The Closing Cup

Blanketed in white, our beloved Snowfields smile down on us all. We celebrate winter by playing in the snow!

Winter sports are an incredible source of fun and we, at Sports for Winter, revel in it all.

Snowboarders, skiers, and any other sport involving snow; we welcome them one and all!

Boundless energy and enthusiasm drive us as we dance across the slopes. Carving tracks into the snow, leaving nothing but ripple-like trails behind us is bliss.

Our alliance of winter sports lovers stands firmly united by the same cause: to enjoy the winter season with no restrictions or inhibitions whatsoever.

Heads held high, our passion radiates from within—a contagious rush of pure bliss! Wintersports seekers yearning for even more—join us today!

More hands make light work indeed and we’ll be able to double our efforts instantly. Strengthened by sheer numbers not just for this season but for years to come.

Sports for Winter will soon become colossal, with nations worldwide flocking together in unity! If you’re a snowboarder or skier yourself then don’t wait for another second—unite with us now!

Be part of something bigger than yourself; something unique and special that brings people together through joyous winters wherever they may be located. Create unparalleled experiences during snowy days as we glide, soar and fly over majestic trees deep in wondrous forests right here at home or even abroad if you wish!

We invite everyone to join in on the fun; to freely share their love & knowledge along the way too! Laughing together as ribs ache with pain during those steep exits after an exhilarating ride downwards — becomes a shared experience evident at its best within the Sports For Winter community!-- A passionate comradery where we strive continuously towards endless adventure throughout wintry days!

Our journey has only just begun so why stay behind? Discover your true potential; embark on a precious journey like never before. So what are you waiting for? Join like-minded kitesurfers & snow seekers from around the globe today—everything starts here with the Sports For Winter alliance so seize this chance & be a part of it all now!

If you like to contribute to our blog email us at [email protected] for more information!

As the dust settled from an action packed week of slushy spring boarding, we caught up with Elio Fumagalli to get his thoughts on the Escape crews second event. Along the way, we found out the full story on his perspective bending injury and the future of Switzerland’s most valuable video gang…

Hey Elio, What’s up with The Escape Closing Cup and how did it all get started?
It’s our way of celebrating the end of the season here in Laax. Everything started about two years ago with Lou (Staub), Gian (Sutter) and me. Together with the other boys in the Escape crew, we created this concept. The Pleasure spring sessions had gotten smaller and smaller over the years, so we pitched the idea to do our own thing through our Escape Crew network. Luckily Laax gave us the opportunity, so this is the second year that we’ve hosted a session.

What do you like most about it?
It‘s such a carefree atmosphere. Everybody can come and session together. That’s really the main point of it – getting together and heaving a good time!

Jonas Gasser Gallery

What was on the menu for the three days of the event?
We started with a really fun hip session. On the second day, we had a great jib plaza where people could get creative and push themselves. And there was also the Super Friendly Society playground, where people of all levels could ride together. The point of that one was to make sure that everyone felt welcome. On the last day we closed it out with a good mini pipe session and a dance party in front of the No Name bar. Every night there was music and drinks, and in the end the parties got pretty wild.

Shannon Sweeney Gallery

You’ve mentioned that snowboarding is not the only important thing in The Cup, what else was there?
Of course snowboarding is the main focus, but I also think that’s important to celebrate the culture next to the riding with music and dancing. I want it to be a place where everyone can express themselves and get involved. It‘s like a magic soup where everybody adds their own flavor to the mix.

So everybody in the crew has their own responsibility, regarding the organization of the event?
Yes… my part is the music, both as a DJ and also organizing the parties with the bars. Lou is the machine, he pushes the project and has the skills to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Gian has his own space with all the creatives. Everybody contributes in their own way. We couldn’t do it without the energy from the whole crew. It‘s great that everybody can bring their own skills to the event. It’s actually a lot like our movies.

