Thread: Subaru Freeride Series Announced

http://www.freeskiingworldtour.com/2...ies-announced/

2013 Subaru Freeride Series Registration Schedule:

Feb 6-7 SFS 2 Crested Butte, CO Dec 4 Dec 23
Feb 7-10 SFS 4 Crested Butte, CO Dec 4 Jan 17
Mar 14-17 SFS 4 Moonlight Basin, MT
Apr 10-11 SFS 2 Snowbird, UT
Apr 11-14 SFS 4 Snowbird, UT Dec 4 Mar 21

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (November 5, 2012)- Salt Lake City, UT based Mountain Sports International (MSI) announced the schedule for the 2013 Subaru Freeride Series today. The new series features three 4-star Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) ski events for men and women at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO (Feb. 7-10); Moonlight Basin Resort, MT (March 14-17); and the Subaru Freeride Nationals at Snowbird Ski Resort (April 11-14). Two 2-star Freeride World Qualifier events will also be held as part of the series at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO (Feb. 6-7) and Snowbird Ski Resort (April 10-11). The 2-star events provide an additional platform for athletes to earn Freeride World Qualifier points with the top men and women advancing to the corresponding day of 4-star competition. The full FWQ calendar will be released tomorrow with a full slate of worldwide events, including additional FWQ events in Canada and the United States.

“These premier 4-star events provide crucial opportunities for athletes hoping to qualify for the world tour,” said Event Director Bryan Barlow of Mountain Sports International. “We are excited to provide this opportunity on the country’s leading big mountain venues.”

Interesting. I didn't expect there to be that many events, (which I assume will be just like the qualifying days from previous tours.) It will be fun to watch, and I would think the field would be more open since a lot of the top guys are heading out to the Euro tour this year.

Would have been nice to see a California stop though.

^^agreed

Here is the full North American FWQ calander, which includes a 4* in Taos, 2* and 4* for snowboarders in Tahoe, 3* in Alberta (might be junior only?) and 2* at Winter Park.
http://freerideworldtour.com/tl_file...ar_6-11-12.pdf

thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

What terrain does Wanker Pancake have that's worthy of anything close to a freeride comp?

Registration for Taos is open already

Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

What terrain does Wanker Pancake have that's worthy of anything close to a freeride comp?

http://www.weekendwarriortour.com/

Nice to see Moonlight Basin on there again this year.

The Headwaters is awesome terrain.

Love the new unified tour and all, but what's with the lack of quality snowboard events this year?

(1) The North Face Masters is a single stop in Squaw rather than three in Crystal/Snowbird/Kirkwood...

(2) Two two-star events at Alpine and Winter Park don't compare to the replaced events.


Seems like Big Mountain Snowboarding took a step backwards in North America with this merger. The North Face Masters had a dedicated group of riders and crowds who would follow the three stop tour and create a community of progression. Sad to see it completely overhauled without replacement.



Props to Taos for remaining true to both sports and keeping it open, but I'm disappointed to learn that their are fewer snowboard comps this time around.

il'l be at the ONE canadian stop eh! anyone else?

Glad to see a event still happening at the bird.

Originally Posted by KansasBoarder

(2) Two two-star events at Alpine and Winter Park don't compare to the replaced events.

Seems like there is about equivalent coverage. Still have two 4-star events, and now there is two 2-star events (roughly equivalent to a 4-star event, in a way).

Originally Posted by davieboot

Seems like there is about equivalent coverage. Still have two 4-star events, and now there is two 2-star events (roughly equivalent to a 4-star event, in a way).

I appreciate your optimism, but there used to be four 4* snowboard events (Taos, Snowbird, Crystal, Kirkwood), plus multiple Winter Park Weekend Warrior Series....making a total of at least six USA Big Mountain Snowboard Comps.

Now, there are back to back events at Squaw/Alpine, the usual mega-event at Taos, and a single Winter Park series. I don't feel too good about the reduction in total comps nor the quality thereof.

Further, the European schedule includes almost all hybrid events in which both skiing and snowboarding will be contested. Perhaps the Euro venues are more appropriate for higher volume/traffic comps, or perhaps the sponsors in the US wanted to hold onto their sport-specific tours. Either way, I find it difficult to be excited about the separation of sports nor the overall reduction.

Check out the requirements for holding an event, should offer some insight... They request that you close the venue for a month prior to the comp--easier for EU resorts to do, its all out of bounds terrain anyway.

So the amphitheater will be closed for a month prior?

doubt it, its just what fwt wants resorts to do, since its what they know.

Originally Posted by Gone Skiing

Check out the requirements for holding an event, should offer some insight... They request that you close the venue for a month prior to the comp--easier for EU resorts to do, its all out of bounds terrain anyway.

I think you mean off piste. I'm not sure that it would be easier, you ever been in Europe and encountered a closed area? They take the you go where you want when you want pretty seriously.

I'm generally not a neigh sayer but Winter Park holding an freeride event on "a closed area of the chutes" is a joke. For those that know the area this is "Better Not" and "Why Not". 2 chutes of about 300 vert. For some reason they are permanently closed but are really nothing special.

As a member of the younger generation, my input is that even if the number of total competitions in the states is less this year it is much better and more important to have all the competitions organized under the same tour structure with the same standards and point system. This will allow the tour to grow faster and easier in years to come and hence legitimize free-skiing as a competitive sport.

I like the star system, I think that it will encourage a lot more athlete development and really grow the sport. 2 stars let's guys like me test the waters for 4 stars which lets you compete for a spot with the global 5 star elites. Sweet setup imo

still they could have done a couple more...

Yeah I have to admit I have no idea, I just remember reading the 30 day closure thing in the first documentation they provided after the merger. Also never been to EU, so shouldn't be commenting on that either.

I do have to jump in and defend WP, I say good on them for continuing their event. The 2-star event here at CB is on the Headwall, which has one useful feature and is generally a pretty terrible comp venue. It still does a pretty decent job of separating the men from the boys, and is probably worthy of a 2-star event. An easier venue just gives people the opportunity to be more creative, be it adding flippy spinny shit or cool doubles or gaps or straightlines or skiing the whole thing switch or whatever.

I do have to agree I wish there were more 3* events in NA, EU has a boatload of them and we certainly have worthy venues. Crystal, Bridger, Squaw, Telluride, Solitude, Jackson, etc. etc. etc.

Yeah, same. Would love to do some 3* events. I don't really want to commit to a 4* (2 days) and not so sure 2* is right for me. Can anyone even join the 4* or do you have to compete lower first? I'm on the fence about Taos and/or CB this year.

Squaw is Tram Face right?

Surprised at some of the choices..... Revy should be in there, but the sponsorship dollars may not be there for the heli day and whatnot.

Revy is part of the main tour. I'm curious as to why some of the Canadian events didn't make it, like Red, Fernie and Lake Louise.

Moonlight Basin is stoked to have the tour again this season. Later in March means better coverage all around.
We were asked to do the 30 day closure.

When we finished laughing we agreed to do what we can to preserve the snow and skiing quality as best we can.

Unless terrain is 100% OB, no area would agree to a 30 day closure.

See everyone 3/15.