FRIDAY 23^RD

JUNIOR RAIL JAM 6pm

KICKING OFF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WITH A FREE COMPETITION! REGISTRATION FROM 4PM, FOR AGES 18 AND UNDER.

NIGHT RIDING 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNKBEDS!

SATURDAY 24^TH

MAN DAY!!!!

MEAT, BEER, CHOPPING WOOD, SNOWBOARDING. MAN ONLY AREAS. A DAY TO CELEBRATE BEING A MAN.

SAVE THE SNOW DAY WITH MOVING PLANET

COME UP, TAKE A HIKE, AND SHOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THE SNOW. SEE WWW.SNOWPARKNZ.COM FOR MORE DETAILS.

SUNDAY 25^TH

TIE-DYE DAY!

OUT WITH THE NEW, IN WITH THE OLD… YEAH TIE-DYE! FACE PAINTING, $20 LESSONS AND GEAR FOR UNDER 6’S.

TUESDAY 27^TH

NIGHT RIDING 5pm – 9pm GIRLS RIDE FREE!!!!

$15 BUNK BEDS… WITH ONLY DAYS OF THE SEASON LEFT TO GO, YOU BETTER MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

THURSDAY 29^TH SPRING FEST BEGINS!

THE LONGEST BOX IN TOWN COMPETITION 6pm

CAN YOU MAKE IT TO THE END???

NIGHT RIDING 5pm – 9pm

ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM. $15 BUNK BEDS!

FRIDAY 30^TH

SNOW PARK DOWN HILL 3pm

GET YOUR RACE ON – LYCRA EVEN??

NIGHT RIDING 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNK BEDS – LAST SLEEP OVER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SEASON!!!

SATURDAY 1^ST CLOSING DAY

RASTA DAY, LIVE MUSIC, AND APRES SKI 9am – 8pm

Week 11: Thursday 15th – Wednesday 21st September

SNOW PARK NZ SPRING EDIT COMPETITION BEGINS!

IT’S SIMPLE.

MAKE A 2-4 MINUTE SPRING EDIT SHOWING US WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT SNOW PARK IN SPRINGTIME.

POST IT ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

MOST ‘LIKES’ AS AT 12PM OCTOBER 1^ST (CLOSING DAY) WINS!!!

THURSDAY 15^TH

NIGHT RIDING 5pm – 9pm

HAPPY HOUR 4 – 5PM, ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM. $15 BUNK BEDS – EAT. SLEEP. RIDE. REPEAT.

THE LAST OF NIGHT’N’DAY

THE FINAL NIGHT OF OUR SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

FRIDAY 16^TH

NIGHT RIDING 5pm – 9pm

HAPPY HOUR 4 – 5PM. $15 BUNK BEDS!!

RWC JAPAN VS. ALL BLACKS!!

AT SNOW PARK NZ WE ARE ALL KINDS OF PATRIOTIC…AND INTO SPORTS AND STUBBIES AND STUFF. SO IF YOU WERE WORRIED NIGHT RIDING MIGHT CLASH WITH THE JAPAN VS. ALL BLACK GAME, FEAR NOT, IT WILL BE PLAYING ON THE WOOLSHED TVs!

SUNDAY 18^TH

INTERNATIONAL PIRATE DAY!!

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU: EYE PATCHES, FLANNEL, PIRATE HATS, PIRATE ALTER EGOS AND THE BEST PIRATE TALK YOU CAN DO ALL DAY LONG!! COME JOIN US FOR TREASURE HUNTS

TUESDAY 20^TH

NIGHT RIDING! 5pm – 9pm GIRLS RIDE FREE!!!!

ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM. $15 BUNK BEDS!!

Week 10: Thursday 8th – Wednesday 14th September

THURSDAY 8^TH

DJ KNOWS ALPINE TOUR 2011!!

DJ KNOWS STOPS OFF AT SNOW PARK NZ ON THE 2011 TOUR – THIS AFTERNOON IN THE WOOLSHED!!

