British Snow Tour News

The BRITS, Laax, Switzerland, 21st – 28th March 2010

The BRITS Snow & Music Festival, which hits Laax, Switzerland this weekend, 21st – 28th March 2010, are excited to announce that world renowned DJ, A SKILLZ and twice DMC World Champion, DJ Switch will be wrapping up the BRITS Music line-up in style when they headline the BRITS final night at the Riders Palace on Saturday 27th March.

Record label owner, producer and DJ extraordinaire, A SKILLZ incredible deck talents fuse funk, soul and hip-hop with D'n'B, dub-step and breaks, all sliced, mashed and cut together with a unique style of scratching and mixing. His reputation as a true party rocker has won him prime-time slots across the world at a who’s who of major events, festivals and music industry parties including FabricLive (London), The Hit Factory (New York), WMC (Miami), Shambhala (Canada) and Field Day (Sydney).

Two times DMC World Battle Champion, scratch master and musical freak, DJ Switch serves up Hip Hop, jazz, soul, funk, rock, house, garage, breakbeat and drum & bass – all cut, sliced, mixed and layered to make a very tasty musical lasagne, that will keep you coming back for more!

With international status and highly regarded reputations in the music industry, A SKILLZ, DJ Switch and special guests, Urban Knights, are guaranteed to leave a trail of exhausted but ultimately satisfied party goers in their wake, finishing off the BRITS week in true style!

To recap over the BRITS musical menu on offer during the week, we’ve got:

Trespass Hip Hop Night in Association with Natives, featuring DJ Woody and Rodney P
Kicking off the BRITS music week in true British Hip Hop style on Monday night will be top DJ collective, SCRATCH. Fresh, fly, bold and wild – is the legacy, encompassing all forms of Hip Hop culture from djing, rapping and breaking.

Extreme Premiere Night in Association with Metrosnow, ‘THEY CAME FROM’ & ‘TRANSITION’
A night of sweets, popcorn, a large coca-cola and top-notch movie action of incredible, unique and un-human like abilities will leave you paralysed in your seat on Tuesday night at the Riders Palace.

Cushe Dub-Step and Breaks Night in Association with SCUK, featuring, Urban Knights
With their refreshing blasts of audio visual delights, the Urban Knights will be sure to create the most dazzling and contemporary show which will leave you on the dance floor in a state of exhausted wide eyed amazement!

GIRO7” Throwdown night in Association with Ski Club
Find that inner DJ and come along to mix with the best on the 7”Wheels of Steel. For all riders, dj’s and general dudes and dudettes. It’s your time to shine in the spotlight!

Animal Rock night and Guitar Hero in Association with Whitelines
The stage has been set for you to unleash your inner guitar hero and rock star on Friday night as Animal presents the ultimate 21st century karaoke! Groups of up to four band members can rock out on guitar, drums and vocals with the best two bands fighting it out in a final ‘rock-off’ at the end of the night. Prizes from Animal and Guitar Hero are up for grabs so make sure you sign your bands up and pick your tracks at the Animal tent during the week and Rock Fancy Dress is compulsory so make sure its spandex tight!



The BRITS, which is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: :Animal, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, Snow+Rock, Garmin, Eristoff& Red Bull Demo partners: DC, Salomon, Ride, K2, Line, and Volkl skis. Media partners Whitelines,Dark Summer, Spiked, Extreme Sports Channel, Metrosnow.co.uk,Snowboardclub.co.uk, Skiclub.co.uk,and Natives.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and Laax.

The BRITS, Laax, Switzerland, 21st – 28th March 2010.

With less than 2 weeks to go before the BRITS Snow and Music Festival returns to Laax in Switzerland, event organisers are excited to announce that ERISTOFF will be hosting this year’s Après Sessions Stage.

ERISTOFF, the Vodka from the Land of the Wolf, will be hauling its Airstream bus into town, which, at the touch of a button, transforms into the ERISTOFF ‘Après Sessions’ stage and will play host to great live acoustic and DJ sets throughout the week. The Godfather of British Hip Hop, Rodney P is rumoured to be taking to the stage to alight the dance floor along with the all-comers B-boy battle.

ERISTOFF is one of the leading vodka brands in Europe & launched last year in the UK as part of a global campaign. It will be the official spirit for festival-goers and plans to make its ERISTOFF ‘Icy Black’ the signature drink of The BRITS – ERISTOFF Black is the natural wild berry flavoured spirit that doesn’t like to mix when poured over lemonade.



Demo sponsors K2, Ride, DC, Salomon, Lib Tech and GNU snowboards along with Line, Volkl and K2 skis will also be displaying a range of their 2011 hardware with free trials in the Après Sessions Arena for all BRITS wristband holders. Their teams of UK pros will also be on hand to answer questions and to offer insider tips.

