After the recent heavy snowfalls, the freeride routes at Kitzsteinhorn currently offer excellent powder conditions. But that's not the only reason why the X OVER RIDE Kitzsteinhorn 2012 from March 22nd to 25th 2012 will present freeriding at the highest level. For the first time in its 8-year history, the big mountain contest will be held as a 3-star qualifier of the Freeride World Tour. At the most important freeride tour in the world, national and international top riders on skis and snowboards fight for prize-money and important points for the overall ranking.

The X OVER RIDE has first been held in 2004 and has continued to progress since. The event started as a grassroots freeride cross contest at the Langwied slope und quickly evolved to an annual season's highlight with competitions in freeriding, slopestyle and superpipe. Now the X OVER RIDE will return to its roots and focus on his past as a big mountain freeride contest for freeskiers and snowboarders. It will be held as a Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) for the first time, including two runs at the slopes of Geißstein and Lakarschneid-Langwied on two days. Participation is limited. The current ranking of the Freeride World Tour will decide which applicants can enter the event. For everyone who is not placed in the Freeride World Tour ranking yet, an open qualifier to the FWQ*** main event will be held on March 17th 2012 at the Kristallbahn slope.

Due to reliable snow conditions and a great variety of off-piste runs, Kitzsteinhorn is just the right spot for an event like the X OVER RIDE. The glacier in the region of Zell am See and Kaprun, Salzburg County, Austria, is one of the most popular freeriding hot spots of the Alps. Wide powder fields, nice cliff jumps, cornices and natural pipes: located right next to the lifts, the five Kitzsteinhorn freeride routes offer everything off-piste lovers could wish for. Since Kitzsteinhorn has opened the new freeride routes under the slogan "Freeride XXL” and provided them with an informative system of signs, the powder slopes on Austria's first glacier ski resort have become even more popular. This information system concentrates on a comprehensive education on alpine dangers and calls on individual responsibility.

The five marked ski routes "Westside Story", "Left Wing", "Jump Run", "Pipe Line", and "Ice Age" offer beautiful ridges, natural pipes, kickers, and pipes. At the Freeride Info Base next to the Alpincenter, freeriders get all the information on the freeride routes as well as current weather, snow and avalanche conditions. Additionally, they'll find a checkpoint for their avalanche transceivers, equipment tips, and much more. At the Freeride Info Points, riders will find more information, like a topographic map showing the steepness of the slope, dangerous spots, and the most beautiful line. In addition, they can get advice on security and emergency measures.

A further offering for freeriders at Kitzsteinhorn is the free PIEPS Avalanche Training Center near the ICE CAMP. It offers off-piste fans the perfect conditions to practise the handling of their avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel. And for freeride beginners or advanced riders who want to improve their skills and alpine knowledge, Kitzsteinhorn offers various Freeride Camps, arranged by Kaprun ski schools such as Hartweger's and Oberschneider, or Freeride Experience.

Further information and videos of all five freeride routes can be found at www.kitzsteinhorn.at. For information on X OVER RIDE Kitzsteinhorn 2012 and registration for the X OVER RIDE Open Qualifier, please visit www.x-over.at. Registration for the X OVER RIDE Kitzsteinhorn 2012 FWQ*** at www.freerideworldtour.com !

There's hardly a park that offers more freestyle action than the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn! Apart from the Easy Park and Austria's biggest Superpipe, as of now the Central Park additionally has shredheads jump with joy! As befits a proper opening, we've had a good long look at the park paradise at a shooting. Snowboard pro Stephan Wimmer told us just what it is that makes the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn stand out!

Every day, hundreds of freestyle fans swarm the Easy Park and Central park, in order to enjoy the tons of freestyle fun the Snowark Kitzsteinhorn has to offer. Among them three snowboard pros pros enjoyed a sunny day on the mountain at an unwound shooting on location, in order to put the setup to the test!

In a short interview, pro Stephan Wimmer told us what the shooting was like and what sets the Kitzsteinhorn apart.

Stephan, you've been a passionate snowboarder for 14 years now and frequently pay the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn a visit! What is the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn to you?
What I like most is that the whole park offers countless options to run wild! I don't think there's any other park in Austria that is nearly as varied.

As a pro, I'm sure you expect a sophisticated park setup. Would you recommend the Kitzsteinhorn to other snowboarders?
As I just said, there's no other park in Austria that offers such varied lines. There's also a perfect pipe and easy jumps, followed by great rails and two lines with two kickers of different sizes each in the Central Park! The whole park area faces south and sensibly shaped, so even a critic like me can't do anything but praise the park. ;-)

Which obstacle in the Central Park did you like best at the shooting?
I think I had most fun on the Roller in the Pro Line. You don't often find such a great variation of a kicker!

