The Ostwand Open Big Mountain Jam for everyone took place for the seventh time on 17.3.2012 in Hochfügen. The privately organized freeride event was a complete success with the best weather, spectacular action and a harmonious community. Due to the postponement, the starting field of 24 participants was somewhat smaller than in previous years, but represented the heart of the scene from leisure skiers to pro riders aged between seven (!!) and 50 years.
Highlight video of the 7th Ostwand Open
The privately organized freeride event is not a competition that will ever make it as a qualifying event for a World Tour, nor does it want to. The Ostwand Open is all about freeriding together and having fun. Anyone who freerides at least occasionally in Hochfügen and can safely master the Superbowl or Ostwand descent can take part. PowderGuide was live on site (to represent the pleasure skier faction) and even secured the "Best Powderturn"award with a discreetly unplanned line. However, as all participants receive an award at the Ostwand Open and are also presented with sponsor goodies, there is no reason to get too excited.
Once again, the "Superbowl" was chosen as the location this year (see book: PowderGuide: The best freeride areas in the Alps, p.120ff). The snow conditions were favorable with some settled powder snow in the shady areas and soft firn on the sunny side. Most riders completed three runs before we concluded the active part of the day with a small kicker session and moved on to the BBQ at the Kristallbar. Awards and prizes were presented at 17:00. The presentation of the 40-minute film with all the runs began afterwards and ran until the early hours of the morning.
The performance of Marc Hartinger and Fabian Bergrath deserves special mention this year, as they pushed each other to ever more spectacular runs with plenty of courage and skill.
A great event that should actually be held in every freeride ski resort with a freeride scene.
