The 23/24 Park & Pipe Big Air World Cup season is now underway with the Big Air Chur Festival in Switzerland going down a couple weeks ago taken out by Japanese powerhouse Kokomo Murase and Hiroto Ogiwara.
The Park & Pipe World Cup tour this season will hit 14 competitions at 10 venues in five countries across three continents before it’s all said and done.
While in a little lull in November, come December it’s the return for a fast and furious run of three competitions in three weeks through the first half of December to wrap the big air season before the holiday break.
Before we get into the December madness, here’s a look ahead at the World Cup season’s big air campaign from top to bottom.
BEIJING FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP (CHN) – 30 NOV-02 DEC
Stop number two on this season’s big air World Cup takes us back to what is arguably the most striking venue in all of snowsports, the world’s first (and only) permanent, purpose-built big air venue in Beijing (CHN). The site of indelible memories from the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the Beijing big air venue is without parallel in the world. Don’t miss this one, because it’s almost a guarantee that we’ll see the highest competition level of the season there in China.
EDMONTON STYLE EXPERIENCE FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP (CAN) – 08-09 DEC
Fresh on the scene last season, the Edmonton Style Experience made an immediate impact, with a revolutionary jump design set inside the massive Commonwealth Stadium creating one of the most epic settings yet for World Cup big air competition. With some of last season’s kinks ironed out (more speed WILL be available!) and an even bigger, rowdier Canadian crowd sure to be on hand, Edmonton is set to take its place as a season highlight in 2023/24.
VISA BIG AIR COPPER MOUNTAIN FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP (USA) – 13-16 DEC
The big air World Cup season is set to close at the VISA Big Air Copper Mountain, where the crystal globes will end up in the hands of the winter’s finest riders. Copper has been bringing the goods year in and year out since 2012/13, and last season was no exception. In welcoming big air action to its slopes for the first time since the 2017/18 season, Copper reminded us all how much we love a good ol’ fashioned on-piste booter, and we’re stoked to return to “The Athletes’ Mountain” again to finish off the 2022/23 season in style.
Let’s dive into the world of snowboarding and meet these incredible heavy hitters on the women’s side:
ANNA GASSER – 32 – AUT
The snow queen herself, Anna Gasser, still reigns supreme. After snagging a second big air Olympic gold medal at Beijing 2022, she continued to show her absolute dominance last season by claiming Bakuriani World Championships gold. Gasser’s performance in tough conditions was simply elite. There’s not much more to add about Gasser – she’s the GOAT of GOATs and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
REIRA IWABUCHI – 21 – JPN
Reira Iwabuchi had an outstanding season, securing her third career big air crystal globe and tying with Anna Gasser for the most all-time in FIS Snowboard World Cup history. But what truly set her apart was her remarkable feat at the X Games, where she became the first woman to land a triple cork in competition on her way to gold. This momentous occasion marked a significant milestone for the sport.
MIA BROOKES – 17 – GBR
Meet the steeze machine, Mia Brookes, who sent shockwaves through the snowboarding world at the Bakuriani 2023 World Championships. She became the first woman in snowboard history to stomp a flat-spinning 1440 in competition during a slopestyle run, and she did it without ever having landed the trick before. Brookes is undoubtedly one of snowboarding’s rising stars, casually claiming World Champs gold with her jaw-dropping run.
ZOI SADOWSKI-SYNNOTT – NZL – 22
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott is one of the most well-rounded riders in snowboarding history. With a list of achievements that includes Olympic slopestyle gold, Natural Selection victory, and multiple X Games gold medals, she’s a true force in the sport. Zoi’s powerful and stylish riding has solidified her place among the greats, and it seems like she’s just hitting her prime.
LAURIE BLOUIN – CAN – 27
Laurie Blouin is known for her unflappable demeanor and her ability to step up when it counts. With an Olympic slopestyle silver and World Champs big air gold among her accomplishments, Blouin’s finest moment came at the X Games. There, she landed the second-ever women’s triple cork and claimed big air silver, showcasing her determination and skill on the snow.
And now, let’s shift our focus to the heavy hitters on the men’s side of the competition:
TAIGA HASEGAWA – JPN – 17
At just 17 years old, Taiga Hasegawa is already considered the gnarliest man in big air. His World Champs gold at Bakuriani 2023 solidified his status, but he left no doubt by throwing down some mind-blowing tricks, including all-four-ways-1980s. Currently, there’s no one else on earth who can match what Taiga can do, making him the one to beat.
VALENTINO GUSELI – AUS – 18
Valentino Guseli is a true menace in slopestyle, halfpipe, and big jumps. Last season, he made history by becoming the first rider to podium in all three events in a single World Cup season, earning him the Park & Pipe overall crystal globe. With his first career World Cup win in Edmonton and a big air globe under his belt, Guseli is on a path to global domination.
MARCUS KLEVELAND – NOR – 23
Marcus Kleveland is a technical wizard on a snowboard, constantly inventing new tricks. His repertoire includes a nollie double frontside rodeo tailgrab, which he showcased during his win in Copper last season. The X Games even had to create a knucklehuck competition just to accommodate his mind-bending skills. Kleveland is a two-time reigning slopestyle World Champion, X Games big air champion, and a podium favorite every time he drops in.
RYOMA KIMATA – JPN – 21
Ryoma Kimata stands out as one of the top Japanese team riders. He finished higher on the World Cup points list last season and secured slopestyle silver at the Bakuriani 2023 World Championships. Coached by the legendary Yas Sato, Kimata is expected to make big waves this season.
SU YIMING – CHN – 19
Su Yiming may have taken a season off from World Cup competitions, but he’s back and ready to wow us with his signature gnarliness. Known for his extraordinary skills and creativity, Su is a force to be reckoned with on the snowboard scene. Keep an eye out for his return and his upcoming performances in the World Cup circuit – it’s bound to be a thrilling ride.
