With clear domination, and outstanding performance in the superfinal, Elias Elhardt won the 5Star Relentless Big Air Stuttgart presented by quiksilver.

Victor de le Rue (FRA) grabbed second place with the best combination of style and tech runs. Third place went to current TTR Big Air World Tour leader Roope Tonteri (FIN).

With wind and snow issues in the morning, the contest had a rocky start. Hurricane Joachim created quite a stir, canceling Friday's training session and causing the organization to seal off the event site. The crew was challenged to prepare ideal conditions for today's competition, but as the winds calmed today the contest took off and presented thousands of spectators some top notch snowboarding.

'It's obviously super cool to win in your home country, the crowd went wild. It's both the first and last contest for me this season, as I will concentrate on filming. Therefore it couldn't have been a better day.' says favorite Elias Elhardt, who won the contest with his Frontside 360 Stalefish - Frontside Boardslide run for style, and a Frontside 900 Melon - 270 Frontside Boardslide on his technical run. With these two runs combined, Elias had the highest score in the super final.

With another 5Star TTR Big Air contest wrapped up, Roope Tonteri is still solidly leading the TTR Big Air World Tour Ranking. German Ethan Morgan moved up into the Big Air second place. There were no changes in the Overall ranking results, Roope Tonteri is still ranked 3rd.

In anticipation of the World Snowboarding Championships from 10-19 february in Oslo, Norway, riders have another few chances in the last days of 2011 to qualify for the Halfpipe and Slopestyle disciplines. 4Star Events US Revolution Tour and the Burton Pro-Test give opportunities in the USA. The O'Neill Evolution, from 2-8 January in Davos (SUI) features a 5Star Halfpipe and 6Star Big Air contest. The 6Star Big Air for men and women will count as a Slopestyle result for WSC qualification. The RedBull Nanshan Open in China is the next 5Star Slopestyle opportunity. WSF 1-3Star events also count for the TTR Points lists. Check the full qualification information on: http://ttrworldtour.com/about/world-snowboarding-championships.html

The OʼNeill Evolution 2012 will once again launch a New Year in euphoric fashion from January 2nd until 7th.

The 6 Star Men and Women's TTR World Snowboard event will see some of the most progressive riders from around the planet gather at the base of the Jacobshorn in Davos, Switzerland, to take to the skies on the revolutionary Big Air, and renowned Halfpipe.

"The O'Neill Evolution is by far one of my favourite events of the year,” said Seb Toots, last year's Evolution Big Air winner. "The Big Air last year was easily the most progressive and innovative we have seen in ages and the final is one I am going to remember forever – for the standard and quality of tricks and the excitement of how close the competition was,” said Seb.

"We were really pushing boundaries and pushing into new levels of the sport,” he said. "I am expecting the same again this year.” Max Henault, alongside shapers Schneestern, will once again build this year's Big Air as well as a creative rail set-up at the bottom, which will count highly towards the final run score.

The brief? To bring yet another new level of progressive riding to the competition. This innovative nature of the competition reflects the core spirit of O'Neill. Fitting then, that the O'Neill Evolution 2012 marks the start of the O'Neill 60th anniversary year- celebrating 60 years of progression and innovation since founder Jack O'Neill invented the wetsuit in 1952.

"Last year we really worked with the riders to give them a safe but challenging platform where they could really push the limits,” said Max Henault. "The athletes had a lot of practice on the jump to make sure they were comfortable with the steep take off. This year we want to continue that and even step it up a level,” he said. "We are doing all we can to promote triple corks from the boys. Itʼs going to be exciting.”

Canadian superstar Seb Toots, one of the few riders pulling out triple corks at the moment, is just one of the massive names in this sport who will make the trip out to the Swiss Alps searching for a piece of the $125,000 prize money as well as valuable TTR World Ranking points.

Also competing in the 2012 O'Neill Evolution will be Swiss rider Nadja Purtschert who relishes the chance to compete on her home ground.

"Evolution is always exciting for me to have the home crowd cheering me,” said Nadja. "It is a competition where we are always pushing ourselves and each other to take the riding to another level. And the crowds that gather at the bottom to watch always bring such a unique and exciting atmosphere. I canʼt wait for 2012.”