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

HAPPY HOUR 4-5PM, ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM. $15 BUNK BEDS, YOU SAID YOU NEVER WANTED TO LEAVE, RIGHT?

NIGHT’N’DAY

SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

FRIDAY 9^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

HAPPY HOUR 4 – 5PM. $15 BUNKBEDS!!

SUNDAY 11^TH

VOLCOM PEANUT BUTTER RAIL JAM and APRES SKI AFTER PARTY!!!

FREE ENTRY! FREE LUNCH! FREE GIVEAWAYS! EVENT KICKS OFF AT 10AM, REGISTRATION AT 9AM. DIVISIONS: 15-, 16+, GIRLS AND OPEN. FOLLOWED BY A SPACED-THEMED APRES SKI (that’s right – we’re classy) AFTER PARTY FEATURING DJ CENTS AND FRIENDS!!

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

MONDAY 12^TH

EVERYDAY’S A SATURDAY…

WHEN YOU LIVE IN A RESORT TOWN!! SHRED THE DAY AWAY, SMUG WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE NOT SUFFERING FROM MONDAY-ITIS!

TUESDAY 13^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm GIRLS RIDE FREE!!!

ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM. $15 BUNK BEDS, NOBODY LIKES TO HITCH… STAY UP HERE INSTEAD!

Week 9:  Thursday 1st – Wednesday 7th September

THURSDAY 1^ST – THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

THE NORTH FACE FREESKI OPEN – SLOPESTYLE QUALIFIERS

FREESTYLE SKIING IS TAKING OVER, AND THE PROGRESSION IS UNSTOPPABLE – COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

HAPPY HOUR 4 – 5PM. $15 BUNK BEDS… SO MUCH ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES!

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME.

FRIDAY 2^ND

THE NORTH FACE FREESKI OPEN – SLOPESTYLE FINALS

POST UP ON THE WOOLSHED BALCONY, OR WATCH FROM THE CHAIR WHILE TAKING LAPS, IT WILL BE AN EVENT TO REMEMBER!

SNOW GIRLS DAY ONE

SNOW GIRLS IS A PERFECT GET AWAY FOR LADY SHREDDERS IN NEED OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND COACHING IN THE PARK. CHECK OUT THE BLOG FROM OUR LAST CAMP ON WWW.SNOWPARKNZ.COM!

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

HAPPY HOUR 4 – 5PM. $15 BUNK BEDS!!

THE AIR BAG!! 11am -4pm

STARTING WITH DAY RIDING IF THERE IS ENOUGH DEMAND! GET YOUR CREW DOWN HERE TO WATCH THE OPEN AND GET SOME BAG TIME!  OPEN TO ALL FROM 5 AND OVER, $15/HOUR or $10/3 HITS. HELMETS COMPULSORY.

SATURDAY 3^RD

THE NORTH FACE FREESKI OPEN – HALFPIPE

THE FINAL DAY OF THE NORTH FACE FREESKI OPEN AT SNOW PARK NZ IS THE HALF PIPE COMPETITION. SKIERS HAVE BEEN TRAINING ALL SEASON FOR THIS AND IT IS GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE!

SNOW GIRLS DAY TWO

DAY TWO BEGINS – BURYING THE SNOW BUNNY, AND BRINGING ON THE NEW BREED OF SNOW SHARKS!

SUNDAY 4^TH

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

SNOW GIRLS DAY THREE

FINAL DAY OF THE CAMP WILL BE ALL ABOUT STOMPING AND CELEBRATING THE NEW TRICKS, POPPING CHAMPAGNE, AND HANDING OUT SOME PRIZES!!

TUESDAY 6^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm GIRLS RIDE FREE TONIGHT!!

ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM. $15 BUNK BEDS!!

Week 8:  Friday 26th – Thursday 1st September

FRIDAY 26^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNKBEDS. BRING YOUR PJS, SAVE YOUR GAS, AND STAY FOR THE NIGHT!

AIR BAG 5pm – 9pm

$15 PER HOUR SESSIONS OR $10 FOR THREE HITS, WITH FREE COACHING FROM A LEVEL 3 INSTRUCTOR! SEE YOU THERE!

