The exhibitors of the Festival are about to take down their booths where they were showing their latest gear for the upcoming season and a group of exhausted but happy snowboarders and freeskiers are slowly making their way to their cars to drive back home after three days full of shredding, jibbing and partying.

It has been a long time since they last had snow under their feet. All the more reason to feel pleased and wear a big smile again. Due to the warm weather the circumstances and snow conditions haven´t been ideal and temperatures were almost up to double digits. Though mother nature showed all her autumn beauty and kept snowclouds far away from the Kaunertal glacier the snowpark maintenance crew made magic happen and built an extremely creative alternative snowpark setup including features for riders at all levels and ages. Novice and Pros, Rookies and long term snow addicts were given enough space and features to shred and play all weekend long.

It all started on friday with the arrival of countless buses filled with pupils who participated in the new innovative school project called „School’s on glacier“ powered by Raiffeisen Club Tirol. The idea was to get school students out of their class rooms and into the wild to experience a unconventional but highly interesting day on the glacier and become acquainted with glaciology, resort marketing or snow industry innovations in the course of different diverse workshops.

Next to that the Blue Tomato Festival offered the latest freeski and snowboard equipment of the upcoming for free testing. An incredible collaboration of 74 different brands made their way to the Kaunertal glacier and supported the kick off event of the snowpark Kaunertal. The first athletic highlight was the Monster Rail Session presented by downdays.eu.

The sundowner was a relaxed after ride sessions in the valley including a mini skate ramp, free BBQ and DJ sound.Friday night provided a massive line up at the KTO music festival tent. Invasion Sound ft. Suverena Live, Kya Bamba Soundsystem and Cali P & DJ Kaprisson set the crowd on fire topped off with two of the most brilliant winter movies of the season. "Pure", the second master piece from the ladies of Shades of Winter and the Pirate Movie Production made the hearts of many winter lovers beat a little faster.

It has not just been the Pro Contest, that made the second day of the 29th KTO so special. A splitboard workshop by Split.Hike.Ride powered by Kornland and the fantastic Adidas Jersey Jam have also been highlights.Freeski and Snowboard Pro Riders from all over the world got together at the KTO Pro Contest and competed at a high end level. Lisa Zimmermann and Alex Hall won the Freeski Contest and Eric Beauchemin and Elena Koenz stood out at the snowboard contest.

Saturday night was wild in its usual manner. Supported by the stunning movie artwork of the Freeski Crew and a snowboard movie by Postland Theory acts like the local HipHop legends Jo!Zepp – Chrisfader – Testa and the Wax Wreckaz made the crowd go wild. Headliner of the evening was the austrian/ english Live Combo Mr. Dero & Klumzy Tung.

Compared to the explosive pro contest on saturday, the amateur contest on sunday was dialed down a notch but still filled with Riders with outstanding skills and an extraordinary style. Maximilian Preissinger got rewarded not just for best rookie and best trick, he also won the overall snowboard amateur contest.

Once again the mother of all openings managed to set a mark in the landscape of winter openings and has again created a unique kick off event for the snowpark Kaunertal.

Looking forward to seeing you @ the the 30th KTO 2015!