The world’s top freeskiers and snowboarders descend on Crans-Montana in Switzerland this week for the ultimate progression session at The Nines 2022.
– From April 4 to 9, the wildest snowsports event of 2022 will return to Crans-Montana for the 30th edition of the coveted action sports series The Nines and the newly-designed course is expected to become a breeding ground for world-first trickery, massive sends and viral moments.
– 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 set-ups ever built.
Venue shot during The Nines in Crans-Montana, Switzerland in 2022. // The Nines / Red Bull Contentpool
– 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 Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, 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 first-ever switch triple misty 1620 at the 2019 edition.
– The mind-bending 2022 set-up 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 never-before-seen 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).
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- Mac Forehand competes during Men’s Ski Slopestyle at Toyota US Grand Prix in Mammoth Mountain, California, USA on 09 January 2022. // Christian Pondella / Red Bull Content Pool
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- Fabian Boesch competes during Men’s Ski Slopestyle at Toyota US Grand Prix in Mammoth Mountain, California, USA on 09 January 2022. // Christian Pondella / Red Bull Content Pool
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- Hailey Langland competes in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle during the Toyota US Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, California, USA on 06 January 2022. // Christian Pondella / Red Bull Content Pool
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- Marcus Kleveland performs at the Laax Open in Laax, Switzerland on January 12, 2022. // Lorenz Richard / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202201120716 // Usage for editorial use only //
The Nines 2022 field
Men’s snowboard
Marcus Kleveland (NOR)
Sebbe De Buck (BEL)
Fridtjof Tischendorf (NOR)
Pat Burgener (SUI)
Patrick Hoffman (SUI)
Valentino Guseli (AUS)
Moritz Boll (SUI)
Nick Van der Velden (NED)
Men’s ski
Jesper Tjäder (SWE)
Birk Ruud (NOR)
Mac Forehand (USA)
Fabian Bösch (SUI)
Matěj Švancer (AUT/CZ)
Andri Ragettli (SUI)
Finn Bilous (NZL)
Alex Ferreira (USA)
Nicolas Vuignier (SUI)
David Wise (USA)
Women’s snowboard
Hailey Langland (USA)
Jamie Anderson (USA)
Annika Morgan (GER)
Tess Coady (AUS)
Laurie Blouin (CAN)
Reira Iwabuchi (JPN)
Mia Brookes (GBR)
Loranne Smans (BEL)
Maria Hidalgo (ESP)
Yuka Fujimore (JPN)
Women’s ski
Tess Ledeux (FRA)
Mathilde Gremaud (SUI)
Sarah Hoefflin (SUI)
Jennie-Lee Burmansson (SWE)
Taylor Brooke Lundquist (USA)
Bella Bacon (EST)
Coline Ballet-Baz (FRA)
Maggie Voisin (USA)
Johanne Killi (NOR)
Kirsty Muir (GBR)
