LAAX, Switzerland, January 18, 2016 – The first LAAX OPEN kicked off with a fantastic competition day. A white winter paradise with blue bird and sunshine welcomed the international snowboard scene on the Crap Sogn Gion, above LAAX.

30 men from 10 countries and 19 women from 6 different nations performed today in the world longest halfpipe. In the open qualifiers the youngest as well as the experienced riders had a lot of fun and showed their skills. The best 6 ladies and best 12 men advanced to the halfpipe semifinals, scheduled for Wednesday. There they will have the chance to compete with international top riders like the reigning Olympic champion Iouri Podladtchikov from Switzerland, X-Games winner, Danny Davis from USA, World Champion Arielle Gold (USA) and Olympic silver medalist Torah Bright from Australia.

Stay tuned!

From 18th to 24th January 2016 Laax is cranking it up. Up on the mountains or down in the valley, inside or outside - the freestyle feeling is taking over. High-class sports, powder runs, snowboarding and cultural and culinary delights - with something for everyone, the LAAX OPEN is in a class of its own. The prize money offered is also one of a kind: USD 500,000.