SUNDAY 28^TH FATHER’S DAY!

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

TUESDAY 30^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM. $15 BUNKBEDS, MAKING SLEEPOVERS COOL AGAIN.

WEDNESDAY 31^ST

THE NORTH FACE FREESKI OPEN PRACTICE DAY

RIDERS ACCREDITATION AND SLOPESTYLE AND HALF PIPE PRACTICE.

THURSDAY 1^ST THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!

LET THE SPRING MADNESS BEGIN…  STAY TUNED FOR SPRING FEST FUN AT SNOW PARK NZ!

THE NORTH FACE FREESKI OPEN – SLOPESTYLE QUALIFIERS

FREESTYLE SKIING IS TAKING OVER, AND THE PROGRESSION IS UNSTOPPABLE – COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

HAPPY HOUR 4 – 5PM, ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM. $15 BUNKBEDS!!

AIR BAG 5pm – 9pm

$15 PER HOUR SESSIONS OR $10 FOR THREE HITS, WITH FREE COACHING FROM A LEVEL 3 INSTRUCTOR! SEE YOU THERE!

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

Week 7:  Thursday 18th – Wednesday 24th August

FRIDAY 19^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNK BEDS. BRING YOUR PJS, SAVE YOUR GAS, AND STAY FOR THE NIGHT!

SATURDAY 20^TH

WINTER GAMES SNOWBOARD SLOPESTYLE

DAY ONE OF THE SNOWBOARD SLOPESTYLE KICKS OFF WITH A PRACTICE DAY.

SUNDAY 21^ST

WINTER GAMES SNOWBOARD SLOPESTYLE

PRACTICE IS OVER, LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!

WINTER GAMES VIP AFTER PARTY FEATURING SUNSHINE SOUND SYSTEM AND MC BEAU!!!!

AS ALWAYS WE NEVER MISS OUT ON A GREAT EXCUSE TO PARTY – GIVE IN TO THAT FEAR OF MISSING OUT, AND JOIN US ALL IN CELEBRATION! 100 TICKETS WILL BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC.

SPECIAL NIGHT RIDING

SEE THE COMPETITION. GET INSPIRED. GO FOR A NIGHT SHRED. THEN HAVE A WEE PARTY. RECIPE FOR SUCCESS.

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

TUESDAY 23^RD

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

LIVE ACOUSTIC SET FROM 6PM.

$15 BUNK BEDS, THE FUN NEVER ENDS!

Week 6: Thursday 11 – Wednesday 17th August

THURSDAY 11^TH

NIGHT RIDING WITH THIRTYTWO BOOTS!! 5pm – 9pm

SHRED THE PARK WITH SOME OF THIRTYTWO’S TOP INTERNATIONAL RIDERS!

$15 BUNK BEDS, SLUMBER PARTY! HAPPY HOUR 4-5pm

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

FRIDAY 12^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNK BEDS, THE FUN NEVER ENDS! HAPPY HOUR 4-5pm

SUNDAY 14^TH

WINTER GAMES FREESKI SLOPESTYLE DAY ONE – PRACTICE

FOR TWO DAYS ELITE SKIERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL CONVERGE ON SNOW PARK. GET READY TO SEE THESE COMPETITORS REDEFINE THE BOUNDARIES OF FREESTYLE SKIING!

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

MONDAY 15^TH

WINTER GAMES FREESKI SLOPESTYLE DAY TWO – COMPETITION

THE COMPETITION BEGINS!! TAKE A SEAT ON THE BALCONY OR GET ON SNOW, AND EXPECT TO SEE SOME UNBELIEVABLE SKIING!

TUESDAY 16^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNK BEDS, THE FUN NEVER ENDS! HAPPY HOUR 4-5pm

Week 5: Thursday 4th August – Wednesday 10th August

THURSDAY 4^TH

BILLABONG SLOPESTYLE PRACTICE DAY

SNOW GIRLS CAMP DAY TWO

LET THE PROGRESSION CONTINUE!

