The Relentless Freeze Festival may not be running as part of the F.I.S. World Cup for 2012, due to cost cutting from the ski federation, so they have decided to make the competition invitational and are hoping to boast a world class line-up.
The benefits of having a World Cup event meant the Freeze Festival was able to gain great PR and attract big names to the event, but having the F.I.S. onboard meant certain restrictions, which were put in place preventing certain competition formats being used. With the invitational format this winter, the popular Europe vs The World competition is back, along with the best trick competition.
The invitational format also means that non World Cup riders can enter this year and the line-up is looking as good, if not better, than previous winters as the world's top skiers and snowboarders have all been invited to compete. So far the Helgusons, Gjermund Braaten, Janne Korpi, Staale Sandbech, Marko Grilc and Victor de la Rue have all been confirmed, with rumours circulating that Seb Toutant and Mark McMorris may also be appearing. Jamie Nicholls & the always inverted Billy Morgan will be representing the UK. The skiing line-up is also looking pretty good too, with Jossi Wells, Henrik Harlaut and Gus Kenworthy, with James Woods representing the UK.
If the skiing isn't enough for you, this year's music line-up is the most impressive yet, with DJ Shadow headlining the Friday night and Public Enemy on the Saturday night. With two stages, an aprés ski bar and loads of skiing and snowboarding on offer, this year's Freeze Festival looks set to be the best yet.
Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Igluski