Flo Orley

On February 8, 2014, Europe's contest freeride elite gathered once again in Hochfügen to collect valuable points for the Freeride World Qualifier Tour. The 4* event is a highlight for many of the athletes thanks to the perfect organization, the unique supporting program and the perfect terrain - and so, as every year, the numerous spectators were treated to an impressive show. Max Kroneck secured victory in the men's ski category, Flo Orley won the men's snowboard category, Lotten Rapp the women's ski category and Amber Schueker the women's snowboard category.

The Big Mountain Hochfügen 4* FWQ is now an established contest with a very strong field of riders on a slope that can easily compete with most of the FWT faces. This was one of the reasons why the podium places at the 2013 edition were mainly occupied by current FWT riders, above all Loic Collomb-Patton, who qualified for the World Tour with his victory and has been unstoppable ever since. While the conditions on the slopes were pretty good at times due to the difficult winter in the Northern Alps (PowderGuide tested them on site), the mild temperatures and foehn are currently putting quite a strain on the snowpack. Nevertheless, we hope for a successful competition from 08.02.2014 in safe conditions!

The Freeride Survival Handbook by Melanie Schönthier and Stephan Bernhard is packed full of knowledge on its 144 pages; because in the mountains you should be prepared for everything.

Full, full, - Freeride Film Festival. That was the first impression you got at this year's tour stop in Vienna. The queues at the box office, at the advance ticket collection and at the face check at the entrance were enormous.

Who hasn't heard phrases like "Take care" from their loved ones when setting off for a day in the mountains? Sometimes these well-intentioned words are annoying, but you can understand them. But how do relatives of professional freeriders feel when they set off for their work?

Last weekend, everything revolved around the X OVER RIDE Big Mountain on the Kitzsteinhorn. It was the second year for the organizers within the Freeride World Qualifier series. As expected, the field of riders was very strong: it was not only about the Open Faces overall victory, but also about securing the last points for entry into the premier class, the Freeride World Tour. With bright sunshine and perfect conditions, nothing stood in the way of the crowning finale of the Open Faces Freeride Series. For PowderGuide, participants Julian Zenzmaier and Jochen Mesle were on site and report on their impressions.

The countdown for the OPEN FACES 3* FWQ on the Stubai Glacier has begun. On February 23rd at the first 3-star qualifier on the Stubai Glacier, well-known names from the Austrian freeride scene have announced their participation: from Flo Orley and Max Zipser to Simon Wohlgenannt and Martin Rofner to Lorraine Huber and Angelika Kaufmann. After a break of several weeks, the Open Faces series is back and the higher-class 3* events are now all about overall victory.

Last weekend, the freeride hotspot Hochfügen once again welcomed the best contest riders to the annual Big Mountain Event. The freeride contest is one of the top-class 4* events within the Freeride World Qualifier series and attracted many onlookers thanks to the good weather. For PowderGuide, participants Julian Zenzmaier and Jochen Mesle were there to report on their impressions.

Christine Hargin and Drew Tabke underline their role as favorites among the skiers on this year's Freeride World Tour. Jonathan Charlet wins on his home mountain, as does Laura Dewey among the snowboarders.

"ALL WINNERS IN VERBIER ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS" could already be read in the news on the Freeride Worldtour homepage on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, March 24th, in front of 1000 spectators sizzling in the sun and another 25,000 cheering live via the internet, the top riders were allowed to draw their signatures into the steep north face of the Bec des Rosses. The 16th edition of the Verbier Xtreme and the Freeride World Tour have now come to an end.

After the kick-off in La Clusaz and the unfortunately canceled Engadinsnow, the top riders of the FWQ gathered in Hochfügen (Zillertal) in Tyrol from February 4 to 5, 2012 to really heat up the spectators despite (or perhaps because of!?) temperatures of around -20°C. The cold powder and the first-class starting field ensured a freeride show at the highest level.