If you’d like to be a part of the ultimate alpine gathering and enjoy the ERISTOFF Après Sessions at the this year’s BRITS, then packages start from as little as £230 (GBP - CHF equivalent may vary with exchange rate) and include - seven nights accommodation, seven day lift passes, event pack and the all important BRITS festival wristband:www.brits10.com



The BRITS, which is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: :Animal, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, Snow+Rock, Garmin, Eristoff& Red Bull Demo partners: DC, Salomon, Ride, K2, Line, and Volkl skis. Media partners Whitelines,Dark Summer, Spiked, Extreme Sports Channel, Metrosnow.co.uk,Snowboardclub.co.uk, Skiclub.co.uk,and Natives.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and Laax

With less than 40 days to go before the BRITS 2010 Snow & Music Festival hits Laax in Switzerland, organisers are excited to announce that Giro, a worldwide leader in protective gear and accessories for action sports, have secured the title rights for the Giro British Snowboard & Freeski Big Air Championships at this year’s event.

“The seemingly endless rate of progression among British athletes is continually increasing the importance of safety, which makes this new partnership all the more credible, and they don’t come any bigger and more successful than Giro to help drive this responsible message.” claimed Event Director, Spencer Claridge.

For the fourth consecutive year, leading UK brand Animal will be spreading their freestyle wings to take the title rights of the Animal British Slopestyle Championships, and host the brand new Animal Rock Night featuring Guitar Hero at the forthcoming BRITS Snow & Music Festival, 21st – 28th March 2010, Laax, Switzerland.

Following on from an inspirational 2009 Slopestyle Championships, which witnessed BRITS records being smashed, Animal pro mountain biker, Sam Pilgrim attack the course on his bike and younger riders including Jamie Nicholls, Katie Summerhayes and James Woods pushing up through the ranks, the 2010 Animal Slopestyle Championships looks set to be a major highlight of the BRITS week.

A huge number of the UK’s top slopestyle riders including, Jenny Jones, Ben Kilner, Dom Harington and freeskiers, James Webb and Paddy Graham will be hitting Laax’s World-class course to showcase their ever growing bag of tricks in the Animal Slopestyle Championships, on Wednesday 24th and Friday 26th March 2010.

With less than 60 days to go before the BRITS 2010 Snow & Music Festival hits Laax, Switzerland, organisers are excited to announce the brand new Garmin Speed Challenge and the return of the Red Bull Homerun and much loved Cushe Airbag at this year’s event, 21st – 28th March 2010.

This bevy of additional, exciting events including the admission into all of the BRITS club nights, and the chance to demo the latest equipment from our hardware sponsors is absolutely FREE for all BRITS revellers when they arrive in Laax and flash a BRITS festival wristband fixed firmly around their wrist.

Garmin, the global leader in satellite navigation and creators of a series of GPS devices geared toward the snowsport enthusiast, will be introducing the brand new Garmin Speed Challenge at this year’s BRITS. Throughout the week revellers will charge the slopes to register a fastest time to be displayed upon the Garmin Leader board positioned centre stage at the Après Arena. Destined to spark post-slope boasting and debate, the Garmin Speed Challenge winner will naturally receive bragging rights plus a trip to The BRITS 2011 to defend their crown.



Back by popular demand Red Bull Homerun will finish off the high-speed BRITS action spectacularly on Saturday 27th March, when hundreds of competitors race en-mass from the top of the mountain to the bottom five miles below. The starting line sees an army of skiers and snowboarders jostling for position before racing to their kit – Le Mans style – and then tanking it flat-out all the way to the bottom for glory.



Known for their innovative way of doing things, BRITS official footwear partner, Cushe will be on hand again this year to offer some extra slope time on the Cushe Air Bag. Situated in the heart of the Après Session Arena, it will give the maverick an opportunity to push the boundaries all week, and set the scene for the Cushe Huck Fest, a one night only all-comers contest encouraging BRITS wristband holders to throw their inhibitions to one side and their bodies skyward for crowd appreciation and a haul of Cushe prizes.



Amazing package deals for the BRITS are available and start from as little as £230* per person, which includes - seven nights’ accommodation, seven days lift pass and an event pack containing an exclusive BRITS Ignite beanie and BRITS festival wristband giving access to the Club Nights and discounts. To book one of the package deals go to:www.brits10.com

The BRITS, which is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: :Animal, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, Snow+Rock Demo partners: DC, Ride, K2, Line, and Volkl skis. Media partners Whitelines,Dark Summer, Spiked, Extreme Sports Channel, Metrosnow.co.uk,Snowboardclub.co.uk, Skiclub.co.uk,and Natives.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and Laax

The BRITS are excited to announce the initial music line-up for their 21st annual Snow and Music festival in Laax, Switzerland from the 21st – 28th March 2010. If the fact that you can get a week’s package deal out to the BRITS from as little as *£230 wasn’t enough to convince you to book, then the promise of five banging Club Nights, an Air Guitar Rock Session and a 3-D Movie Premiere should!