As characterises the O'Neill Evolution, the evening finals will be played out under the spotlight in front of the crowds gathered to watch some of the top names in their sport battle it out. Watch the all the action live at www.oneill.com/evolution/live

Source: ttrworldtour.com

With sunshine and mulled wine, the freestyle community was celebrating the Blue Tomato Plan P on the Planai last Sunday! After some weather related delays, the winners of the second QParks Tourstop were smiling with the sun! Leading the snowboarders, Victor Szigeti secured the victory with his brilliant 2nd run. Next to him on the top of the podium was Anna Gasser, who won among the snowboard girls. Last but not least, the rookies rocked the kickers of the Horsefeathers Superpark Planai at a stunning riding level.

Just to see the setup in the morning almost let the shapers forget the hard work the put into it! Fine take offs and a great line provided a perfect playground for all snowboarders! Park designer Andi Röck and his shape crew did their best to turn the arriving fresh snow into a phat slope style paradise – in the middle of December, mind you! There was a big run on the setup, more than 40 riders were battling for QParks Tour points, 1.500 Euros prize money and fancy Blue Tomato, Horsefeathers and TSG goodies! The spirits were kept high by the lose tongues of the speakers Nico Zacek and Jonel Fricke, who entertained the audience with their verbal skills and spontaneous beatboxing performances!

All the tension of the contest was releases symbolically at the prize giving, where the winners were popping champagne! For the winners in the categories ‘Rookies' and ‘Ladies', there was a special surprise: the stoked winners were additionally awarded an adidas eyewear sponsoring contract! In the category snowboard men, Victor Szigeti was the winner of the day. Victor: "My first run wasn´t really good though and I didn´t think that I would make it into the finals! My girlfriend, my friends from the Hungarian freeski mafia and my trainers supported me and finally, I pulled it off in one run! I´m really happy, it´s my second victory in my home resort already!” He also enjoyed the contest setup: "Before the Blue Tomato Plan P, I wasn´t around much ‘cause I got hurt and i was very excited about how the park was going to look on Sunday. I really liked the line and I got some good ideas about what I could implement in the park.” And he did well! Not only did he win the contest, he also convinced the jury with a front flip out of the Polejam and won the category BEST TRICK and thusly received an extra 100 Euros cash!

The Blue Tomato Plan P has been a perfect opportunity to shred with your friends, pull out your freestyle tricks, chill in a deckchair sipping on mulled wine and enjoying fresh powder for a change – on the whole, an awesome contest day - QParks-style!

  These are the final results of the Blue Tomato Plan P:

Snowboard Men
1. Victor Szigeti (HUN)
2. Flo Galler (AUT)
3. Aljosa Krivec (SLO)
4. Päx Mölzl (AUT)
5. Handle Johannes (AUT)

Snowboard Rookie Men
1. Roli Tschoder (AUT)
2. Tit Stante (SLO)
3. Simon Reitsamer (AUT)
4. Lukas Öllinger (AUT)
5. Moritz Kaufmann (AUT)

Snowboard Ladies
1. Anna Gasser (AUT)
2. Sarah Domainko (SLO)
3. Panka Gyarmati (HUN)
4. Klara Dinold (AUT)
5. Christine Szumovski (AUT)

Hottest Shot
Did you make photos at the Blue Tomato Plan P? Well, send them to us! Send your lifestyle or action shots to info@qparkstour.com! Via a Facebook voting, you get the chance get to the finals where you can win a trip to the Balicamp!

The QParks Snowboard Tour goes on!
The next QParks Snowboard Tourstop will take place in the new year. At the Battle ROJal Schöneben on the 14th January 2012, all freestylers will again get the chance to participate in a phat contest! You can find all the information about the Tour and the registration on www.snowboard.qparkstour.com!

Mountain High's $399 Anytime Season Pass sale ends this Friday, December 23rd. This is the best deal of any major resort in Southern California and at just $399, it pays for itself in just six visits. Anytime season passes are good any day or night during the 2011/12 season with no restrictions. Benefits include 10% off non-sale retail items, $10 off adult ski & snowboard lessons, $20 weekday Zip Line Tours at the Wrightwood NAVITAT Center, FREE visits to the North Pole Tubing Park, and new this year, guests will be able to track their days ridden, runs per day, and vertical feet.