NIGHT’N’DAY

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

ACOUSTIC SET WITH ROBBIE AND MIKE FROM 6PM

$15 BUNK BEDS, THE FUN NEVER ENDS!

FRIDAY 5^TH

BILLABONG SLOPESTYLE DAY ONE – QUALIFIERS

SHOWCASING SOME OF THE WORLD’S TOP RIDERS (OPEN AND JUNIOR), AS THEY BATTLE IT OUT IN THIS SLOPESTYLE COMPETITION. DON’T MISS OUT!!

SNOW GIRLS CAMP DAY THREE

LAST DAY TO STOMP THOSE NEW TRICKS, GET READY TO CRACK THE CHAMPAGNE!

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNK BEDS. WARM, COSY AND HASSLE FREE!

SATURDAY 6^TH – FIRST 100 DAY PASSES SOLD WILL BE 50% OFF!

BILLABONG SLOPESTYLE DAY TWO – FINALS

FINAL DAY – HAMMERS WILL BE THROWN. GET UP EARLY FOR THE SPECIAL DEAL.

BILLABONG SLOPESTYLE VIP AFTER PARTY @ SNOW PARK NZ

FEATURING DAVID DALLAS & DJ’S!! LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE!

SUNDAY 7^TH

NIGHT’N’DAY PROGRAMME 11AM – 3PM

MONDAY 8^TH

MONDAY FUNDAY!

DID THE BRO DOWN INSPIRE YOU?? DON’T BE SITTING ON THAT COUCH, COME TO SNOW PARK AND PUSH YOUR RIDING! NEED HELP?? SIGN UP FOR A PARK PRIVATE AND REACH YOUR GOALS!

TUESDAY 9^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

ACOUSTIC SET WITH G- MAN FROM 6PM

$15 BUNK BEDS, SAVE SOME GAS A STAY UP HERE!

Week 4: Thursday 28^th July – Wednesday 3^rd August

THURSDAY 28^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNKBEDS, THE FUN NEVER ENDS!

FRIDAY 29^TH

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNKBEDS, THE FUN NEVER ENDS!

SATURDAY 30^TH

ELECTRIC QUARTERPIPE BATTLE!! 10AM

$2000 CASH AND HEAPS OF GIVEAWAYS!! FREE REGISTRATION AT 9AM,

OPEN TO ALL AGES, SKIERS, SNOWBOARDERS AND SPECTATORS

SCHOOL HOLS NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNKBEDS. WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO WAKE TO A PARK AT THEIR DOORSTEP??

SUNDAY 31^ST

NIGHT’N’DAY PROGRAMME BEGINS!

ALL NEW SKI AND BOARD SEASON-LONG KIDS LESSON/COACHING PROGRAMME ON SUNDAYS 11AM – 3PM AND/OR THURSDAY NIGHTS 6PM – 8PM.

TUESDAY 2^ND

NIGHT RIDING!! 5pm – 9pm

$15 BUNKBEDS, THE FUN NEVER ENDS!

WEDNESDAY 3^RD

SNOW GIRLS CAMP BEGINS

LADIES TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL, MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND RIDE HARD FOR THREE DAYS. FREESKI AND SNOWBOARD. AUGUST 3 – 5.

OPEN DAILY: 9am-4pm

NIGHT RIDING:  (Tues/Thurs/Fri) 5pm-9pm

WOOLSHED RESTAURANT:  Open Daily 9am-11pm

+64 3 443 9991  // info@snowparknz.com // www.snowparknz.com

Wanaka’s Young Change Makers and Snow Park NZ care about the climate crisis. To show the world that we care, we are going to hike up Snow Park NZ and ride down for the morning. This is our way to take action and demonstrate how much we love the snow and want to protect it for the future.

FREE for all hikers in the morning and a 20% discount on a half day pass for the afternoon for everyone that shows they care.

For more info contact:
simon@wanakawastebusters.co.nz
027 201 4484

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162613200484364&ref=ts

Eat Meat, Drink Beer, Build Fire, Chop Wood, Slide Snow.

Then Shoot Guns, Drink Whiskey and Smoke Cigars.