Kicking off the BRITS music week in true British Hip Hop style and christening one of Laax’s hottest new club venues will be top DJ collective, SCRATCH. Fresh, fly, bold and wild – is the legacy, encompassing all forms of Hip Hop culture from djing, rapping and breaking. Featuring the Godfather of British Hip Hop, Rodney P and a DJ demi-god against mere DJ mortals, DJ Woody, described by friends Scratch Perverts as “one of the most creative djing forces the UK scene has ever produced”!

With under 80 days to go before the BRITS 2010 Snow and Music Festival descends upon Laax, Switzerland organisers are proud to announce that, SNO!zone - the UK’s largest indoor snow slope operator, are back onboard to take the title rights for the SNO!zone British Snowboard and Freeski Halfpipe Championships.

An impressive display of World-class Halfpipe riding was witnessed during the 2009 SNO!zone Halfpipe Championships, with riders, Ben Kilner, Sam Cullum, Dom Harington, Dan Wakeham and James Foster setting the standards and raising the bar in the men’s snowboard final. It was younger skiers, Katie Summerhayes and Tyler Jay-Harding who were pushing up through the ranks in the Freeski Halfpipe Championships whilst experienced skiers, James Machon and Emma Lonsdale dominated the top spots.

The BRITS, 21st – 28th March 2010 Laax, Switzerland.

With less than 90 days to go before The BRITS 2010 Snow and Music Festival hits Laax Switzerland it’s time to make the most of the UK’s recent snowfall and get the shred stick out, head for the nearest hill or snow covered common and practice manoeuvring between those extreme sledgers in preparation for one of the BRITS first events, the Trespass Snowboardcross and Skiercross Championships.

Less than 100 days to go and counting! The official countdown until the first day of the BRITS 2010 starts today. The hugely anticipated BRITS festival will be heading to the European freestyle mecca that is Laax, Switzerland from the 21st – 28th March 2010.

• £230* - based on 5 people sharing a 180 room, including 7 nights’ accommodation, 7 days liftpass, event pack and festival wrist band.
  
• £264 - £285* - based on 2-3 people sharing a 360 room and includes 7 nights’ accommodation, 7 days liftpass, event pack and festival wrist band.
  
• £306 - £355* - based on 2-3 people sharing a 540 room and includes 7 nights’ accommodation, with plasma TV and Xbox, 7 days liftpass, event pack and festival wrist band.

• £359* - based on five people sharing and apartment (Sunday –Sunday) and includes, 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 day lift pass, event pack and festival wrist band.
  
• £399* - based on four people sharing and apartment (Sunday –Sunday) and includes, 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 day lift pass, event pack and festival wrist band.

• £444* - £646*, including 7 nights’ accommodation, breakfast, 6 days liftpass, event pack and festival wristband.

The BRITS, Europe's longest established winter festival and number one event on the British Snowboarding and Freeskiing calendar is back! Returning to the award-winning Swiss resort of Laax, Switzerland from the 21st - 28th March 2010 at a head-turningly unbelievable £230 per person!

The BRITS is a unique, week-long winter festival that everyone should experience. Combining eight British Snowboard and Freeski Championship events including the Animal Slopestyle, SNO!zone Halfpipe and Trespass Snowboard/Skiercross and a musical juggernaut set to shake the pretty little Swiss resort to its very foundation.

This year we're offering packages at rates that would make a backpacker double-take. Starting from as little as £230* per person, packages include - seven nights accommodation, seven days lift pass and an event pack containing an exclusive BRITS Ignite beanie and BRITS festival wristband, providing FREE entry to all of the club night shenanigans plus a bevy of discounts and event privileges. With its choice of hotels or apartments including the stylish Riders Palace and the brand new design hotel, Rocks Resort, the BRITS 2010 is offering champagne taste for beer money, and we're bracing ourselves for an almighty lock-in.

As well as saving you a tidy packet, The BRITS also unites the UK's top athletes such as X-Games Gold medallist, Jenny Jones and Olympic hopefuls Ben Kilner and Zoe Gillings with budding amateurs, kids and rookies. Giving all-comers the chance to compete for British titles and World-ranking points. All standards are welcome and competitors can pre-register online for any one or more disciplines.

SCUK Members will also save 10% on the entry fee to any events they enter at The BRITS 2010. All you need is your membership card.