Thomas Wietse Gallery

Since you mentioned movies, how was your experience filming for Sixth Sense? I guess your injury was pretty heavy…
Yes man, an interesting bail. Till then, I had been super lucky and hadn‘t really had any big injuries over the years. But last year I had a bigger accident and broke my hip. In the end, I had to get surgery, involving some screws and metal plates.
The whole movie was kind of a challenge and there was some pressure, since everybody wanted to do better than last year. That’s also great, as long as we don’t take it too far as riders, or as a crew. But Flo (Fischer) injured himself on the first trip, Dario hurt himself too on a Ride trip, and after two clips I fucked up my hip. So the energy in the crew was pretty difficult. In the end, they managed to do a trip in December to finish off the movie and really delivered.

So what happened exactly, with your injury?
It was the third spot with a steep double kink. I had some really good first tries with 50/50s and was slowly moving towards a frontlip. But on the fifth try I was just to chilled and lost the respect for the spot. The result was a classic front lip PING with the tail to full body taco. Thats how I fucked up my hip. But I was so surprised regarding my attitude, since I wasn‘t really too bummed. In a way, I actually felt a bit relieved and was able to finally let go of all of the pressure that had been adding up over the seasons,
But I did a good rehab over the summer and this season was so good. I really didn‘t have a lot of pressure and got to enjoy lots of soul-shredding. A lot of people think I‘m not shredding anymore. But thats not the case – I just ride other things. I’m not putting myself in a position where I might eat another taco.

So now you’ll focus more on powder instead of the streets?
Yes, I was really stoked about some day trips with Severin van der Meer this season. It‘s so fun to shred with him and get to know new resorts, while building up some backcountry knowledge. It‘s important to have somebody to open the doors. You never know if you are a powder guy if you just go out with street riders. Now I think I found my passion again in the powder and on the bigger mountains.

What do you like the most about it?
It‘s so creative and playful! When I watch Sevi, it’s like he’s dancing. I want to take that energy and find my way of flowing with the mountain. And I think that kind of riding is so relatable. Everybody can do it on their own level. You can make some beautiful turns or send it on big cliffs. It‘s about connecting with the board and nature – Just being in the moment.

It sounds like you’re on a different path now. But it’s not just you. I guess the rest of the crew has opportunities with their sponsors for more international projects. Will Escape still produce movies in the future, or will it go more and more into events like Closing Cup?
As far as I know, we’ll take a break this year. So there is no new movie planned and everybody has been busy filming for other projects. But we still have the idea to get back together and put our energy into a movie again some day.
But at the moment I’m really motivated to take that energy and use it to bring people together with events like the Closing Cup. So we can bring people to the mountains and show them what you can experience here. 

I guess that this was the first time in a long time where you didn’t have a video project to work on. How did that feel?
This was actually one of my best seasons ever. Without the pressure of filming, my snowboarding had more room to breathe. And I think that everyone can take something from my experience. We don’t always have to be pushing super hard. If you leave a bit more space to be present, a new path will bloom. It’s been an important lesson for me to leave space for things to come naturally.
For me, an injury is always a message from my body that I should reflect on what I do and find a new way. I find that when I take time and go shredding for myself, it’s easy to reconnect with the kid in me. I realized that I don’t always need cameras or even a big crew. I’m also happy just building a side hit on my own, working on a trick and screaming my head off when I finally get it.

Sounds like you’re just as motivated as ever…
A lot of people have come to me asking if I still ride. But for me, it‘s great to be under the radar right now. I can still fully live my passions, with snowboarding and music. It’s not important to use what I do to build myself up as a public figure. For me, it‘s more important to inspire people and show them what they can do in the mountains.

How do you want to share that message with a broader audience?
Of course social media is a big channel to inform people. But you can’t fully experience a person’s vibe through socials. It’s still important to be on those channels, but I’d rather put more effort into building connections and community in real life.

