The 2016 edition is the second time the SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR makes its appearance in Vallnord-Arcalís. 61 male and female professional riders across two disciplines have made the trip to Andorra for the first out of five stops on this world championship tour. 

Riders and spectators alike were treated to blue skies and some high clouds with excellent riding conditions in the Andorran resort. After a relatively dry start, a recent storm dumped enough snow on the fantastically featured peaks of this ski resort that is quickly becoming the most important freeride destination in the Pyrenees mountains.

 

 

Riders made their way to Basser Negre zone after a short climb from the Basera chairlift. The terraced and feature-dense Coste Negre face offered riders a combination of tight couloirs along with clean run-outs and a multitude of options for taking big air. From its summit at 2680m, the competition face measures nearly 400m vertical meters at 40° allowing competitors ample opportunity to get creative as they make their way towards the finish line. 

After the building anticipation of the summer months, riders were finally able throw down their best lines for the first time this season. While shady aspects harbored excellent riding conditions, the sun-kissed aspects offered a bit more of a challenge for riders as conditions were less consistent on these faces.

 

Snowboard Men

 

It was tough to keep an eye on Londoner Sascha Hamm (GBR) as he hammered a powerful line with big airs right off the summit to take the top spot. Christoffer Granbom (SWE) followed suite with a powerful run and airs that showed mastery of the difficult conditions bringing him into second place. Young Chamoniard Camille Armand (FRA) came in third with a strong run that featured a smoothly stomped backflip mid-venue.

 

Snowboard Women

 

Reigning champ Estelle Balet (SUI) once again took the top spot as her creative line choice demonstrated this young rider’s experienced skillset. Marion Haetry (FRA) took an impressive line in the same zone as Sascha Hamm, but unfortunately had some loose riding near the finish that pushed her into the second place. Mikaela Hollsten (FIN) held a strong run together that nudged former Olympian Kjersti Buaas (NOR) off the podium.

 

After the incredible performances by these top freeriders, their fate will be determined during the upcoming four stops as they make their way to the finals in Verbier, Switzerland. Don’t miss out on the next stop on February 6, 2016 in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France, where riders will prove themselves at the fabled freeride Mecca. 

Fans were able to catch all the amazing action that went down today in Vallnord-Arcalís on our live broadcast, so don’t forget to check out www.freerideworldtour.com to live all the cutting-edge riding that will go down at the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc stop in a few weeks.