Ralph Backstrom shows what the Freeride World Tour is made of, in Revelstoke, Canada
With a start gate at the top, a finish gate at the base, and a banquet of cliff faces, couloirs and cornices in-between, event courses on the Freeride World Tour are far from ordinary. The cream of freeride skiers and snowboarders are invited to take part, and choose their own line, being judged for its difficulty, plus control, fluidity, jumps and even the quality of their crashes. The first of six 2012 events was in Revelstoke, Canada, where pictured US rider Ralph Backstrom stormed the men’s snowboarding. Still to come are contests in Fieberbrunn (Austria, 10 to 16 March), and the grand finale in Verbier (Switzerland, 24 March to 1 April). Watch out for British boarder James Stentiford, who was a wildcard entrant to last year’s Tour yet came a surprise third at two events, and sixth overall. This year he scored an invite, and is determined to make it to Verbier – only six male snowboarders go through after the first five events. Follow his progress and find out more at www.freerideworldtour.com.