The BRITS Snow & Music Festival has wrapped up its eighth year of world-class riding, pumping parties and some adventurous après sessions in the freestyle mecca of Laax, Switzerland. In true BRITS style, festival-goers and competitors were treated to relentless sunshine, (plus a bonus powder day at the beginning of the week) for the four days of British Championship events in Snowboard & Freeski Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Cross and Big Air.



Despite missing a few key players due to injury, the standard of riding continued to showcase the depth of British talent, with a special mention going out to the outstanding level of riding from the youth categories. For the snowboarders it was the likes of Becky Menday, Matt McCormick and Katie Ormerod who belied their years to finish in top podium positions despite fierce competition. Katie will also be hooked up with a year’s supply of products for winning the ‘One to Watch’ from new watch brand and sponsor Nooka, who were on the lookout for the most outstanding unsponsored wrist on the slopes during The BRITS 2012.

BRITS history was made when Sam Turnbull stomped the first ever double rodeo 1080 in the British Big Air, whilst the Protest Slopestyle Championships saw the highest standard of qualifiers in BRITS history (where even 7s and rodeos were not enough to secure a place in the final).

Showcasing how the BRITS takes riders from grass-roots to international events, Jamie Nicholls (who started on the circuit aged nine years-old) came back to the BRITS fresh from an eighth place finish at the X-Games, Tignes to win the 2012 Slopestyle; “I love coming here and seeing all the kids riding. We need new generations and this event pushes the sport along. I’d also like to thank The BRITS organisers who have supported me all the way. I’ve had an epic season and it’s great to come back here and become champion again,” commented Jamie.

In true BRITS spirit, freeski newcomers and unknowns Lucas Hogland and Chloe Hardy exploded on to the scene to take medals in the Protest Freeski Slopestyle Championships, with Lucas going on to podium for the second time in the British Freeski Big Air, whilst Pamela Thorburn put pedal to the metal in the Trespass Skiercross Championships to take home gold. James Machon successfully defended his British crown and took home gold in the Dare 2b Halfpipe Championships for the fourth consecutive year. Once again the youth categories continued to show how fast UK riding is progressing with 15 year-old Tyler Jay Harding riding solidly throughout the competition and 14 year-old Michael Rowlands placing fourth overall in the men’s Slopestyle.

Off the hill, highlights included the Whitelines Rail Jam, where the best of the British rail slayers battled it out with Matt McCormick walking away with a new Ride board for his efforts. UK hip hop legends Yungun and Mr Thing wowed with their eclectic music mix, and DJ Yoda had the crowds mesmerized with his live AV Set on the last night at the Rider’s Palace. The sunny Reggae BBQ and Sledgercross were welcome new additions to the BRITS line-up, and a special shout out goes to Glastonbury Award-winning six-piece live dance act Dr Meaker, who took to the mountains for an amazing open air gig on Saturday, the prefect send off to an amazing week.

See you all in 2013!
 
The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Trespass, Dare2b, Snow+Rock and Nooka. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, Ski Club of Great Britain, Metrosnow.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and LAAX. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.

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