A cohesive aggressive construction has been an uncrackable nut because the battle for ‘management’ of aggressive occasions between FIS and ISF outlined the pre-Olympic period – and issues haven’t improved a fantastic deal since. Atop the pile of three-letter initialisms that adopted within the ake of the ISF’s demise (together with TTR, WSF and WST) was a persistent, creamy dollop of WTF.
Nonetheless, even because the Dew Tour joins the Air+Fashion, Arctic Problem and Burton Open sequence on the scrapheap of professional snowboarding, there are nonetheless loads of methods to get your high-end contest repair – supplied you don’t ever have to know who tops the world rankings.
With that in thoughts, we’ve mapped out the large moments to look out for within the 2024/25 season. All make sense on their very own phrases, are just about assured to entertain, and (until Shaun has a very audacious shock up his sleeve) are extremely unlikely to be held in Riyadh.
Occasions are in chronological order – examine again for updates
Laax Open – 14-18 January 2025, Laax, Switzerland
What’s it?
Initially spawned from the ashes of the Burton European Open, the Laax Open turns ten years outdated in 2025. It’s your basic mixture of slopestyle and halfpipe, following a qualis-then-finals format. Very similar to a high quality Swiss watch, it’s a magnificence to have a look at and ticks alongside properly – plus if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it.
Why ought to I care?
It stays the jewel within the continent’s aggressive calendar. The slopestyle is all nicely and good, and sometimes makes efforts to combine up the normal course format, but it surely’s the pipe for us each time. A stacked rider record in arguably the world’s finest U-ditch – what’s to not like?
Can I watch the Laax Open dwell?
Sure, on Purple Bull TV. Bizarrely, final 12 months Chris Grenier of the Bomb Gap podcast was drafted in to host, regardless of being a number of 1000’s of miles away on the time.
X Video games – 23-25 January, Aspen, USA
What’s it?
Regardless of its opaque invitation system, ill-judged experiments with public voting codecs and hideously OTT sponsorship, for a lot of the X Video games stays coated in a skinny but persistent veneer of ‘core’.That is perhaps right down to the truth that, as one of many solely occasions to nonetheless be chugging alongside after nearly three a long time, it’s the simplest barometer for gauging the place aggressive snowboarding is, and the place it’s been.
Why ought to I care?
Come for the pipe, slopestyle and Huge Air, the place the usual is at all times enormous – however keep for the Knuckle Huck – an occasion that even your granny may comply with, and by which the stakes are decrease than a Lib Dem management contest.
Can I watch the X Video games dwell?
The entire thing tends to be streamed on the X Video games web site and the X Video games YouTube channel, in addition to a few main TV networks within the USA.
Pure Choice Tour – 27 February – March 17 2025, varied places
What’s it?
Travis Rice spent years attempting to pull aggressive snowboarding up by the scruff of its neck, with occasions like Supernatural and Ultranatural. Pure Choice, now in its fifth 12 months (not counting its first iteration at Jackson Gap means again in 2008), is the logical conclusion; a real backcountry freestyle battle, the place you possibly can watch a number of the largest names in snowboarding stomp video-part-worthy bangers on a few of Mom Nature’s most formidable programs.
Why ought to I care?
You do want stamina for this, with dwell streams clocking in at over 4 hours, however the rewards are wealthy. The usual is really superhuman, all captured by a fleet of expertly-piloted drones. Plus it’s an opportunity to see longer-in-the-tooth riders totally spank X-Video games-medallist upstarts. That, in contrast to a big chunk of the invitees, by no means will get outdated.
Can I watch the Pure Choice Tour dwell?
In previous years it’s been dwell streamed in just a few totally different locations, however you possibly can guess that one in every of them will nonetheless be the Pure Choice web site.
Snow League – 7-8 March 2025, Aspen, USA (others to be introduced)
What’s it?
“Shaun White reboots aggressive snowboarding” is the elevator pitch – one which’s prone to divide the room. For some who bear in mind his non-involvement in the course of the FIS/WST wars, this may occasionally really feel like too little, too late. His plans to convey “elevated professionalism”, and “reimagined aggressive codecs for edge-of-your-seat experiences” will possible trigger others to drop off. Nonetheless, there stays an urge for food for a cohesive aggressive tour, and this can be the way it begins.
Why ought to I care?
Even in retirement, Shaun’s title carries enormous weight, which is why the League’s announcement acquired correct protection within the likes of Forbes Journal, versus no matter that is. Just one occasion, at Aspen (up to now, so X Video games) is confirmed up to now, however as we get nearer and Shaun begins to do the media rounds, count on a well-oiled – and well-resourced – hype machine to kick in. The title suggests an ambition to do for aggressive snowboarding what Road League did for skateboarding – and the place ambition is anxious, by no means write off White.
Can I watch the Snow League dwell?
Most likely, however we’re nonetheless awaiting the official phrase.
Swatch Nines – 12 April 2025, Schilthorn, Switzerland
What’s it?
The Swatch Nines calls itself “a pleasant antagonist to the world of aggressive sports activities”. Certainly, the vibe is far more end-of-season-blowout than elite competitors. Having mentioned that, all the things from the rider record to the usual of the course screams ‘prime tier’.
Why ought to I care?
Historical past is made on the Nines, most notably on its ‘Good Hip’ (a shameless brag that additionally occurs to be true). Christian ‘Hitsch’ Haller went into area again in 2016 with a ship that was solely toppled simply this 12 months by Valentino Guseli. Over on the kickers, the 2022 version noticed two NBDs: Reira Iwabuchi grew to become the primary girl to land a frontside triple cork 1260, whereas Hiroto Ogiwara put down a mind-boggling bottom 2160.
It’s additionally the place you’ll see park shapers outdo themselves 12 months after 12 months in pursuit of hitherto-unseen ranges of innovation, designed in tandem with a number of the most inventive riders on the planet. You possibly can cling the drone pictures of previous occasions within the Louvre.
Can I watch the Swatch Nines dwell?
Not as but, however that’s to be anticipated given the unorthodox format. The Swatch Nines YouTube channel is filled with highlights, interviews and extra.