For 2010 we're adding even more to the Apres Sessions, so hold tight for some Home Run adrenaline-fuelled antics, Air Bag bravado, Highest Ollie posturing, free Demo Testing, plus some banging Live Acoustic Sets. The evening music menu will be covering all bases, with melodic flavours coming courtesy of internationally acclaimed solo artists, live bands and DJs that cross a spectrum of musical genres and styles.

Previous artists to have graced The BRITS include exuberant Brit-hoppers The GO Team, US hip-hop legends Ugly Duckling, and cut 'n' paste maestro DJ Yoda to name a few. The music line-up set to tear the roof off The BRITS 2010 will be announced shortly. So bookmark this page, register to receive our newsletter and get following us on Twitter and let's make sure we see you there: www.brits10.com.

The BRITS, which is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: :Animal, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, Snow+Rock Demo partners: DC, Ride, K2, Line, and Volkl skis. Media partners Whitelines,Dark Summer, Spiked, Extreme Sports Channel, Metrosnow.co.uk,Snowboardclub.co.uk, Skiclub.co.uk,and Natives.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and Laax

The British Snow Tour Invitational Championships, Metro Ski & Snowboard Show, London Olympia.

Huge and super stylish 720s was the trick of choice being laid down at the British Freeski and Snowboard Invitational Championships at the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show on Friday. Ten of the UK’s top snowboarders and 13 freeskiers were invited to compete and showcase their tricks in front of a crowd of thousands with the hopes of winning the Championship title.

The British Snow Tour Invitational Championships, Metro Ski & Snowboard Show, London Olympia.


James WoodThe British Snow Tour brings the UK’s freestyle elite to the annual spectacle that is the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show on Friday 23rd October 2009 for the highly anticipated British Invitational Big Air Championships. 12 of the UK’s top Snowboarders and 12 Freeskiers, which includes riders who qualified from the British Snow Tour Big Air Championships in Norfolk and Milton Keynes, will go head-to-head for the hotly contested British Invitational Championship titles!



Andy NuddsThe Metro Ski and Snowboard Show is the largest consumer wintersports show in Europe, with approx 45,000 people expected to attend. Set to be the highlight of Friday’s action, the British Invitational Championships will see the UK’s best Snowboarders, including Sam Cullum, Jamie Nicholls, Jack Shackleton and Freeskiers, Paddy Graham, James Woods and James Machon, drop in on the huge 12m high kicker and throw down their finest tricks with the hopes of becoming the 2009 British Champions.

The action will get underway at 4pm on Friday afternoon with the Snowboard Invitational Champs, whilst the crème de la crème of UK freeskiing talent will be reaching for the rafters from 7pm during the Freeski Invitational Big Air Championships.


Competition Schedule and Confirmed Snowboarders and Freeskiers:
4pm – British Snowboard Invitational Big Air Championships
7pm – British Freeski Invitational Big Air Championships

Although UK wunderkid Jamie Nicholls failed to make it through to the finals of the British Snow Tour Indoor Big Air Championships last month, it certainly wasn't for a lack of trying.

Check out these shots by Jools Smith that show just how close Jamie was to the ceiling at SNO!zone Milton Keynes.

A youngster from Davyhulme, Manchester who has suffered from a hip disorder since birth defied all odds to become a champion freestyling snowboarder with the support of Chill Factore.

Tom Robinson at Norfolk © Dunx @ SCUK

The Animal Slopestyle Championships at Castleford SNO!zone wrapped up the 2009 British Snow Tour in style on Saturday 3rd October. The creative slopestyle course, which included a selection of rails, boxes, kickers and elevated pipe jibs set the stage as over 160 of the UK’s top freestylers battled it out in one of the closest and highest levels of competitions seen on UK snow!

Animal Snowboard Slopestyle Championships
The Animal Snowboard Slopestyle Championships kicked off the day’s competition and the standard of riding was immense. Over 85 riders, 25 of them impressively coming from the women’s category hit the slope and linked together impressive and super technical runs making it a tough call to narrow the field for the finals for the judges.

It was extremely tight during the women’s qualification round, with the top four spots through to the final being increased to six after fourth place was tied between three riders. Lynsey Ashdown, who had been riding consistently well all day and qualified in first place, was victorious and walked away with the 2009 Animal Slopestyle Championship title. Lynsey’s winning run included a 50-50 180 out on the top rail, to switch boardslide on the middle rail, followed by a smooth frontside 360 over the kicker and cab 270 on the bottom box. Second place went to Helen Fox who charged the course and linked together a frontside lipslide on the top rail, a switch frontside boardslide on the middle rail and big method over the kicker. Sophie Nicholls, who has really stepped it up during this year’s British Snow Tour events, finished in third place with a smooth frontside lipslide on the top rail, to switch boardslide on the middle rail and an impressive 270 on the box.