Says John McColly, Vice President Of Sales And Marketing, "Get your $399 Anytime Season Pass before Friday or you'll be crying like a baby. See the video http://www.mthigh.com/mountain/videos .”

Thanks to recent storms, Mountain High has some of the best conditions in the state. And with more than $1 Million in improvements this season, there has never been a better time to own a season pass to Mountain High. These include increased snowmaking, signature terrain features, a state-of-the-art rental system, the new Foggy Goggle Lounge, a new BAGJUMP training pad, a new Bison X Park Cat, a Zaugg pipe cutter, and much more.

Make this the season you have been dreaming of with a season pass to Mountain High. Just $399 for an adult, anytime season pass good any day this season including holidays. Children's passes for ages 7 to 12 are also available for just $199 with the purchase of an adult season pass. Kids six and under ski free when accompanied by a paying adult. $10 processing fee per pass. Hurry, this offer ends December 23, 2011 or when sold out so visit mthigh.com for more information or call toll free (888) 754-7878 seven days-a-week from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact John McColly, VP of Sales & Marketing, at 760 316 7803 or john@mthigh.com.

The really tricky part in a snowboarding competition is to get the judging right. The World Championships in Oslo February 2012 requires the worlds' best judges. So let it be written, so let it be done.

"The World Champs is going to showcase the most progressive riders in the world on the best courses with SLS, the most innovative judging system in snowboarding! The World Champs demands the best judging and TTR has selected the most dedicated and focused judges from around the world to judge what is to be the signature event in the history of snowboarding,”says Lee Gregory Johnson, member of the TTR Judges Committee.

The WSC2012 crew and TTR proudly present the best judges in the world, which have judged every major event from Air and Style, US Open, Dew Tour, X-Games and all the TTR -6 star events.

WSC Pipe Judges
Thierry Monay - Head Judge - SUI
Sandy MacDonald - Assistant HJ - CAN
Mel Simmons - NZL
Connor Manning - USA
Carter Smith - CAN
Bartek Golebiowski - POL
Adam Merriman - USA
Fredric Westman - SWE
Martti Hahtonen - FIN
Tony Proctor - USA

WSC Slopestyle Judges
Dani "Kiwi” Meier - Head Judge - NZL
Tom Zikas - Assistant HJ - USA
Pascal Imhoff - SUI
James Stentiford - UK
Ingemar Backman - SWE
Julien Haricot - FRA
Heinz Loele - GER
Giom Morrisset - CAN
Jeremy Lepore - USA
Satu Jarvela – FIN

The SLS system
The Snowboarding Live Scoring System, or SLS, combines a sharp focus on individual tricks combined with overall impression. There are dedicated Trick judges and Flow judges. The combined result of Trick and OI (Overall Impression) judges. The combined result of Trick and OI scores gives a detailed overview of a rider's performance per Trick, their overall run impact, and the effect it has on their ranking. The SLS system allows an easy to follow scoring path delineating how the run result was achieved, a result that can be compared trick by trick, from run to run.

Each TRICK judge (in teams of two) will focus on just one obstacle in the Slopestyle, and one hit in the Halfpipe. Judges will concentrate their judging values on Amplitude, Difficulty and Execution.

Each OI judge (Overall Impression) will focus on the overall impact of the run over the entire course. Judges will concentrate their judging values on Variation, Style and Combinations. Trick and Flow judges will score on a 0 -100 scale. The Run score is the sum of the total trick and flow score and will be communicated with a common 0 – 100 points value.

For more information: www.wsc2012.com

Source: ttrworldtour.com

Halldor Helgason's warped mind invented the Lobster flip. Shaun White chose the Vancouver Olympics to showcase the Tomahawk, a ludicrous double McTwist 1260. Remember Jim Rippey and Terje Haakonson? Yep you guessed it; they've both got inverts named after them too. Now it is time for you to join the club.

