1st Nissan Xtreme by Swatch
“I was here already 3-4 weeks ago and to inspect this line. When I came back last weekend I saw that it was in good condition. I knew it would be hairy but I felt confident. For me the most interesting aspect of the Freeride World Tour is that we inspect the faces really thoroughly. For days I concentrate on just one thing: my line, which never happens when filming or freeriding for myself. I manage to ride things I would never do otherwise. Everything in my run was meticulously planned – I knew there would be a lot of slough (surface snow sliding) as it was really steep so I needed a lot of speed and take the jump straight in the falline.”
Candide Thovex (FRA) – Freeride World Champion 2010 Ski / 3rd Nissan Xtreme by Swatch
“Every one says I am the rookie, but I’m not! I have always been freeriding, since I was a kid. I am a skier. Freestyle, freeride, I ski whatever I enjoy. I have been inspecting the Bec des Rosses face really thoroughly. I was quite nervous and impressed by this big, committed face. It was really impressive at the top. Xavier de Le Rue gave me a lot of advice at the start – he was so confident and I was pretty nervous. I chose an easier jump in the end as my legs were so tired. I wanted to do the Freeride World Tour because it is just great to ski with riders like Auélien Ducroz, Kaj Zackrisson, Henrik Windstedt and Julien Lopez. I am astounded to be surrounded by such amazing athletes.”
Kaj Zackrisson (SWE) –1st Nissan Xtreme by Swatch (third win at the Xtreme!)
“The Xtreme is my biggest goal every year. It means a lot to me. When I train in the autumn I think of this face and this competition. I am always very nervous before the contest and have a hard time sleeping the night before. This year it was even more difficult as I had a great run on Saturday and had to redo my performance. I was so focused for my first run (Saturday) and it was hard to switch on once again. My favourite riders of the day were Xavier de Le Rue, always pushing the limits but always with such control, Sverre Liliequist because he opened a new really committed line, and Aurélien Ducroz because he just skied an exceptional run.”
Nicolas Hale-Woods, Founder and Organiser of the “Xtreme” in Verbier and the Freeride World Tour:
“The sport has evolved way beyond what we imagined back in 1996 and we feel that performances will continue to progress. Even though the riders compete to win the underlying freeride spirit remains with riders sharing ideas and spending considerable time together. Our goal is to preserve that unique spirit and simultaneously grow the Freeride World Tour together with riders and the involved ski resorts. In this respect, we are working on the expansion of the tour in 2011 so that more young riders can enter the qualifier events in North America, Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. Our goal for 2011 is also to add two more events at the FWT level. With freeriding now a leading trend in the snow industry, in many respects we feel like we've just begun - the best is yet to come."
Jean-Pierre Diernaz, General Manager of Nissan’s Marketing Communications in Europe:
“As co-founder of the Freeride World Tour, Nissan has been involved in this adventure from the beginning, and we are proud to have seen it grow into a world class sporting event. As part of Nissan’s goal to create ‘fantastic’ content to nourish the brand’s Nissan Sports Adventure platform, the tour and our partnership with Eurosport – to create the ‘Freeride Spirit’ show - has provided key consumer touch points. The 2010 season has been extremely intense, with spectacular performances by freeriding legends as well as new athletes who have been discovered at each of the contests. We are happy to celebrate with the new Tour champions crowned today at the 15th anniversary of the Nissan Xtreme by Swatch.”
Peter Mager, Vice President Communication Swatch International:
”Since its foundation in 1983, Swatch has always been involved in action sports. There have certainly been a lot of historical moments, but the show today, with an amazing end of the Freeride World Tour 2010, is one of the biggest highlights ever. On behalf of Swatch management, we are really happy to be a partner of the event and the Tour.”
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