Successful Third Edition Of Snowfest Innsbruck
The weekend of November 22–24 was all about winter sports. For the third time, Snowfest Innsbruck took center stage in front of the Tiroler Landestheater, set against the stunning backdrop of the Nordkette mountains. With the Rock A Rail Ski & Snowboard Contest as its highlight, the Snowfest drew enthusiastic crowds. Snowboarders and freeskiers thrilled the audience with jaw-dropping tricks on the newly designed Rock A Rail setup, creating countless “wow” moments. The Rock A Rail Innsbruck victories were claimed by Paula Benito (ESP) and Moritz Amsuess (AUT) for snowboarding, and Tereza Korabova (CZE) and Ryan Stevenson (USA) for skiing.
ROCK A RAIL SKI & SNOWBOARD – As the second stop of the 2024 Rock A Rail Tour, following Thun (SUI) in mid-October, Innsbruck featured a stellar lineup of the world’s best jibbers, including World Cup riders and local talents. Fifty snowboarders and freeskiers from 23 countries descended on Innsbruck, delivering an explosive and creative show.
Friday saw the snowboarders kick off the action on the setup, the so-called “Rock A Rail Cage”, demonstrating what’s possible on one board. Spain’s Paula Benito, the reigning queen of Rock A Rail, once again stole the show. After winning the first Rock A Rail Tour in 2023 and landing on second place at this year’s Thun stop, she impressed the judges with a stylish front blunt Indy and an incredible frontside 180 switch 50-50 half cab out. Anne-Sophie Lechon (BEL) secured a solid second place, while Austria’s young talent Selin Lakatha delighted the home crowd by claiming third: “I didn’t expect to place third, so I’m thrilled! It was a quite a challenge for me, but such a fantastic experience.” In the men’s competition, Austria’s Moritz Amsuess made history as the first Austrian Innsbruck winner. Tackling every rail and feature, he wowed the crowd with a Cab 270 pretzel out and a 50-50 to backside lipslide. “It’s an amazing feeling to be on the podium, at home, surrounded by all my homies in the crowd. What more could you ask for?” The runner-up spot went to American Nate Haust, who had already impressed during qualifications, while Russia’s Petr Ershov rounded out the podium with his seamless flow and style.
Saturday was all about the freeskiers, who delivered a breathtaking trick show that had the audience roaring. Eight women rose to the challenge, showcasing the fun and versatility of the new setup. Tereza Korabova (CZE) stood out with her innovative tricks, earning her the top spot: “The new setup is so much fun! It was amazing to ride with all the girls, and everyone really gave it their all.” French skier Alais Develay made a strong Rock A Rail debut, claiming second place, followed by Spain’s María Estuu in third. In the men’s category, the competition reached a fever pitch as the riders pushed the limits of creativity. Ultimately, American Ryan Stevenson emerged victorious, showcasing his mastery of the setup: “I’m kind of speechless right now. This is huge for me! Thanks to the community, thanks Innsbruck, and thanks Rock A Rail!” Fellow American Tucker Fitzsimons took second place, Petr Ershov (RUS) ended up third.
The Snowfest caravan now moves on to the grand finale of the 2024 Rock A Rail Ski & Snowboard Tour, scheduled for December 6–8 in The Hague.
SNOWFEST VILLAGE – Next to the Rock A Rail ramp, the Snowfest Village offered a vibrant showcase of winter sports. Visitors could try snowboarding, test their balance, experience ski bobs, learn about avalanche safety from SAAC, or take a turn on the downhill simulator. The village buzzed with activity all weekend, also on Sunday when the ramp was open for children and teens to tackle a modified setup tailored to their skills. The overnight transformation of the course ensured a safe and engaging experience for the young participants.