I guess that brings us back to events like Closing Cup?
Yes, exactly. We’ll keep bringing people together and encouraging everyone to invite more people to come with them. It‘s about reaching a lot of people and introducing them to great vibes and good music! Our community can only get stronger when we bring more good people together!
Hosting an event is like having a room that we can decorate. We can help people feel at home and share the vibe. In the end, I’d like for the Closing Cup to feel like a big playground! Everybody does different things at their own spots. People are riding, dancing, drinking and having a good time… just like in a feel good movie. Everyone’s in their own world, but we’re all in the same playground!

That’s a great vision to end this on. Thanks for your time Elio, and thanks to the whole Escape crew, Vans and Laax for making events like this happen. Last shoutout goes to Thomas and Shannon for contributing photos and Jonas for making this interview happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of snowboarding is there?

There are three main types: powder, park, and freestyle. For fun and competition, freestylers can ride big mountain terrain parks; park riders love riding rails and jumping in alpine environments like ski resorts; and powder riders do tricks on fresh powder.

The most important thing is that the person knows how to do it. If you don't know how to do it, you shouldn't be trying it.

There are two types of snowboard binding systems. Step-in and strap bindings. Strap bindings, which are the most commonly used, offer flexibility and support to all riders. While step-in bindings are simpler to access and remove, they can't be used as often as strap bindings.

Snowboarders can choose between hard or soft boots. Hard boots are more stable and supportive than soft ones. Soft boots are lighter and softer, allowing for more maneuverability.

A snowboard is made from wood, plastic or carbon fibre. Some boards are made from a mixture of different materials. The shape of a board depends on its intended purpose. It can be used for carving, jumping, racing or cruising.

Carving can be done with one edge, which is usually a camber or concave curve. This allows rider to create tight turns. This is often used for rail jams and speed runs.

Cruising can take place on any type of terrain from moguls to packed snow. The twin-tip (symmetrical), cruisers allow for easy turning.

Freestyle and park boards are used for jumping. These boards have a nose- and tail that is slightly elevated. They allow riders to catch air.

Racing boards are built for speed and stability. They are usually made from a strong, durable material and have a long, narrow profile.

What are the Olympic snowboarding types?

Freestyle snowboarding is the most popular type of snowboarding. Snowboard cross is the third. Alpine snowboarding can be done on a mountainside course. Freestyle allows for tricks and jumps over obstacles. A snowboard cross race involves four riders racing down a course filled with jumps, banked twists, and other obstacles.

There are two types of snowboards: alpine and freestyle. Freestyle boards are shorter, and have a softer flex. This makes them great for tricks. Alpine boards are longer and have a stiffer flex, which is better for racing and carving. There are also all-mountainboards, which are a mixture of both.

What is the difference between an Burton and Salomon snowboard?

Burton is one of the most popular brands of snowboards, while Salomon is another well-known brand. Burton boards are often considered suitable for beginners, while more advanced riders favour Salomon boards. Salomon boards are more versatile than Burton boards, which tend to be more suited for freestyle riding.

Statistics

• " The same article said that most snowboarders are 18–24 years old and that women constitute 25% of participants.[34] (en.wikipedia.org)
• The most common types of injury are sprains, which account for around 40% of injuries. (en.wikipedia.org)
• There was a 10% increase over the previous season, accounting for more than 30% of all snow sports participants.[35] (en.wikipedia.org)
• The most common point of injury is the wrists – 40% of all snowboard injuries are to the wrists, and 24% of all snowboard injuries are wrist fractures. (en.wikipedia.org)
• In 1985, only seven percent of U.S. ski areas allowed snowboarding (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

[TAG137]

• Park City Mountain Resort

[TAG139]

• Alpine Skiing – News, Athletes Highlights & More


• Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics - Athletes, Medals & Results

[TAG142]

• Amazon.com : Dynafit FT Insulation Jack - Womens Lipstick, XL Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry


• Amazon.com Volcom Women’s Bolt Insulate Snowboard Ski Winter Hooded Jack: Clothing. Shoes.

How To

Safety Tips While Snowboarding

Safety is key when out on the slopes. It's easy for beginners to fall into trouble when snowboarding. You want to know how to keep safe snowboarding? Keep reading below!