Amplid wants you to create a completely new trick or add your own little twist to a classic. An Andrecht handplant with a Chicken Salad grab could be a ‘Saladplant', or an underflip on a stepdown could be a ‘down-under flip'. Who knows what trickery you've got stashed away in your own private arsenal of bangers, but if it's unique we want to see it. Once you've nailed your signature trick and captured it on video or in a photo, we want you to send us the evidence. If your entry is the judge's favorite you will win an Amplid Dopamine Snowboard.

Submissions can be made from Tuesday 29th November 2011 and the last day for entries is Saturday 28th January 2012. Visit the Amplid Facebook Page for more competition details.

More info on amplid products and riders at www.amplid.com !

Amplid Facebook page link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amplid-next-levelriding/ 143093185383?sk=app_281131935238813

You´re eighteen or younger and eager to compete with kids at the same age? Or you want to join your first freestyle snowboard competition? Maybe you want to improve one of your last years results? Or you simply want to enjoy an easy going competition with no pressure at all? Then take your chance and join the 5th edition of the HOTZONE.TV Groms Open at the Vans Penken Park in Mayrhofen at the 6th of January 2012.

Headshaper Sven Toller from Switzerland and his crew will again stand for the perfectly shaped setup which will be of medium size and therefore provide ideal conditions to carry out the slopestyle competition.The girls and boys will be judged by experienced judges from TTR and out of the HOTZONE Pro Rider Pool in the different categories "under 16", "from 16-18" and "girls only". Presumably the setup of the slopestyle will be built up of two rails/boxes and two jumps.

Besides an obligatory goodie bag you´re able to win 1000€ prize money in total, non-cash prizes sponsored by HOTZONE.TV, Vans and the Mayrhofener Bergbahnen and a Wild Card for the Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Austria (4Star TTR).

Schedule

Thursday        05.01.2012
12:00 – 16:00     Open training at the Vans Penken Park
16:00 – 18:00     Riders registration at HOTZONE.TV Mayrhofen Snowboard Proshop

Friday        06.01.2012
08:30 – 09:30      Riders registration at HOTZONE.TV Mayrhofen Snowboard Proshop
10:00 – 11:00     Open training at the Vans Penken Park
11:00                    Reshape, riders meeting at Vans riders tent
11:15 – 12:15     Qualifications
12:15                    Riders meeting at Vans riders tent
12:45 – 13:30     Finals
13:30                    Lunch at Grillhofalm
afterwards           Prize giving

RIDERS OFFICE OPENING TIMES
THU 05.01.2011: 16:00 – 18:30
FRI 06.01.2011: 08:30 – 09:30
HOTZONE.TV Mayrhofen (former „The Seeker")
Scheulingstrasse 390b
6290 Mayrhofen, AUT
Tel: +43 (0)5285 62982

The Junior Open in Laax presented by Zimtstern is slowly becoming an institution: For the 11th time already the event kicks off the season in the European freestyle Mecca with a battle of the next snowboard generation.

December 10 and 11, 2011, the superpipe at Crap Sogn Gion is prepared for the young guns. Last year's bad weather conditions didn't bother the juniors, who showed a high trick level and a lot of style. Swiss Jan Scherrer and the two Austrians Mathias Weissenbacher and Clemens Schattschneider, who by now is part of the Zimtstern Pro Team, found themselves on the podium. As well Zimtstern Snowboard Team Riders Linus Birkendahl and Helene Nadig were competing in the U16 and Ladies contests.

Schedule Junior Open Laax presented by Zimtstern
Qualification is planned for Saturday, 10th December 2011; on Sunday 11th December 2011 the semifinals and finals are taking place. Any snowboarder under 20 years can take part in the competition – there is no age limit for girls. You can earn points for TTR World Tour as well as Audi Snowboard Series and a total price money of 3.000 CHF is waiting for the winners. Don't forget to sign up for the event early on audisnowboardseries.ch as the 160 places were full very soon last year.

Side events
Sure enough, there are some specials waiting apart from the superpipe competition: On Saturday K2 is holding a „Best Photo Contest", where a pro photographer is taking pictures of everyone hitting the jib obstacle at the end of the pipe. The most stylish photo wins 500 Euro cash, so better bring your dope steez to the contest! Zimtstern and Laax welcome you to hang out in their lounge tent.

