Finally, the Hintertux Opening was blessed with blue skies and no wind as we kicked off the winter season. Last year we spent the majority of the weekend relaxing in the sauna of the sublime Bergfried Hotel but this year it was spent in snowboard boots and beanies, as Hintertux is a really fun place to ride right now.

Whilst the snow was scarce in some places, Wille Kaufman and his Betterpark team of shapers have seemingly done the impossible and built one of the best Hintertux Parks we have ever seen. This year there are hips, multiple transitions, a quaterpipe, a medium and baby line, an advanced line (which was used for Werni Stock’s Invitational Big air) and an abundance of rails, boxes and gas pipes, stretching all the way down to the T-bar.

Some of the world’s greatest riders returned to Hintertux last weekend to blow off the summer cobwebs and take part in Werni Stock’s annual invitational Big Air event. Kyle Mack (USA) was the standout in the judges’ eyes and received the “Best Overall Rider” award: “I have known about Werni’s session for years and to be finally able to compete in it and actually win best overall was sick!” Moritz Amsüss (AUT) put down the best trick of the day with a back 1620. Sebbe de Buck’s showed that the rumour that tall people have bad style is false by winning the Best Style trophy. Annika Morgan impressed in the women’s field, while Kuba Hrones (CZE) got voted Best Rookie. An excited and relieved Werni said “This was the best Opening ever! I am so happy with the Invitational, perfect weather, perfect park, motivated riders and great vibes!”

The SANE! Snowboarding crew held their annual “Cash for Tricks” session on selected rails and jibs, but this year mixed it up by holding one session on the quaterpipe. The weather was hot, and the vibes were high as riders tried to outdo their competitors. Riders won beer money for best trick, most creative and most style and this year they got the chance to battle it out with Stale Sandbech, Sebbe de Buck and Fridge who also decided to join the event.

On Thursday we got to meet the Burton Adaptive Team, which used the opportunity to present their new mini video-series and soon to be released photography book titled “Dreams”, which was produced by Carlos Blanchard. These inspiring group of riders not only shred hard but also inspire others with a similar disability to also take up snowboarding. We will definitely be telling their story more during the season.  

Over 20 excited kids signed up for the Kids Shred to be coached by Marko Grilc, Steve Gruber and Wolle Beer. Photographer Markus “Fischi” Fischer was shooting the action and provided each kid with a personal Pleasure-Mag cover-shot. It was great to see so many young riders take part and some of them showed real potential for the future.

The organizers must be pleased with such a successful Park Opening, which went down meeting all necessary Covid-19 regulations, while offering freestylers a perfect start into the new winter season. Mark the date for next year in your calendar already now, the 18th edition is planned from September 29th – October 2nd, 2022!