Keen?

10:30am – Meet at Wanaka skate park – carpark.
Car Pooling and transport to Snow Park NZ. Trying to organize a bus. Stay tuned.

11:30am – Man Area at Snow Park NZ.
Fire place, woodchopping, beer drinking, meat eating, talking (about sport), laughing (at the less manly), snow sports.

1:00pm – Rugby League – on snow.
Running, tackling, hurting, pushing, set plays, improvisation, more talk about sport.

2:30pm – Leave Snow Park NZ to exclusive MAN DAY location.
Shoot guns, throw clay birds (and shoot them), eat meat, talk sport, throw a ball, drink Strom rum, smoke cigars.

5:00pm – BBQ Dinner.

7:00pm – Free shuttle to Lonestar to prepare for rugby watching. Eat food, drink a lot more, shout about sport, make a scene.

8:30pm – Kick off for AB’s vs France followed by Warriors final.
location to be determined. Stay tuned!!

If you’re keen help spread the word and join the page so we can make it bigger for next year!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MAN-DAY/236934653025185

WE’RE CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY THIS SUNDAY!!!!

EYE PATCHES, FLANNEL, PIRATE HATS, PIRATE NAMES, PARROTS, WOODEN LEGS. ARRRRRRRR LOT OF FUN!

FOR THE KIDS:

-FACE PAINTING
-TREASURE HUNTS
-SPECIAL LESSON PACKAGE FOR $20!!! PARK SCHOOL SPECIAL FOR THE KIDS: $20 Lesson and Rentals for Weenies 6 & Under.

DON’T FORGET YOUR DRESS UPS!

SEE YOU THERE!

The free-to-enter jam style competition is open to both freeskiers and snowboarders of all abilities who are under 18 years old.

The action will take place right below the Snow Park Woolshed Restaurant deck on rail and box features, giving the junior riders an opportunity to wow the judges.

• Date: Friday 23rd Sept
• Time: 6pm
• Age Groups: Juniors = 18 and under, Grommies = 14 and Under. Date of birth as at Jan 1, 2011.
• Best overall and best trick will be judged. Spot prizes from Salomon, Electric, Quest and 32 Boots are also up for grabs!!
• Registration: From 4pm Friday at Snow Park, or  Snow Park Woolshed Reception prior to Saturday.
• Parent Consent: Entrants are required to provide identification proving their age and must also have a signed waiver to complete registration. The waiver and entry form will be provided on registration. Parents can supply a letter of consent if they are not going to be present at the event.
• More information 03 443 9991

Let the good times roll! Credit Ananda Van Welij

Top Terrace. Credit Niki Peters

Volcom Stone rekindled the free to enter Peanut Butter Rail Jam at Snow Park NZ today under fun, spring conditions and an awesome vibe.

Over 100 snowboarders came out of the woodworks for their chance to win one of many prizes including a return trip to the finals of the Peanut Butter Rail Jam in the US.

“Snow Park grooming and park crew provided an awesome set up today. It was really fun for all ages and ability levels.” said Volcom Team Rider Will Jackways.

The course featured two terraces filled with pole jams, urban down rails, boxes and noise tubes. Perfect for any level.

The 56 strong Open Men’s Division saw Austrian Marvin Salmina dominate in first, with locals Stef Zeestraten and Leroy Christensen not too far behind taking second and third respectively. Canadian Andrew Matthews secured fourth place.

Marvin Salmina won three times over today. Credit Ananda Van Welij.

“It’s awesome to see an international field show at this time of the season,” said Jackways. “They were throwing down big, but locals stood up to the challenge.”

The Women’s was also taken out by an Austrian. Christine Szumovski won, with a 180 on, 180 off box, to backlip on down-flat-down box. Finnish Enni Rukajarvi took second, Snow Park Team Rider Stefi Luxton third and Charlotte Trundle of Wanaka in fourth.

Christine Szumovski (Photo Ananda Van Welij)

“It’s great to see so many girls enter today. Not only that, they stood up to the plate and rode really well,” said Jackways.

