This weekend saw the final stop of the Freeride World Tour in Verbier at the Verbier Xtreme. This year also marked the 20th anniversary of the world’s best freeride competition, that has seen the world’s greatest freeride ski and snowboard men and women descend the legendary Bec des Rosses face. European Snowsport’s instructors were out on the mountain all weekend, with some catching a glimpse of the world’s best riders charging down the steep face, negotiating challenging lines and hurling themselves over eye-watering cliffs, all to chase the prestigious title of Verbier Xtreme winner, or better, Freeride World Tour Champion.
The main competition took place on Saturday morning, where a lucky break in the weather meant the Bec des Rosses and the huge crowd gathered on the Col des Gentianes were soaked in spring sunshine for the duration of the elite competition. Here are some of European Snowsport‘s highlights from the weekend.
Early start – spectators getting settled on Col des Gentianes with the competition confirmed for a 9am start. // Photo: Veronika Manhal
A helicopter flies the Swatch start gate up to the ‘Le Petit Bec des Rosses’ peak where the riders will start from. // Photo: Veronika Manhal
Finally… ESSE‘s Jonas shows us an alternative way to enjoy the Xtreme… // Photo: Jonas Sundstedt