Zimtstern is looking forward to a great opening event in Laax and hopes to see you there!

Find more information on facebook.com/zimtstern soon and on the official event page at www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196076383802496.

Short facts:
Snowboard halfpipe contest
Saturday, 10.12.2011: Qualification
Sunday, 11.12.2011: Semifinals & finals
Age limit: 20 years, no age limit for girls
Total price money: CHF 3.000.-

Source: www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

In January Stuttgart had already been blessed once. With the "Relentless BIGAIR” event coming to town, a top-class international snowboard comp had its inauguration. And despite not being known as the Mecca of winter sports, the Stuttgart event was a raving success – to more than 10.000 visitors and to the World Snowboard Tour Committee (TTR), who upgraded the contest shortly after its premier from formerly 4-stars to a 5-star TTR event, thus, propelling it to one of the world's most prestigious in snowboarding.

Now "Relentless BIGAIR Stuttgart presented by Quiksilver” is making its come-back: On December 16th and 17th 2011 the international snowboard scene's best riders will gather at Stuttgart's Neckarpark and go head-to-head for a total of 50.000 US-Dollars prize money, as well as 850 TTR-world cup points. To do so, special attention is paid to the playing field the riders will be facing at BIGAIR Stuttgart: the spectacular combination of a big-air jump, measuring 36 metres in height, and a staircase-set equipped with metal handrails – a unique feature for in-city events worldwide. In it's second year Quiksilver joins the event as an important partner.

„We are glad to be part of the Relentless BIGAIR Stuttgart 2011. Due to last years success, we decided to get in touch with the event organizers to discuss a potential collaboration", says Armin Weber, Quiksilver Marketing Manager.

The riders line-up for the second round of "Relentless BIGAIR Stuttgart presented by Quiksilver” promises a competition on the highest level. The actual number one in TTR's world cup ranking, Finn Roope Tonteri, is taking part, as well as his fellow countryman and sixth in the Olympics, Markku Koski. Also attending: Austrian Master Halfpipe & Slopestyle Mathias Weissenbacher, Janni Korpi, who managed to win "Relentless Freeze” last week in London, Swedes Nils Arvidsson and Kevin Backstrom, Mario Käppeli from Switzerland, and highly acclaimed crowd pleaser and last Relentless BIGAIR Stuttgart's second placed rider, Austrian Werni Stock. Stuttgart's Neckarpark will also see a chance for emerging talent to shine and qualify for the pro-event on December 17th (3 pm): The „Rookie-Challenge"-winner will receive a wildcard to enter the main devision, an opportunity to ride along with international stars and to gain experience.

The main event will start at 5 pm with the qualification, followed by the semi-final (7 pm) with eight riders. They compete to get to the big final at 9 pm.

However, not just the athletic competition in round two of "Relentless BIGAIR Stuttgart presented by Quiksilver” is facing intensification – the organisers have made sure to upgrade the side events just as well. Supplying the sound best-fitting to the event will be DJ's "The Famous Deck Team” as well as bands "Die Orsons” and "Die Boys (Deichkind) & Ein Girl (Maral Salmassi)”. The BRANDSTATION trade show showcase its visitors the latest trends in snowboarding. New feature this time will be the Snowboardmuseum, showing exhibits from 40 years of snowboarding history. And of course there will be the musical showdown – the Aftershowparty starting at 10 pm at Club Zollamt – finishing up the event with The Famous Deck Team, Drunken Masters, Kool DJ Swist, Busy Icer + Denson and Tease spinning the wheels.

Ticket sale for "Relentless BIGAIR Stuttgart presented by Quiksilver” is on! Price: 29,50 Euro (instead of 35,00 Euro at the doors).

