Big Air day at CairnGorm Mountain 2013
The final competition in the Vans Hi-Standard Big Air Snowboarding Series took place in Scotland at CairnGorm Mountain where alpine conditions have prevailed over the Easter holiday period providing a huge boost to the Scottish snowsports industry.
CairnGorm’s pisting team constructed what they confidently believed to be the UK’s biggest ever freestyle terrain park in preparation for the event which saw some of the country’s top snowboarders demonstrating their prowess. The event attracted 50 competitors from all over the country divided into male/ female and under/over 16 years categories. Riders were judged on individual style, creativity and self-expression.. The massive kicker also attracted many spectators.
Commenting on the event CairnGorm marketing manager Colin Kirkwood said:
'It is great that we have conditions here which enable us to do full justice to an event of this stature. Our pisting team take real pride in being able to create a park which can stand up against the best in Europe and the rest of our team have been working hard to create great atmosphere around this event, providing an ice bar, barbecue and on-slope music with the help of the Red Bull music truck. This also gives us the opportunity to showcase what outstanding snow conditions we have at present – the best Easter snowsports for a decade we reckon - and we expect to be able to go on offering high quality skiing and boarding for the rest of April at least and quite likely into May as well.'
Competitor Frazer Rennie from Banchory commented:
‘I can’t get over how absolutely magnificent this is. It is as good as it gets in Europe.’
Alexander Hay from Kelso added “This was easily the best snow comp in UK history with an epic crowd and the best setup that the mountain has ever had combined with a sunny day and chilled out atmosphere. What more could you want?”
Callum Andean from Aviemore said: “This was probably the best set up that CairnGorm Mountain has ever seen. The standard of riding has been awesome with some of the younger kids really stepping up to mark. There was also a great atmosphere in the chill-out area throughout the day.”
CairnGorm Mountain has welcomed 95,000 skiers and snowboarders to its slopes since the season started on 1st December.