This winter season, the friendly freeride contest Kick the Vik is taking a step back to its roots and bidding farewell to the Freeride World Tour as a qualifier. From March 22 to 24, 2013, the SAC Maighelshütte on the Oberalp Pass will once again be taken over by a manageable number of deep snow enthusiasts on one board, two thick slats or heel-free. The most impressive line choice and riding style will also win on the contest day. Freeride World Tour criteria ?! No thanks!
Our roving reporter Hanna will be at the start again this year at PowderGuide to report for you.
Freeride enthusiasts, some of whom have made the pilgrimage from all over Europe to the Swiss canton of Graubünden, spend three unforgettable days together with like-minded people at the SAC Maighelshütte in the breathtaking mountain region of the Maighel Valley on the Oberalp Pass. During the three days of the event, skiers, snowboarders and telemark skiers pursue their passion for freeriding together and also compete on the scheduled contest day. The competitive nature of the Eco Freeride Contest is not neglected either.
How it all began...
Four years ago, the unique Eco Freeride event Kick the Vik was launched for the first time by the likeable organizer Markus Boss aka Viktor Kick the Vik. Since then, Markus has put his heart and soul into organizing a unique freeride event for the riders every year. The whole thing is moderated and accompanied in a funny and charming way by the Swiss freerider of the first hour - Viktor Kick the Vik.
As a veteran of the Swiss off-piste scene, Viktor naturally expects the faces and lines to be accessed by freeriders without motorized lifts and with just a few skins or snowshoes. Viktor and his freeride buddies even bring all the technical equipment needed for the event to the Maighelshütte using their own muscle power. After all, the skiing and judging takes place where it is absolutely safe in terms of avalanche conditions, because you don't want to hear the sound of detonations in the breathtaking Maighels Valley either.
The fact that Kick the Vik is no longer a Freeride World Tour qualifier does nothing to detract from the freeride event. On the contrary. On the popularity scale, Vitkor's event, Kick the Vik, only climbs higher. After all, it has always been about nothing other than freeriding - and in an ecological way.
You can find more information about Kick the Vik here: www.kickthevik.com