Before you start your snowboarding journey, make sure that you are familiar with the basics. You should always wear a helmet, which goes double for beginners because they tend to fall off their boards much more than advanced riders. Also, make sure you are wearing the right clothing for the conditions. Pants and boots should be protected against sharp objects, such as sticks and rocks. A jacket and gloves could help you stay warm, too.

If you're new at riding, take a lesson from someone who knows what they're doing. This will help you learn proper techniques and prevent you from making mistakes that could hurt you. You can then go out on the slopes and ride your own skis once you feel confident. It is not something you want to do. To avoid these things happening, make sure that you pay attention to where you place your feet and hands.

Once you are able to ride well, you will likely want to keep practicing. You only have one chance to learn something before you can pass it on to others. Be sure to make a list and map of the area with your emergency contact numbers before you leave the house. This will help you locate your way home if it turns out you are having a bad day. You should also make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and water. Gatorade or Energy Bars nearby can provide you with the fuel you need for those long days on top.

Make a plan. Set goals for yourself and think about the things you want. Is it your goal to improve your skills? You might also want to spend time with family and friends. You should stick to what you have decided to do. If you don't, you will not see the results you desire. Keep in mind that you will never achieve perfection no matter how hard work. Don't worry if you make mistakes every now and again. Keep your head up, get over yourself, and keep trying until you succeed.

References:

Resources:

[TAG145] Usually the first mountain to open in Colorado

[TAG146] Sounds crazy!

[TAG147]   Read on for details on how to benefit from 15% off your Portes du Soleil ski passes for winter 2023/2024, valid on lift passes purchased in Morzine, Les Gets,

[TAG148] Yikes!

[TAG149] LOL honestly

[TAG150] A word from Garrett Warnick and Iñaki Odriozola about epsidoe 3 of “Inyo and Worm’s Adventures”: As spring started to set in over Patagonia we decided to do a

[TAG151] Following a week of the coldest ever recorded temperatures in Nelson, BC, Garrett Warnick and Iñaki Odriozola decided it was time to go camping. The sun came

[TAG152] Very original concept

[TAG153] When two worlds merge

[TAG154] Love it

[TAG155] We love Milosport!

[TAG156] Fresh out of the Granite State comes Brandon Reis’s latest offbeat snowboarding video, “Mona”. It’s a lighthearted, artsy-fartsy edit filmed at and around his

[TAG157] There’s nothing quite like riding out in the backcountry, finding the perfect landing, building a beautiful jump and having a session on it with a good group

[TAG158] Boardslide Worldwide went to the Land of the Rising Sun and scored. “Arigato Bruh” features Austen Sweetin, Griffin Siebert, Matteo Soltane, and Cannon Cummins

[TAG159] As we witness a new chapter unfold in Canadian boarding, The North Face steps up to support a fresh wave of emerging talents, among them Maggie Crompton—a

[TAG160] The best breast cancer non-profit we know!

[TAG161] Did the groundhog see his shadow?

[TAG162] Ya hate to see this.

[TAG163] What can't she do!!!

[TAG164] Sounds too good to be true

[TAG165] Experience the fun of Toshiki Yamane's snowboarding journey through a unique compilation featuring his best moments from the last three seasons. Amidst the

[TAG166] It's a thing, people.

[TAG167] The kelce boys are tapped in

[TAG168] A team of 4 head into the Australian backcountry looking for the steepest terrain the Red Continent has to offer and challenging popular beliefs of what

[TAG169] Truly a contest to remember

[TAG170] Craig is part of the Nidecker crew! Craig had this to say “Extremely excited to join the Nidecker family and share a fun edit from two quick trips filming this

[TAG171] We have been fans of Jake Blauvelt here at Snowboard Canada for a very long time. Jake Blauvelt has made a career of snowboarding and built a life in the

[TAG172] People Like Us is a film that celebrates the existence of queer folks in non-urban environments and shows that healthy queer communities can flourish in small

[TAG173] With winter in full swing, we have selected a few items to make your time on the mountain a little easier. Featuring some of our top picks from brands like

[TAG174] Picking what to ride/wear to go up the mountain is always difficult, so we’ve made a gear guide for you. Wanna know what’s new and good for this season? Our

[TAG175] Small Utah Ski Resort Bounces Back After Devastating Fire

[TAG176] We loooove to see this.