In the men’s final Andy Nudds, Stu Edwards and Jack Shackleton where amongst the riders pushing the limits and raising the bar with incredibly tech rail tricks, big 540’s and cab 720’s being thrown down. Younger rider and Castleford local Tom Hunt, who had been killing it all day and impressed all with his consistent riding was crowned the 2009 Men’s Animal Slopestyle Champion. Tom’s impressive run included a 50–50 backside pivot cab 180 out on the top rail, to gap switch noseslide 180 out on the middle rail, to cab 720 mute over the kicker and a cab 180 to front blunt on the bottom gas pipe. A very close second place went to fellow Castleford rider, Jamie Nicholls who nailed a clean and stylish run that included a frontside blunt pivot 270, tap cab 180 out on the top rail, to 50-50 frontside 180 on the middle rail, to cab 720 melon over the kicker, to frontside blunt cab 360 out on the bottom gas pipe. John Weatherly finished in third place with a frontside blunt 270 out on the top rail, a gap frontside boardslide on the middle rail, to cab 270 off on the elevated pipe and a 180 on cab 360 off on the bottom gas pipe.

Animal Snowboard Slopestyle Championship Results:
Men
1st – Tom Hunt - Leeds
2nd – Jamie Nicholls - Bradford
3rd - John Weatherly - Chester

Women
1st – Lynsey Ashdown - Manchester
2nd – Helen Fox - London
3rd – Sophie Nicholls - Bradford



Animal Freeski Slopestyle Championships
In the afternoon over 70 freeskiers hit the slope and the Animal Slopestyle Course and linked together some stylish and technical rail and kicker combinations. Competition was fierce with all riders keen to impress the judges and make it through to the top four women and top eight men finals.

During the women’s final Katie Summerhayes continued to impress all and stepped it up on home turf to take the overall 2009 Animal Slopestyle Championship title. Katie’s run included a frontside 270 off on the top rail, to switch on the middle rail, followed by a 450 off on the elevated pipe and a frontside switch up, blind 270 out on the bottom gas pipe. Second place went to Servanne Herant who did a 270 onto the box, to 270 on the long rail, to frontside 270 out on gas pipe. Third place went to Kelly O’Donnell with a smooth run which included a 270 out on the elevated gas pipe and 270 on 270 off on the bottom box.

The standard of skiing in the men’s final was extremely high with all ages including experienced freeskiers Andy Bennett, Charlie Smith and younger ripper Cal Sandieson leading the way. Cal has impressively made it through to three British Snow Tour men’s overall finals now and at only 11 he’s definitely one to watch out for.

Josh Birch cemented his place as one of the UK’s top slopestyle riders by adding the Animal Indoor Slopestyle Championship title to his recent artificial slopestyle win in Norfolk. Josh’s run included a 270 on the down rail, to disaster 270 on the flat down rail, a 450 out on the elevator pipe followed by a switch lip 270 pretzel 450 out on the bottom gas pipe. James Wood’s finished in a close second place with a switch on, pretzel 270 out on the top down rail, a disaster 270 on the middle rail, followed by a 630 out on the elevator gas pipe and a 270 on 270 off on bottom gas pipe. Third place went to Josh Fawcett with a frontside 450 off the street rail and 450 off the elevated gas pipe.

Animal Freeski Slopestyle Championship Results:
Men
1st – Josh Birch - London
2nd – James Woods - Sheffield
3rd – Josh Fawcett – Stoke-on-Trent

Women
1st – Katie Summerhayes – Sheffield
2nd – Servanne Herant – Stoke-on-Trent
3rd – Kelly O’Donnell – Stoke-on-Trent


The inspirational schools tour team also ended their quest in Castleford after inspiring a further 100 beginners to come along to the event and have a lesson. The team will be hanging up their lunch boxes and letting the high fives hang loose until next year after successfully spreading the word to over 6,000 school pupils this summer and introducing over 500 kids to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time courtesy of the Animal and Trespass Learner Academies.

To check out the photos and video footage from the Animal Slopestyle Championships in Castleford or any of the previous events and to keep up to date with the British Snow Tour Invitational Championships, which is taking place on Friday 23rd October at the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show in London go to:www.britishsnowtour.com

The British Snow Tour and Schools Tour programme would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors:Animal, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, Snow+Rock Demo partners: DC, Ride, K2, Line, and Volkl skis. Media partners Whitelines,Dark Summer, Spiked, Extreme Sports Channel, Metrosnow.co.uk,Snowboardclub.co.uk, Skiclub.co.uk,and Natives.co.uk

Animal Slopestyle Championships, Castleford 3rd October 2009

The British Snow Tour head’s to Castleford SNO!zone this Saturday 3rd October for the final indoor event of the series, The Animal British Slopestyle Championships. The Schools Tour Team, along with Animal’s Team Rider and 2010 Winter Olympic hopeful Dom Harington will continue to spread the word when they visit over 1,500 pupils from two local schools along the way.