Joss McAlpin, of Australia won Junior Division, while Aussie Cameron Staveley won the Grommies Division of 15 and under.

Snow Park NZ is scheduled to close on October 2. The next competition to take place is the Snow Park Junior Rail Event, on September 23 at 6pm.

Girls Ride Free Every Tuesday Night in September! 5pm – 9pm.

All you need to do is prove you are a girl and we will get you out on the lift free.

You can even grab some rentals or get a lesson from Park School!

Riders were treated to another crystal clear day yesterday at Snow Park for the halpipe competition of The North Face Freeski Open, presented by Volkl, where America’s Taylor Seaton and Devin Logan took the top spots.

With wind early in the morning the decision was made to move straight to a men’s semi-final where 20 competitors competed for the 12 available spots in finals. As the morning went on the winds died down and the tricks got progressively bigger.

America’s David Wise was the top qualifier out of the semifinals scoring 82.75. Also making the cut were Nils Lauper, Gus Kenworthy, Peter Crook, Cyrill Hunziker, Wing Tai Barrymore, Taylor Seaton, Yannic Lerjen, Klaus Finne, Kentaro Tsuda, Kalle Hilden and Geoff Straight.

After winning yesterday’s slopestyle, NZ’s Jossi Wells pulled the pin on today’s competition saying, “My knee is a bit sore today. I decided to be proactive and prevent possible injury so that I can keep charging hard for the rest of the season.”

When it came to the finals, David Wise had to settle for second with Taylor Seaton stepping it up and defending his title. Seaton is no newcomer to the podium here in New Zealand, as he won the event last year and took second the year before.

Taylor Seaton

“Amplitude and execution stood out for Seaton,” said head judge Rafael Regazzoni. “He hit everything perfectly and building height as he went down the pipe. He rode really well given the wind and pipe conditions.”

Seaton was thrilled with his win saying, “It’s amazing, I couldn’t ask for anything more. It was a challenge throughout the day for sure with the winds picking up in the qualifying rounds. Also, I broke my boot.”

Seaton, who borrowed a boot for his second run in the semi-finals, was able to make the necessary adjustments and go on to win with a run that included a 270 into the pipe to switch 720 truck driver, right 900 mute, left 900 tail, alley-oop left 540 blunt and capped thing off with an alley-oop right 540 tail to score 84.25 points.

“This is my sixth season down here and it just keeps getting better and better. I’m having more fun every year,” said Seaton. “My goal today was to make it to the podium so I’d could secure a spot in the X Games. Hopefully my win will also be a big push to making it to the USA Halfpipe A Team. I’m next in line for a spot.” Today’s second and third place winners Kenworthy and Wise are both currently on the US team.

Wise’s second place run included a left 900 nose grab, alley-oop flat spin 360 mute, switch left 720 double japan, right 900 tail and left 1080 mute that scored him 81.25 points, while after placing first in slopestyle and halfpipe at the Winter Games NZ, the 2011 AFP Overall World Champion Gus Kenworthy had to settle for third. His run, which featured a left cork 900 tail, right 720 tail, switch 720 japan, alley-oop 540, left 1080 tail and switch alley-oop 720, scored him 77.5 points.

Gus Kenworthy (3rd), Taylor Seaton (1st), David Wise (2nd)

“The top three men all skied at a really high level,” said Regazzoni. “It was great to see lots of the others pushing themselves to reach the level of the top riders.”

Coming off three wins at the Winter Games NZ in slopestyle, halfpipe and big air, the current AFP Women’s Overall World Champion Devin Logan was back on top yesterday with a winning run that scored her 85.25 points and included a japan air, left 540 tail, right flair, mute air, alley-oop rodeo 540 and left 540. This is Logan’s final competition of the Southern Hemisphere season.

“This has been a great start to my season,” said Logan. “I’ve podiumed in the past five competitions.” After a great Southern Hemisphere season Logan is happy to be heading home. “It will be good to get home and spend time with the family before hitting the slopes again for the Northern Hemisphere season. Coming down to New Zealand has worked out really well for me over the past two seasons. I definitely plan to be back again. In fact, I may even be back this October for the Cardrona pipe camps.”

