Snowboard Freestyle World Cup continues in Snowmass

The FIS Snowboard Freestyle World Cup tour will get back to business this coming weekend with a World Cup double event in Snowmass, USA.

It's the first time that the largest of the four famous Aspen/Snowmass mountains is hosting a FIS Snowboard World Cup. And with the the 50th anniversary having been celebrated with firework displays, parties and other festivities last month, the timing for the debut as a World Cup host couldn't have been set any better.

The newest addition to the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Tour line-up will not only feature this season's second slopestyle and fourth halfpipe competition.

Both contests are also the penultimate chance for athletes to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games with the official international qualifier period coming to an end on January 21, 2018.

As a result, the world's best are expected to compete with the focus being on the hosting nation's roster which is halfway though its national qualifier process for PyeongChang 2018.

So far, only three riders from the US have secured their tickets: slopestyle specialists Chris Corning and 2014 Olympic Champion Jamie Anderson as well as halfpipe sensation Chloe Kim who is considered the top favourite for Gold in South Korea next month.

And as all other nations are also aiming to put together the best teams of four to represent their colours at the Olympic Winter Games, high-class competitions are expected to go down from January 10 to 13, 2018.

Official schedule Snowmass

• Wednesday, Jan 10 – slopestyle qualifiers at 9 AM LOC (5 PM CET)

• Thursday, Jan 11 – halfpipe qualifiers at 9:30 AM LOC (5:30 PM CET)

• Friday, Jan 12 – slopestyle finals at 9:30 AM LOC (5:30 PM CET)

• Saturday, Jan 13 – halfpipe finals at 1 PM LOC (9 PM CET)