Castleford SNO!zone is a hot-bed for producing some of the UK best freestylers and is a regular stomping ground for riders including Jamie Nicholls, Dom Harrington and freeskiers James Woods and Katie Summerhayes. Riders will have a variety of freestyle toys to choose from during the Animal Slopestyle Champs including, an assortment of rails and boxes, a kicker gap down box and a barrel jib to keep all entertained.

Animal British Slopestyle Championship Schedule:
Saturday 3rd October, SNO!zone Castleford:
• Animal British Snowboard Slopestyle Championships
• Animal British Freeski Slopestyle Championships
• FREE Taster Ski & Snowboard Lessons

Welcoming all ages, abilities, styles and outfits, the British Snow Tour isn’t just for the elite. There are prizes and medals stretched across five age categories, kids, youth, junior, senior and masters with TTR points, FREE beginner lessons and a place on the Ride Snowboard Team up for grabs! To pre-register online and for more info go to:www.britishsnowtour.com

The British Snow Tour and Schools Tour programme would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors:Animal, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, Snow+Rock Demo partners: DC, Ride, K2, Line, and Volkl skis. Media partners Whitelines,Dark Summer, Spiked, Extreme Sports Channel, Metrosnow.co.uk,Snowboardclub.co.uk, Skiclub.co.uk,and Natives.co.uk

Trespass British Snowboardcross/Skiercross Championships and Rail Jam.

On Saturday 26th September over 200 competitors and spectators descended upon Glasgow SNO!zone for the hotly contested Trespass British Snowboardcross/Skiercross Championships and Rail Jam. Competition was fierce as riders went head-to-head in the four-way races, with some spectacular wipe-outs along the way. Over at the Trespass Learner Academy 100 beginners inspired by the high-speed action took advantage of the FREE lessons that were up for grabs.

Trespass British Snowboardcross Championships
The Trespass Snowboardcross Championships started the day’s action with over 65 riders going through the start gates in heats of four with the top two qualifying into the next round, until only the fastest four male and female competitors were remaining. In the women’s final Jules Chappell was first out of the start gates and continued her lead down the fast and challenging course to take the 2009 Trespass British Snowboardcross Championship title. Local rider, Christy Mearns looked set to take the silver but unfortunately skidded out on the step-up jump leaving Alice Blake to skilfully overtake and finish in second place with Christy finishing in third.

In the men’s final, all four riders charged out of the start gates in a tight pack with elbows out and boards touching. At the third banked turn things got a little too close for comfort and all four riders collided and crashed out. Kyle Wise who was first to his feet and first over the finish line had missed a gate and was unfortunately disqualified, leaving 2008 Snowboardcross Champ, Edward Castle-Henry to continue down the course and take the 2009 Trespass British Snowboardcross Championship title for the second year in a row. Donnie Macleod was the next rider to his feet and to cross the finish line in second place, whilst Team GB Snowboardcross racer, Tim McGregor, who had the fastest qualification run of the day finished in third.

Trespass Snowboard Rail Jam
During the afternoon’s rail jam, riders flexed their freestyle boards and finished off the day’s action in style. In the kids jam local ripper Mat McCormick impressed all to take the kids title with a smooth boardslide to switch-up, to fakie on the kinked rail. The ladies also stepped it up, with Jules Chappell adding another win to her collection with a frontside boardslide on the flat down rail.

In the men’s jam, Angus Mallock was mixing it up on the rails with a backside lipslide on the down rail and a super clean 50-50, frontside boardslide to 270 out on the kinked rail to take first place. A spot prize and special shout out from MC, James Thorne went to Edward Castle-Henry who aired the quarterpipe in the jam session with one of the biggest laid out back flips, to flat, ever seen!

Trespass British Snowboardcross Championship Results:
Men
1st – Edward Castle-Henry - Hertfordshire
2nd – Donnie Macleod - Glasgow
3rd – Tim McGregor - Glasgow
Women
1st – Jules Chappell – Milton Keynes
2nd – Alice Blake - Hertfordshire
3rd – Christy Mearns - Glasgow

Trespass Snowboard Rail Jam Results:
Men
1st – Angus Malloch - Perthshire
2nd – Danny McCormick - Glasgow
3rd – Jesse Smith - Edinburgh
Women
1st - Jules Chappell – Milton Keynes
2nd – Alice Blake - Hertfordshire
3rd - Riona Peterson, Dunbartonshire
Kids
1st – Mat McCormick - Glasgow
2nd – Jacob Robertson - Glasgow
3rd – Sam McGrath - Renfrew

British Snowboard Tour – Glasgow Picture Gallery

British Freeski Tour – Glasgow Picture Gallery

Jamie NichollsBritish Big Air Championships, Milton Keynes SNO!zone, 19th September 2009.