[TAG177] The streets of Aspen?

[TAG178] Where we’re going, we don’t need snow… Well, hopefully that never becomes a reality, but if we don’t do something about global warming, anything’s a

[TAG179] The crew from Southeast AK is back again and we’re dropping The Outliers 2 next week exclusively on thesnowboardersjournal.com. In the meantime, check the

[TAG180]

SOMOS follows two snowboard mountaineers on a month long expedition as they travel through the shadows of the mountains deep in the Alaskan backcountry. A

[TAG181]

You’re in luck. “N3xt Year’s Board” just dropped. Our friends over at Salomon Snowboards identified a funny joke and committed to the bit all the way through

[TAG182]   MINT Snowboarding has awesome opportunity for an amazing person to join our office team. Working as a Bookings & Office Coordinator, we can guarantee never a

[TAG183] The post THE SUN CAME OUT – Burton Snowboards appeared first on Snowboard Canada Magazine

[TAG184] Here’s one you won’t want to miss: The Sun Came Out, a 15-minute film featuring some of the world’s best backcountry snowboarders. From smashing pillows in

[TAG185]   It’s time to start looking forward to next winter on the ski slopes in Morzine & the Portes du Soleil. Opening dates for the ski lifts have been released and

[TAG186]   Join us on the December snowboard camp and get out on the snow before anyone else this winter. The camp, based in Morzine-Avoriaz, is suitable for all level

[TAG187]     There are lots of different snowboard camps to suit different abilities and goals. Whether you want to build confidence, hit the park, or explore the

[TAG188]   Dates are out and the new accommodation is pimp! The MINT Snowboard Camps in Morzine / Avoriaz, winter 2022/2023, are set to be a hit. It’s time to book your

[TAG189]   Living in the mountains, we are only too aware of winter sports and tourism’s impact on our environment. So, a few years ago, we assessed what we could be

[TAG190]   This is a guide to help you take advantage of the best lift pass discounts and deals available in the Portes du Soleil for winter 2022/23. It covers

[TAG191] Your first snowboarding holiday is an unforgettable experience. But to make the most out of your snowboarding debut, you need to choose a suitable resort. The

[TAG192]     The TSA Shred Week is back!!! MINT Snowboarding will be running a large number of coaching workshops exclusively for TSA Week. And as ever there is FREE

[TAG193] Perfect Your Ride: Snowboard Gear Essentials

[TAG194] Street snowboarding is a demanding yet rewarding art, one that’s beautifully captured in K2 Snowboarding’s latest short film, orange things. The team made the

[TAG195] Stinky Bug presents, in order of appearance: Parker Szumowski, Blake Paul, Cannon Cummins, Mike Ravelson, Dan Liedahl, Benny Urban, Jake Kuzyk, Mike Bogs,

[TAG196] A word from our friends at K2 Snowboarding about their upcoming film, orange things: “The winter of 2022/2023 was absolutely incredible in Salt Lake City, Utah

[TAG197] A word from our friend Matthew Bruhns about his video, Powder Souls: Powder Souls is a short film featuring Timmy Taussig and friends in search of that elusive

[TAG198] Find out which of the “challenger” riders including: gold medalists Jamie Anderson and Red Gerard; Europeans Arthur Longo, Kevin Backstrom, Victor Daviet and

[TAG199] Join Alex Yoder as he makes a joyous return to his second home, Hokkaido, Japan, to reunite with his second family, the Gentemstick team. After several years

[TAG200] A word from our friends at Salomon Snowboards about the video: An intergenerational exploration of Japan in search of rhythm, flow, and incredibly deep snow.