For information on the event and advanced booking go to: www.bigair-stuttgart.com

Schedule

Friday, December 16th 2011
1.00 pm – 8.00 pm (free entry)
+ Official training
+ Brandstation & exhibition
+ Snowboardmuseum

Saturday, December 17th 2011
1.00 pm Admission
3.00 pm Rookie Challenge
5.00 pm Qualifying
6.30 pm "Die Boys” & "Ein Girl” (Maral Salmassi) – LIVE –
7.00 pm Semi-final
8.30 pm "Die Orsons” – LIVE –
9.00 pm Finale
9.30 pm Award ceremony
10.00 pm Aftershowparty
+ Brandstation & exhibition
+ Snowboardmuseum

The battle for four championship titles amongst the world's best snowboarders will soon take place in Oslo Winter Park, Norway. In addition, Terje Håkonsen will challenge the bravest of the brave to break his world record for highest air in a quarterpipe (9,8 meters) in one of the world's most famous sporting arenas, Holmenkollen. Tickets for these historical moments are now available.

Spectacular achievements on an international level, accompanied by music entertainment, predict the conditions worthy of a winter festival. 240 of the world's best riders from 30 countries will compete for the four prestigious World Cup titles: slopestyle and halfpipe for men and women. This will go down in Oslo Winter Park (Wyller), which right now is making Europe's largest halfpipe and a state of the art slopestyle course. The quarterpipe session in Holmenkollen ski jump arena Friday night kicks the weekend of the finals off to new levels of riding. World record holder Håkonsen intends to defend his title by riding himself and inspire the next generation to enter new heights.

Fair access to the qualifications combined with tough international competition and extremely high level make sure the true masters of snowboarding meet in the finals. The competitors carry out tricks and rotations in speeds up to 80 km/h, several meters into the air before they land on hard snow.

Family friendly prices 10th - 15th of February is for training and qualification, without ticket sales. The last four days, 16th - 19th February, are open for the audience. Tickets are available at www.billettservice.no. You can also buy tickets at Narvesen, 7-Eleven and the Post Office. Tickets cost from NOK 100 to 250 (excluding service fee). All tickets are unnumbered. Children under the age of 6 have free admission, while children under the age of 12 get a 50% discount. The tickets are more expensive if purchased at the entrance gates.

"We wish that many people will choose to experience the Snowboarding World Championships, and have therefore chosen to set affordable ticket prices. It is an exciting and spectator friendly sport," says Nina Horn Hynne, Communications Manager at World Snowboarding Championships.

In 2010 Oslo was awarded the World Snowboarding Championships by the World Snowboard Federation and the Ticket to Ride World Series (TTR). The vision is to show the world what a wonderful sport snowboarding is when it is organized by snowboarders. The championships in Oslo, is the first world championship organized by snowboarders since 1999.

Link to ticket purchase: http://www.wsc2012.com/buy-tickets/

Programme and ticket prices

Note: all prices are excluding service fee. Tickets are more expensive if purchased at the entrance.

Thursday 16th of February 13.15 – 20:00:
Kl. 13.15 Semi finals women, halfpipe, Oslo Winter Park (Wyller)
Kl. 16.55 Semi finals men halfpipe, Oslo Winter Park (Wyller)
NOK. 200 /NOK. 100 for children under 12/Children under 6 free admission

Friday 17th of February 9.30 – 16.30:
Kl. 9.30 Semi finals women, slopestyle, Oslo Winter Park (Wyller)
Kl. 13.10 Semi finals men, slopestyle, Oslo Winter Park (Wyller)
NOK. 200 /NOK. 100 for children under 12/Children under 6 free admission

Friday 17th of February 18.30 – 21.15 (time not confirmed)
Kl. 17.00 Gates to shopping area open
Kl. 18.30 Quarterpipe contest, Holmenkollbakken
Kl. 19.40 Concert, Holmenkollbakken
Kl. 20.15 Highest Air session, Holmenkollbakken
NOK. 200 /NOK. 100 for children under 12/Children under 6 free admission

Saturday 18th of February 15.45 – 19.00
Kl. 15.45 Finals women, halfpipe, Oslo Vinter Park (Wyller)
Kl. 17.40 Finals men, halfpipe, Oslo Winter Park (Wyller)
NOK. 200 /NOK. 100 for children under 12/Children under 6 free admission

Sunday 19th of February 11 – 14.30
Kl. 11 Finals women, slopestyle, Oslo Winter Park (Wyller)
Kl. 13.00 Finals men, slopestyle, Oslo Winter Park (Wyller)
NOK. 200 /NOK. 100 for children under 12/Children under 6 free admission

Source: www.worldsnowboardfederation.org