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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
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.com

Going on a backcountry hut trip, be sure to load up on Avalanche Safety gear available at: backcountry.com
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Live Stream: Watch The 2013 Po Live Stream: Watch The 2013 Powder Magazine Video Awards Live

From: TetonGravityResearch
Description:

The 2013 Powder Magazine Video Awards are tonight in Park City, Utah.

Watch the awards live starting at 7:30 p.m. MST.

Below are the official 2013 Powder Awards presented by Icelandic Glacial nominees:

Best Line
Pep Fujas – WE – Poor Boyz Productions
Parker White – Sunny – Level 1 Productions
Corey Felton and Topher Plimpton - Because – Two Plank Productions
Erik Hjorleifson – Superheroes of Stoke – MSP Films

Best Powder
Chatter Creek - Superheroes of Stoke – MSP Films
Griffin Post and Todd Ligare – The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research
Jay Peak - No Matter What – Meathead Films
Erik Roner – The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research

Best Natural Air
Sean Pettit – WE – Poor Boyz Productions
Tim Durtschi – The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research
Parker White – Sunny – Level 1 Productions
Max Hammer – The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research

Best Manmade Air
Russ Henshaw – Superheroes of Stoke – MSP Films
Henrik Harlaut – The Education of Style – Inspired Media Concepts
Karl Fostvedt – WE – Poor Boyz Productions
Dana Flahr – The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research

Best Jib
Clatyon Vila – The Eighty Six – Stept Productions
Tom Wallisch - Sunny – Level 1 Productions
Will Wesson – No Matter What – Meathead Films
Leigh Powis – WE – Poor Boyz Productions

Best P.O.V.
Dana Flahr – The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research
Corey Felton and Topher Plimpton – Because – Two Plank Productions
Mike Henituk – WE - Poor Boyz Productions
Russ Henshaw – Superheroes of Stoke – MSP Films

Best Cinematography Presented by GoPro
The Eighty Six – Stept Productions
Few Words – Process Films
Sunny – Level 1 Productions
The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research

Best Editing
Act Natural – Toy Soldier Productions
Superheroes of Stoke – MSP Films
Sunny – Level 1 Productions
The Eighty Six – Stept Productions

Best Female Performance
Michelle Parker – Superheroes of Stoke – MSP Films
Angel Collinson – The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research
Elyse Saugstad – Kill Your Boredom – Voleurz
Ingrid Backstrom – Superheroes of Stoke – MSP Films

Best Male Performance
Eric Hjorleifson – Superheroes of Stoke – MSP Films
Candide Thovex – Few Words – Process Films
Sean Pettit – WE – Poor Boyz Productions
Dash Longe – The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research

Best Documentary
Tempting Fear – Switchback Entertainment
Choose Your Own Adventure – Powderwhore Productions
Few Words – Process Films

Movie of the Year
The Dream Factory – Teton Gravity Research
The Eighty Six – Stept Productions
Few Words – Process Films
Sunny – Level 1 Productions

Awards will also be presented for Full Throttle presented by Icelandic Glacial and Breakthrough Performer and Best Web Series, as well as Reader Poll honors for the top 10 men and five women as voted on by fans and POWDER readers.
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Candide Thovex Is An Anomaly - Candide Thovex Is An Anomaly - Blast From The Past Episode 18

From: TetonGravityResearch
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.

Click Here To Get Old School And Rip In Blast From The Past

Click Here To Buy Anomaly
9 months ago
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Few Words By Candide Thovex Few Words By Candide Thovex

From: TetonGravityResearch
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.

Click Here To Watch More Ski And Snowboard Trailers
10 months ago
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Video: Few Words Teaser - Cand Video: Few Words Teaser - Candide Thovex's First Feature Film

From: media-75233
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.
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1 year ago
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Interview: May Grom Contest Wi Interview: May Grom Contest Winner Ian Borgeson

From: media-75233
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.
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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
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:
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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
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
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3 years ago
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Freeride World Tour Expands to Freeride World Tour Expands to Six Stops, Announces 2011 Schedule

From: media-75233
Description:

September 16, 2010

Verbier, Switzerland – After the success of its three previous editions, the Freeride World Tour 2011 grows from four to six tour stops with new events in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Fieberbrunn, Austria. The world's best freeride skiers and snowboarders will once again be going head-to-head in search of the 2011 world title. Spectacular action guaranteed on some of the planet's most challenging mountains!

The 2011 tour for male riders will kick off mid-January at the mecca of freeriding, Chamonix-Mt-Blanc in France. The athletes will then travel the globe to five more destinations in Europe, Russia and North America. The female riders have their own tour schedule, competing at the Freeride World Qualifyer events. They will then join the men for the grande finale in Verbier, Switzerland, at the prestigious Nissan Xtreme by Swatch, celebrating its 16th edition.

In Verbier the battle for the world title 2011 will determine who will follow in the footsteps of reigning World ChampionsCandide Thovex, FRA (men ski), Ane Enderud, NOR (women ski), Xavier de Le Rue, FRA (men snowboard), and Aline Bock GER (women snowboard).

"I'm delighted to announce the schedule for the fourth edition of the Freeride World Tour (FWT). With Fieberbrunn and St. Moritz as new FWT tour stops we are making a major move into the Germanic part of Europe. I'm also really pleased that Nissan and Swatch continue to be FWT partners and that major snow industry players such as Scott and DaKine see the FWT as the premier tour in this rapidly developing and exciting sport. Our goal is to deliver the best in big mountain Freeride competition. We're well positioned once again to do that in 2011," commentsFreeride World Tour founder and organiser,Nicolas Hale-Woods.

The 2011 Freeride World Tour six stages:

1. Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2011 by Swatch (FRA)

Date: 22 January 2011

2. Nissan Engadin Freeride St Moritz 2011 by Swatch (SUI)

Date: 29 January 2011

3. Nissan Russian Adventure Sochi 2011 (RUS)

Date: 19 February 2011

4a. North American Championships Kirkwood 2011 by Swatch (USA)

Date: 26 February (Ski only) 2011

4b. North Face Masters Kirkwood 2011 by Swatch (USA)

Dates: 5 March(Snowboard only)

5. Big Mountain Fieberbrunn 2011 by Nissan (AUT)

Date: 12 March 2011

6. Nissan Xtreme Verbier 2011 by Swatch (SUI)

Date: 19 March 2011 (Finals)

Here's a video from last season's FWT stop at Squaw Valley, CA:
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3 years ago
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Candide Thovex visits Utah fro Candide Thovex visits Utah from 2003 (High Life)

From: PeteObrien
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).**
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3 years ago
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