The Nines By Falken Kicks Off In Crans-Montana,

The Nines by Falken starts today (Monday April 4) in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, high above the Rhone Valley at 3,000 metres on the Plaine Morte Glacier, with famous views across to Mont Blanc and The Matterhorn.

The Nines is a freestyle skiing and snowboarding event with some of the world’s top athletes taking part in 6 days of unique action on specially built jumps that produce spectacular displays full of tricks and moves that defy gravity. After a busy winter season where they have competed hard against each other all over the world, elite global freeskiers and snowboarders are being let loose on one of most innovative park setups ever built.

Whilst the course remains closed to visitors through the week, Saturday April 9 will see it open fully for public viewing and spectators can access the arena via the Plaine Morte cable car. There’s a competition on throughout the day, with the finals taking place at 2pm. DJ’s Simon Yul and Emil Lange will provide the tunes and there’s food and drink available from the Plaine Morte Food Truck and Red Bull Bar.

With the Caprices Music Festival taking place on the same weekend, it’s set to be one of the most exciting weekends in Crans-Montana for snowsports and electronic music enthusiasts.

The Nines was first introduced as Nine Knights in 2008 when freeskier Nico Zacek hosted eight other riders at a jump session in Oberstdorf, Germany with 2011 seeing the launch of Nine Queens – a women's only event held in SerfausFissLadis, Austria – and progression ensued.

Three years later, the two events joined forces at the infamous 2014 snowpark in Livigno, Italy where freeskier Jesper Tjäder would chuck a double backflip over the halfpipe transfer gap – stomping one of the most legendary sends in competition history.

From 55m 'death gaps' to giant hips with five different takeoffs and breathtaking snow castles with infinite options, The Nines has set new standards in terrain park innovation with Swiss freeskier Andri Ragettli landing the firstever switch triple misty 1620 at the 2019 edition.

The mindbending 2022 setup will feature an array of rounded shapes, bowls and natural lines that prioritise flow, function and the avoidance of artificial snow – an emerging philosophy guiding the event's future and neverbeforeseen features that reimagine the transition concept.

Ahead of the 30th edition, aspiring competitors were also challenged to create a short video that highlights their jump and rail manoeuvres for a chance to earn a wild card spot at The Nines 2022.

This year's handpicked crew includes snowboard slopestyle prodigy Marcus Kleveland (NOR), standout freeskier Tess Ledeux (FRA), as well legendary freestylers Jamie Anderson (USA) and David Wise (USA).

The Nines 2022 field

Men’s snowboard