The First Indoor British Snow Tour event of the season, The British Big Air Championships got underway at Milton Keynes SNO!zone on Saturday 19th September. Over 110 snowboarders and freeskiers took to the slope to hit the all snow kicker, which was tagged the biggest indoor jump ever created, measuring a whopping 14m from the lip of the jump to the knuckle.

The British Snowboard Big Air Championships
The Snowboard Big Air Championships kicked off the day’s competition with each rider receiving two qualifying jumps to land their trick and impress the judges to make it through to the finals. The qualification rounds claimed a few injuries narrowing the field and all of a sudden the competition was wide open. After a tough call by the judges the top eight men and four women were selected and the finals got under way.

The younger girls were setting the standard during the Women’s overall final with 12-year-old Katie Ormerod stepping up and hitting the medium kicker and landing a big backside 360 to win the overall British Big Air Title. Second place went to Sophie Nicholls who had been riding really well all day and landed a big cab 180 over the small kicker. With a stylish method grab over the medium kicker third place went to Emily Park.

In the Men’s final it was experienced riders Andy Nudds and Jack Shackleton that set the standard, reaching incredible heights and travelling over 16m through the air before stomping their tricks. Nudds, who had qualified through to the final in first place was victorious and took the 2009 British Big Air title after he landed an enormous textbook frontside 720, one of the biggest jumps ever witnessed indoors. Second place went to Team GB rider, Jack Shackleton, whose experience of riding big kickers shone through after he landed a huge stylish backside 360. Sparrow Knox who was one of the younger riders to make it through to the finals finished in third place after he stomped a big, smooth and floaty backside 180 over the big kicker.

The British Snowboard Big Air Championship Results:
Men
1st – Andy Nudds – Halifax
2nd – Jack Shackleton - Newbury
3rd – Sparrow Knox – London

Women
1st – Katie Ormerod – Halifax
2nd – Sophie Nicholls – Halifax
3rd – Emily Park – Wiltshire

Andy Nudds final run © Dunx @ SCUK

Jack Shackleton final run © Dunx @ SCUK

Katie Omerod in the finals © Dunx @ SCUK

Trespass British Snowboardcross/Skiercross Championships and Rail Jam.

The 2009 British Snow Tour heads to bonnie Scotland this weekend, Saturday 26th September for The Trespass British Snowboardcross/Skiercross Championships and Rail Jam Session. The Schools Tour Team will also continue on its quest in Glasgow to encourage more youngsters to get shredding when they visit two secondary schools and give away 100 FREE taster lessons.

With a massive local scene and some of the UK’s hottest new talent, including snowboarder, Danny McCormick and freeski ripper, Cal Sandieson, emerging from Glasgow and rising up through the ranks, the British Snow Tour is really excited to be heading back to Glasgow’s SNO!zone this weekend. The Trespass Rail Jam will complement proceedings and keep the freestylers entertained, whilst the Trespass Snowboardcross and Skiercross Championships promise’s to challenge the most confident and competitive of ‘cross’ enthusiasts.

British Snow Tour Schedule:
Saturday 26th September, SNO!zone Glasgow:

• 08:30 – 09:30 – Competition Registration
  
• 09:30 – 13:00 - Trespass Freeski Rail Jam Session
  
• 10:00 – 13:00 - Trespass British Snowboardcross Championships
  
• 12:00 – 16:00 - FREE Taster Ski & Snowboard Lessons
  
• 13:00 – 16:00 - Trespass British Skiercross Championships
  
• 13:00 – 18:00 - Trespass Snowboard Rail Jam Session

Here are my photos from the weekend's fun and games at Norfolk Ski Club all on Facebook I'm afraid.

British Dryslope Boardercross Championships
British Dryslope Big Air Championships
British Dryslope Slopestyle Championships

I've never been to the slope before and it's a great setup. I think the SnowFlex could have done with a damn good clean though, especially with high profile events like the Farmer's Jam and British Championships coming to town.

British Big Air Championships, Milton Keynes 19th September 2009.


On Saturday 19th September the British Snow Tour will head indoors to Milton Keynes to host the first indoor event of the serious – The British Big Air Championships. The 2-STAR TTR event will also serve as a qualification round for the Invitational Big Air Champs at this year’s Metro Ski & Snowboard show in London!

The 9m all snow kicker is being hand crafted as we speak and looks set to elevate the UK’s riders including snowboarders Jamie Nicholls and Sam Cullum and freeskiers James Woods and Katie Summerhayes into new heights.