On www.snowpark-kitzsteinhorn.at the whole setup is being updated on a daily basis. What's more, you can also download our free Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn iPhone App, in order to always stay up do date!

For the clips and pictures from the shooting, go to the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn website and have a look at the varied offer for yourself!

With our „Power of T(z)en" special, under-19-year-olds can delve into the freestyle Eldorado Kitzsteinhorn for only 10 Euros every Saturday until the 5th of May 2012!

Swatch and the TTR World Snowboard Tour are pleased to announce the third annual Swatch Art Rules Design Contest. It offers artists the chance of a lifetime to have their artwork featured on the 2012/13 TTR World Tour Trophy and matching Swatch Tour Watch. The TTR Trophy, which was sculpted by renowned "Coarse” designer, Mark Landwehr, acts as a blank canvas for artists to get creative. One lucky winner will have the honor of their work being part of snowboarding history. The Contest is on now through March 27th, 2012 and artists can submit their designs at www.artrules.swatch.com.

Swatch Art Rules is an excellent opportunity for an artist to showcase their work and break into the spotlight through the snowboard and art worlds. As one of the most coveted awards in freestyle snowboarding, the TTR Tour trophy is featured throughout the TTR season and is awarded to the tour champions live on stage at the biggest events in the sport. In addition, the matching Swatch Tour Watch with the winning design will be produced and distributed worldwide in 2012/2013.

This year's installment of the design contest presents a challenge to the artists of the world: submit a graphic design that expresses the themes of Progression and Style. Progression and Style are two elements that run through all aspects of snowboarding and an artist's interpretation of these themes will make the TTR Trophy and Swatch Tour Watch aesthetically complete.

A jury of snowboard and art experts selects the winning design from all submitted proposals. The top three nominees will be invited to the Swatch Art Rules Night gala event in May 2012 in the Los Angeles area (USA) where the winning design and artist are set to be unveiled to the world. In addition to the portfolio-building exposure, the winner also receives a two-week trip to New York City to soak up all the art and design inspiration of the Big Apple.

The Swatch Art Rules Design Contest has just started, so get the creative juices flowing and submit your final designs by March 27th, 2012. For full details surrounding the contest and for instructions on how to submit your design, visit www.artrules.swatch.com

For the 8th time in a row Norway presented the best team at the Protest World Rookie Fest in Livigno, standing out as the most influent nation in youth competitive snowboard programs. On the podium we also greeted riders from Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Belgium and Poland. The finals of this 3Star TTR slopestyle produced massive tricks and tons of style in the Mottolino Swatch Snowpark, perfectly shaped despite of the lack of snow and the storms of the last weeks: nothing can stop Mottolino resort in Livigno when the Black Yeti squad is awaited.

Norwegian ripper Ole Christian Hagen resulted best rider of the Protest World Rookie Fest 2012 in Livigno. The other male rookies on the podium were Swiss talent Michael Scharer and Norwegian rising star Jonas Veddegjerde. The grom male section was dominated by the Norwegians who got the top 4 place. Mons Roislan turned out best under 14: start remembering this name.

Among the girls Polish Katarzina Rusin won in the rookies category, while shredder Katerina Vojakova (Czech Republic) took first place among the groms.

Protest World Rookie Fest 2012 in Livigno was the best edition ever, with a great lifestyle program of activities including "Trip to Chile" and "Art of Flight" video premiere, a Yoga session and Bob Klein's workshop "Wanna be a Pro Snowboarder?" Further experiences counted a city contest at the new Cable Park, a wellness day at the Aquagranda SPA and, finally the unforgettable final party at Miky's Pub.

Find the full list of the final results on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org. Full photo gallery with shots from ALL the riders will be soon available on the official fan page.

Watch the video highlights from the finals with the winning runs of the best riders: vimeo.com/35221244

Follow the Yeti online @

Web: www.worldrookietour.com and www.worldsnowboardfederation.org
facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/worldrookietour
vimeo channel: vimeo.com/channels/worldrookietour

CARLSBAD, Calif.—SPY® today announced its eyewear sponsorship of the X Fest at the Winter X Games, Jan. 26 through Jan. 29, 2012 in Aspen, Colo.

"The SPY crew is amping on this sponsorship because it properly underscores our commitment to snow sports generally and at the same time allows us to back the tremendous talent we have on our snow team roster,” says Kevin Casillo, SPY marketing manager. "Our snowboarders, skiers and snowmobilers put a lot of preparation and training toward this contest so we're stoked to help make the X Games rad for them and the fans in attendance.”

