The LAAX OPEN 2016: European Snowboard Event of the Year

The European Open, one of the most prestigious freestyle snowboard competitions in the world, now continuing as the LAAX Open (Burton is no longer sponsoring it; editor's note) is around the corner. The highlight of the upcoming snowboard season has been long anticipated and for the first time in the history of the event, there are half a million dollars to be won in the halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines. If you haven't planned your winter schedule yet mark your calendar for January 18 to 24, when Europe’s leading freestyle destination LAAX is going to go mad. Don't miss it!

8. 1. 2016

The week-long competition guarantees for best snowboarding Europe gets to see including competitions in halfpipe and slopestyle for both, women and men. As used in previous editions of the event the LAAX OPEN follows the rewarding tradition of an open format offering to all riders to participate in this international high level snowboard contest. World class riders like Iouri Podladtchikov, Danny Davis, Stale Sandbech, Tyler Nicholson, Anna Gasser, Christy Prior and Enni Rukajärvi have already confirmed their participation, guaranteeing a top-class sports event. The experience culminates with daily music events, art and gourmet treats.

Photo: © Lämmerhirt/BEO

The big sporting highlights at the LAAX OPEN are the halfpipe finals on Friday, 22 January 2016 and the slopestyle finals on Saturday, 23 January 2016. But the real beauty at the LAAX OPEN is the fact that there is always enough time to go riding yourself. Whether you are young or old, beginner or expert it’s all about getting on your snowboard. 3 to 6 year olds can learn at the Burton Riglet Park in the rockresort, everyone else can go to the Burton test center at the Crap Sogn Gion and sample the free boards from Burton’s latest winter collection. You can take them on the pistes, into the parks and the mini pipe or to work shops with the pros. It’s all about experiencing the joy and spirit of freestyle.

Photo: © Stadler/BEO

And it’s in the valley’s Rockresort where snowboard fans can enjoy a creative festival for the whole week. Here a mixture of wonderfully weird, interactive and well-known art forms will connect the roots of the 30-year old LAAX freestyle history with the now. Living snow balls, light installations and live music – from Swiss newcomers to hip international acts – are as much part of it as food trucks and a travelling restaurant, that will pop up for a whole month in the LAAX gondola hall. For the real party animals there will be all-night long entertainment in the Riders Palace club, where trendy DJs & Acts from all over the world spin the ultimate party tunes.

To put it simple, the LAAX OPEN 2016 are the dawning of a new age, a snowboard contest that will revolutionize whatever has been there before and a festival that will be unforgettable for whoever has the privilege to experience it firsthand.