Devin Logan

“Devin threw down one of the best runs I’ve ever seen in the pipe,” said Regazzoni. “She brought new tricks in including an alley-oop rodeo 540 with amazing amplitude. There are only two girls in the world pulling that trick.”

Kiwis Amy Sheehan and Janina Kuzma battled it out for the next two spots on the podium with Sheehan taking second by one point. Sheehan’s left 540, right 360, switch alley-oop 360, straight air and right 720 scored her 70.5 points.

“Amy was riding really strongly and really clean,” said Regazzoni. “Her right 360 to switch right 360 is a technical combo to put high in her pipe run. The technicality of Janina’s run was right up there as well but her amplitude and execution was just a bit shy of Amy’s.”

Amy Sheehan

Sheehan, who was out with an injury during the Northern Hemisphere season, has shown us she’s back in action. She came back with her right side cork 720, the same trick that led to her injury. Yesterday it was a success.

“I’m stoked that the wind died down for us,” said Sheehan. “It was great to ride with all my friends again. It’s nice to be back up there, back into it and doing well.”

Kuzma also showed that she can throw it down in the pipe, and is currently the world’s third highest ranked big mountain skier and recently took top honours as the overall woman’s skier at the World Heli Challenge. Kuzma’s run today featured a straight air, right 540, left 540, safety grab, left 720 and switch alley-oop air.

Janina Kuzma

With the slopestyle and halfpipe wrapped event director Cam Craighead expressed his gratitude to the host resort, Snow Park. “This is a transitional time for the sport and the event in New Zealand,” said Craighead. “Snow Park has played a huge part in getting behind the event and helping to make it happen.”

“We’re happy to once again host this event in New Zealand,” said Snow Sports NZ’s acting general manager, Ross McRobie. “It’s amazing to have athletes of this caliber competing here on our soil and even more exciting to think that many of the competitors will be our future Olympians when ski halfpipe and slopestyle debut at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.”

The spectators were also treated to a first in New Zealand with the appearance of the infamous banana bar, a tradition that was started at the European Freeski Open in Laax.

Janina Kuzma (3rd), Devin Logan (1st), Amy Sheehan (2nd)

Results

Men

1) Taylor Seaton
2) David Wise
3) Gus Kenworthy
4) Yannic Lerjen
5) Peter Crook
6) Cyrill Hunziker
7) Wing Tai Barrymore
Geoff Straight
9) Klaus Finne
10) Kentaro Tsuda
11) Nils Lauper
12) Kalle Hilden

Women

1) Devin Logan
2) Amy Sheehan
3) Janina Kuzma
4) Jen Hudak
5) Rose Battersby
6) Shuri Terada
7) Samantha Poots
Isabelle Hanssen
9) Jenna Anderson
10) Brita Sigourney
11) Kendall Deighan
12) Anais Caradeux

The North Face New Zealand Freeski Open is an AFP silver event, earning the top competitors valuable points in the first major competition of the 2011/12 season. To see how this event affects the AFP rankings, go to afpworldtour.com.

Words by Tania Pilkinton
Photos by Camilla Stoddart

Yesterday saw the world’s top ranked freestyle skiers battle it out under picture perfect blue skies at Snow Park for the slopestyle finals of The North Face Freeski Open of NZ, presented by Volkl with New Zealand’s own Jossi Wells and Canada’s Kim Lamarre taking the top spots.

While the skies were blue the wind posed a bit of a challenge with many of the women pulling out of the competition and the men going a bit more conservative on their tricks.

Markus Eder

A heavy weighted men’s field of 12 skiers including New Zealand’s own Jossi Wells, who was first through the semi-finals in yesterday’s competition, took to the slopes and didn’t disappoint.

In the end Wells kept the momentum going from the previous day’s competition and grabbed the top spot on the podium with a winning run that included a lipslide disaster to switch, switch 270, switch right 900 tail grab and left double cork 1260 mute grab.

