In addition to the world`s biggest halfpipe with a height of 7m and a length of 200m, culture and concerts ensure not only for the international slopestyle and halfpipe competitions sanctioned by the FIS and WSF, but also excellent entertainment. A lot of snowboard pros from all over the world are expected to attend the contest, for example Olympic Champs, X-Games Champions, the last year’s winners and some talented rookies. The first big names are already confirmed for this year’s edition: Olympic Champions 2018 Anna Gasser (AUT) and Sebastien Toutant (CAN) will compete in Laax as well as OPEN event winners Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) and Christy Prior from New Zealand.

The FIS Snowboard World Cup and elite World Snowboarding event, featuring prize money of CHF 200,000, attracts professional snowboarders from all over the world to LAAX, in the canton of Graubünden (Grison). 2018 Olympic champions Anna Gasser (AUT) and Sebastien Toutant (CAN) have confirmed their participation, along with OPEN event champions Christy Prior (NZL) and Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI). Entries for the Slopestyle and Halfpipe competitions have been received from 19 different countries spanning five continents. Preparations are now in full swing with the organiser for an action- packed LAAX OPEN.

The OPEN in LAAX has always been an absolute must for competitive snowboarders. They love the perfectly groomed freestyle facilities, the powder day, music, entertainment and spectators. LAAX is many people’s favourite resort, and riders from all over the world feel right at home here. Such as Seb Toutant, junior champion in the Burton European Open in LAAX in 2008, third place in the Slopestyle event at the LAAX OPEN 2016 and Olympic champion in 2018. “Why I like LAAX so much is cause of the mountain, there is like powder everywhere, there is like really good park, and probably this mountain has the most beautiful view in the background. So that’s why I love it to come here every season.” The Canadian has signed up for the LAAX OPEN 2019 in the Slopestyle event and is one of the favourites for the title, along with his compatriots Mark McMorris, Tyler Nicholsen, Darcy Sharp, Michael Ciccarelli and Max Parrot, who occupied the first five places in LAAX in 2016 and also filled the podium in 2017 with Parrot in first place. The Swiss men’s halfpipe team will also all line up in their home World Cup event. This includes defending LAAX OPEN champion Iouri Podladtchikov, along with Pat Burgener, Jan Scherrer, David Hablützel and Elias Allensbach. The ladies’ list also includes a number of stars. 2018 Olympic champion Anna Gasser from Austria, Christy Prior from New Zealand (2015 BEO champion in LAAX), Spencer O’Brien (number one in the World Snowboard Points List) from Canada, local star Sina Candrian and the pipe specialists Queralt Castellet from Spain and France’s Mirabelle Thovex – all six know what it takes to put on a perfect run to impress the judges and secure victory.

The leading challengers in the men’s and women’s events are the riders from Norway, USA, Japan and China, who are regulars on the podium at the LAAX OPEN. There are twelve podium places up for grabs in 2019. Who will finish in what position, who will take home the most prize money and who will secure the most World Cup points is all decided on Friday 18 January from 12 p.m. CET in the Slopestyle event and on Saturday 19 January from 5.30 p.m. CET in the Halfpipe event. The top six women and top ten men from the preliminary rounds will then go on to compete for the prestigious LAAX OPEN title. Spectators can watch the sporting competitions free of charge.

Overnight packages are available on www.laax.com and via the Inside LAAX app. More details about the event is available on laax.com/open.

Program overview LAAX OPEN 2019 Day/Date Sports Side Events

Crap Sogn Gion mountain 2.252 m GALAAXY (mtn.), rocksresort (valley) Monday, JAN 14 Training Tuesday, JAN 15 Quali Slopestyle LAAX roots Wednesday, JAN 16 Quali Slopestyle and Halfpipe LAAX roots, DJs, Party Thursday, JAN 17 Semi-Finals Slopestyle LAAX roots, DJs, Party Friday, JAN 18 Finals Slopestyle LAAX roots, Live Acts, DJ Set Saturday, JAN 19 Semi-Finals and Finals Halfpipe LAAX roots, Live Acts, DJ Set

About the LAAX OPEN For three decades, LAAX has been playing host to world-class freestyle events and has demonstrated a treasure trove of experience, competence and passion for the sport and its snowboarders. The 4th edition of the LAAX OPEN will take place from January 14 to 19, 2019. It is the snowboarding event highlight in Europe’s mountains and guarantees snowboarding at its finest. It includes high-quality contests in slopestyle and halfpipe for women and men, sanctioned by FIS and WS, and offers CHF 200,000 in prize money. Music, parties, culture and culinary at the rocksresort, RIDERS and GALAAXY round out the allround lifestyle experience of LAAX.