SPY athletes slated to compete in the big show include SPY's reigning Winter X Games Europe SuperPipe Gold Medalist Louie Vito; reigning Winter X Games Europe Ski Slopestyle Gold Medalist JF Houle; Women's SuperPipe charger Sarka Pancochova; and previous Gold and Silver Medal Freestyle Snowmobile Winner Justin Hoyer.

"Louie Vito has been gaining momentum going into this event, we know he's capable of pulling-off some big moves and he's definitely a threat to take gold in Men's SuperPipe,” said Casillo. "JF and Sarka are capable of big results, as well, and Justin is planning on doing something huge, so it's going to be exciting.”

The on-site SPY tent will host rider autograph sessions, games and serve as a demo station for the all-new SPY Platoon goggle: the biggest, cleanest, technical spherical goggle available. The Platoon is equipped with fog-free, optically-correct and distortion-free ARC® (Accurate Radius Curve) spherical dual lens; the SPY-patented Scoop® venting system; triple-layer Isotron™ face foam featuring moisture-wicking Dri-Force™ fleece; dual-adjustment, silicone-ribbed strap; and 100% UV protection.

"We couldn't be happier with the feedback we've gotten on the Platoon so far,” says Brent Sandor, SPY brand manager. "Naturally, Winter X is the ideal venue for unveiling the Platoon goggle to ski and snow enthusiasts on a grander stage. It's where some of the most technical riding goes down, so it's a perfect match. If you haven't seen it yet do yourself a favor, stop by the SPY tent in Aspen and take the Platoon on some laps. You'll be crying tears of joy, but your Platoons will be crystal clear. ”

For the complete Winter X tune-in schedule, go to espn.go.com/action/xgames/winter/2012/schedule. For more information about SPY, log-on at www.spyoptic.com and for on-site updates from SPY at X Games go to www.facebook.com/spyoptic.

The attack of 'Atagge' is near – 'foreal'! Thanks to Mother Holle the Crystal Ground is blessed with loads of snow and the shapecrew will put their shoulders to the wheel to build a mega-setup. On 28 January 2012 the park will be put to the test as one or another snowboard hero has announced himself.

Snow, snow and even more snow. In the past days a decent amount of white gold was sent to the Crystal Ground. So the setup can even be extended! Beside the rails in different shapes and lengths, poles, wallrides, a two kicker line and all sorts of other gimmicks, all beginners can have a crack on the Easy-Line. What more could one want?

The next Saturday, 28 January 2012 should already be marked red in your agenda as you must not miss the ATAGGE – FOREAL – DEMO with Alex Tank, Flo Geiger and Basti Kuhn. You can shred together with the lads and have a good time with yummy BBQ and decent music. At the same time the guys of ThirtyTwo can be met in the park. So if you would like to make a dream come true and want to shred with JP Walker, Scott Stevens, Joe Sexton, Danny Larsen, Chris Grenier, Markku Koski, Toni Kerkelä, Dominik Wagner, Benny Urban or Dani Rajcsanyi the Crystal Ground is THE place to be on this day.

These two events almost force to pack your stuff and take the trip to Kleinwalsertal. The forecast for the weekend looks good so – get together and shred!

All further information concerning the park or events can be found on www.crystalground.com. From Wednesday on you will also find some fresh pics of the new setup on www.facebook.com/crystalground!

Swatch Art Rules – make your mark on this year’s TTR Trophy and official Swatch Tour Watch.

Each snowboarding season, Swatch teams up with TTR to find the most creative, adrenaline-fuelled design for the World Snowboard Tour Trophy.

Last year’s winner, Frankie Leong, paid both physical and emotional tribute to that inspiring moment when the victor lifts their prize.

Now it’s your turn – if you’ve got what it takes to design the next TTR World Snowboard Tour Trophy, register at www.artrules.swatch.com and get started. The winning design will also feature on the official Swa

Third time Dew Tour winner, Tom Wallisch, gives us an insider's view of the Nike Open Breckenridge Slopestyle Course.

http://www.allisports.com/winter-dew-tour

DC Snow has launched the second season of This Is Snowboarding, featuring Devun Walsh, Iikka Backstrom, Lauri Heiskari, and Aaron Biittner with highlights from the 2011 season.

Ryan's video is the 5th in the series.

Keep an eye out for the new videos weekly by checking out the DC Snow website at http://www.dcshoes.com/snow, and the DC Snow Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/dcsnowboarding

The fourth annual TTR 5Star Burton Canadian Open 2012 is geared up and ready to see some of the best riders at the Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta.

Can't make it out? Then be sure to check out the live webcast February 3rd-4th at www.redbull.tv.
Check out www.opensnowboarding.com for times and information.