Pro snowboarder James Thorne will be joining the Schools Tour Team in Milton Keynes when they drop in on two schools and present to over 900 youngsters the positive benefits about getting active with skiing and snowboarding. Ride Snowboards will also be continuing their quest to spot fresh new talent during the Big Air Championships with a place on the UK Ride Snowboard Team up for grabs.

British Big Air Championship Schedule;

• British Snowboard Big Air Championships
  
• British Freeski Big Air Championships
  
• FREE Ski & Snowboard Lessons

British Artificial Snowboard Championships, Norfolk 12th & 13th September 2009.

British Artificial Championships, Norfolk 12th & 13th September 2009.

The 2009 British Snowboard and Freeski Tour kicks off in Norfolk this weekend, 12th & 13th September with the action-packed ‘Mini BRITS’ weekender. With two full days of slope action, Six British Championship titles, Six wildcard spots to compete at the Metro Show in London PLUS the chance to join the prestigious Ride Snowboard Team up for grabs, Norfolk’s ‘Mini BRITS’ promises to be an amazing first event and start to the season!

The inspirational Schools Tour Team will get the show rocking with, Pat Sharples, Paddy Graham, Becky Hammond and local ripper Tom Coe dropping in on two Norwich schools on Thursday 10th & Friday 11th September. Whilst over at the Norfolk slope, preparations are being made and obstacles assembled for the British Big Air, Animal Slopestyle and Trespass Snowboardcross/Skierscross Championships. The top three snowboarders and freeskiers from the Big Air Championships over the weekend will also gain a wildcard spot to compete in the British Invitational Champs at the Metro Show in London.

Leading snowboard brand and British Snow Tour Demo Sponsor, Ride, will also be heading to Norfolk over the weekend to host the brand new interactive ‘Big Ride Quiz’ on Saturday evening. Ride Snowboard team manager, Matt Burt along with team riders, Ben Knox and Chris Chatt will also be on the lookout to find a new team rider: Matt Burt quoted: “If you fancy a place on the UK’s sickest snowboard team, why not rock up and show us what you’re made of. There'll be Ride team pro's at all four snow tour events spotting talent worthy of joining them on the UK Ride snowboard team, along with spot prizes for those showing real talent. If you rock it, Ride it...”

• Trespass Snowboardcross Championships
  
• Snowboard Big Air Championships
  
• Animal Freeski Slopestyle Championships
  
• FREE Beginner Snowboard Lessons
  
• The Big Ride Quiz Night

• Trespass Skiercross Championships
  
• Freeski Big Air Championships
  
• Animal Snowboard Slopestyle Championships
  
• FREE Beginner Ski Lessons

The first British Snow Tour event is the Artificial Championships, which this year will see a combined event hosted at the Norfolk Snowsports Club up near Norwich. It's a long way to go for some, but with two full days of on slope action to decide Artificial Big Air, Slopestyle and Boardercross Champions in both ski and snowboard, spectators are in for a treat.

Here's the slope plan for the weekend.

Snow+Rock become Official Retail Partner for the 2009 British Snow Tour.

The 2009 British Snowboard & Freeski Tour are pleased to announce that leading winter sports and outdoor specialists, Snow+Rock have climbed on-board as the brand new official retail partner for the upcoming British Snow Tour. With over 27 years in the business they share the commitment, passion and enthusiasm to bolster the UK snow-sports scene and support the Tours grassroots initiative.

“We have watched The British Snow Tour develop into an amazing series of events that inspires a huge amount of people to get involved in snow-sports. Becoming a sponsor has given Snow+Rock the chance to become a part of a vibrant and exciting sector of the snow-sports community, and to encourage participation at all levels” - Kevin Young, Head of Marketing, Snow+Rock.

The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, which encompasses core, respected and independent freestyle snowboard contests Worldwide will also continue to support the 2009 British Snowboard Tour. Riders will get the chance to not only win British Championship Titles, but gain World ranking points and an overall position alongside snowboarding megastars such as Shaun White and Jamie Anderson. Check out www.ttrworldtour.com for more information.

The British Snow Tour is open to all ability levels and is served up across five age categories. To pre-register to compete and keep up to date with event details go to: www.britishsnowtour.com

British Snow Tour dates for your diaries

British Artificial Championships AKA ‘Mini BRITS’

• 12th & 13th September 2009 – Norfolk, British Snowboard & Freeski Big Air, Animal Slopestyle & Trespass Snowboard /Skiercross Championships

British Indoor Championships: - Enter 3 indoor events for the price of 2!

• 19th September 2009 – Milton Keynes, British Snowboard & Freeski Big Air Championships
  
• 26th September 2009 – Glasgow, Trespass British Snowboard/Skiercross Championships
  
• 3rd October 2009 - Castleford, Animal British Snowboard & Freeski Slopestyle Championships