Jossi Wells

Named Overall World Champion Freeskier in 2010, Wells, who suffered a series of injuries was unable to out for the entire 2010 Southern Hemisphere season and much of the early Northern Hemisphere season, was elated to be back on top. “Today was the best ever,” said Wells. “I haven’t been at the top of a podium since the 2010 Austrian Open. I feel as if I’m on top of the world today. It’s great to land on my feet again.”

Wells went on to say that, “The conditions were a bit scary out there today with the wind and fresh snow. It was harder to clear the jumps. Still, there was a tough level of competition and I knew I had to put in a solid run to land on the podium.”

Jossi Wells

Wells joined Canada’s Gagnier brothers on the podium with Charles Gagnier making a long overdue comeback and taking the second spot, just ahead of his brother Vincent.

“It was a big surprise to see Charles back on the podium,” said head judge Rafael Regazzoni. “Having formerly been one of the top competitors, Charles comeback has been a long time in the making. The last time he was on a podium was about four years ago. It’s fantastic to see him back in action.”

Charles second place run included a right 270 to disaster, Gagnier slide to switch, switch left 1080 tail grab and switch right 1080 mute grab, while Vincent started off with a nosebutter 450 to 270 out, followed by a backside 450 out (rainbow), switch right corked 1080 tail grab and switch left 1080 mute grab to truck driver.

“Jossi was the clear winner today,” said Regazzoni. “He was the most creative on the upper rail section and was the most consistent with the best executed tricks on the bottom of the course.”

Vincent Gagnier (3rd), Jossi Wells (1st), Charles Gagnier (2nd)

The women’s final showed world class performances today, with overall world champion Devin Logan hoping to capture her fourth win of the Southern Hemisphere season, having taken the top spot in slopestyle, halpipe and big air at the recent NZ Winter Games. It was not to be. This time around it was Lamarre’s turn to stand atop the podium with a winning run that included a 270 on to the rail, straight to switch on the rainbow box, switch left 540 safety grab and left 540 mute grab, scoring 76.75 points.

“It feels great to be on top today,” said Lamarre. “This is my last competition of the season and it’s nice to end it this way.”

Lamarre has her sights set on the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia and has recently been named to the Canadian Slopestyle Team.

Kim Lamarre

Logan’s run, which included a switch on to the rail, straight to switch out on the cannon, switch left 540 and left 540 tail grab, scored her 74.25 points for the second place spot on the podium.

Rounding out the women’s podium was New Zealand’s up and coming Rose Battersby who’s shown she’s a force to contend with.

“Rose has an awesome attitude and is taking the coaching she is getting from her coach Pete Legnavsky on board,” said freeski coach Bruce Wells. “She’s tracking well for a long term goal of competing in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.”

“The conditions proved difficult for the women today with over half of the field scratching due to issues with the wind and clearing the jumps,” said judge Victoria Beattie. “Speed was difficult on the course. In the end it was a battle between Kim and Devin. Kim’s smooth, solid style won out on the day with only two points separating them.”

Devin Logan (2nd), Kim Lamarre (1st), Rose Battersby (3rd)

With seven countries represented today, the athletes in both the men’s and women’s fields will likely be the first ever to represent their countries when ski slopestyle makes its Olympic debut at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

The wind on course today led organisers to make the decision not to score the final jump. “It’s a shame we couldn’t have that final jump as a scoring jump but, due to the weather conditions, the safety issues were too high. After consultation with the riders we decided not to score it,” said event director Cam Craighead.

The North Face Fresski Open of NZ, presented by Volkl continues today with the halfpipe competition at Snow Park beginning at 10am.

Results

Men

1) Jossi Wells
2) Charles Gagnier
3) Vincent Gagnier
4) Chris Laker
5) Joss Christensen
6) Klaus Finne
7) Cyrill Hunziker
Takumi Toyama
9) Elias Ambuhl
10) Erik Hughes
11) Markus Eder
12) AJ Kemppainen

Women

1) Kim Lamarre
2) Devin Logan
3) Rose Battersby
4) Chiho Takao