[TAG201] A word from our friends over at Korua Shapes about their new video, Neon Noir:  Last winter we made our way back to Japan for the first time since Covid, with

[TAG202] Buy it here: Amplid: https://bit.ly/3otfIF9 Comparable Boards: K2 Niseko Pleasures: https://bit.ly/3Ru4EqX Nitro Dropout:

[TAG203] A bombshell story from a purported Secret Service agent claims his office is helping Zelensky relocate to the U.S. where he'll be given protection, a personal

[TAG204] Honest ski resort reviews from a local. With over 500 days riding in Utah, we're reviewing Brighton Mountain Resort! How does it compare to the other 14

[TAG205] Mind Warehouse ► https://goo.gl/aeW8Sk 1) DYNELLO® Fastwinder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUWSn0LHeXU

[TAG206] Break into the snowboarding event of the year in the hope of scoring a wildcard entry to an exclusive invitational. To prove you’re up to the challenge, master

[TAG207] Connect With Dave and Damon On VERO! Download The App Now! https://vero.co/dailydrivenexotics https://vero.co/dave_dde

[TAG208] What makes a skatepark truly legendary? After all, we are living through the second golden era of the skatepark, with new designs and world-firsts popping up

[TAG209] We learn from our mistakes. Thank you for your support. Get your Adventured merch here: https://adventured.com https://funt.com

[TAG210] Merch: https://animebae.co/collections/dashiexp-x-animebae The crew: @CaRtOoNz @H2ODelirious @DeadSquirrel Join the secret club! (become a member!)

[TAG211] A movie so nice it's been taken down twice. Here it is again, A team movie celebrating all the wonderful losers out there and all the people chasing their

[TAG212] A word from the creator of the film, Alex Rupp: In the Spring of 2022, Brian and I spent a couple of weeks in the remote Olympic Mountain Range, located on the

[TAG213] Snowboarding around Yellowstone National Park? Yep, just as beautiful as you’d expect. Just be sure to give the wildlife plenty of space. Join the Chimera

[TAG214] Picking what to ride/wear to go up the mountain is always difficult, so we’ve made a gear guide for you. Wanna know what’s new and good for this season? Our

[TAG215] Words by Edwin Poulston Where the BUCKHUNTERS all began: I was graduating in the fall of 2009 and was at a grad party where Mike and Kyle Stainton held an

[TAG216] The post BUCKTOUR appeared first on Snowboard Canada Magazine

[TAG217] The post SLACKERS appeared first on Snowboard Canada Magazine

[TAG218] As we head into the new season, its a perfect time to check out the new lineup from Zeal optics – Some of our personal favourites in the game, the goggle

[TAG219] Ever wanted to ride above city lights with a rope tow and breathtaking views? Now you can for an insane deal – Enjoy unlimited night skiing or snowboarding

[TAG220] Featuring the snowboarding of Austin Vizz, Toni Kerkela, Phil Hansen and Pat Fava. Cameos from Zeb Powell, Joey Fava, Bode Merrill, Chris Bradshaw and Scott

[TAG221] Captured deep in the backcountry and kept under wraps until now, see what happens when a dozen top riders including Rice, Hight, Paul, Elston and Fasani are

[TAG222] Choose the Perfect Snowboard & Snowboard Size Chart

[TAG223] How to Choose the Perfect Snowboard & Snowboard Size Chart

[TAG224] The Ultimate Guide to Grasping Snowboard Width, Flex, and Sidecut

[TAG225] Captured deep in the backcountry and kept under wraps until now, see what happens when a dozen top riders including Rice, Hight, Paul, Elston and Fasani are

[TAG226] What is the Ideal Length and Width for Your Snowboard?

[TAG227] A Deep Dive into Kemper Snowboards' 2023 Models

[TAG228] Snowboard Equipment Checklist 2023: Gear Up for an Epic Ride

[TAG229] Decoding the Slopes: How to Choose a Snowboard for Your Ultimate Ride

[TAG230] Crack the Code: A Comprehensive Snowboard Sizing Chart Guide for Your Perfect Ride

[TAG231] Your Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Snowboard Gear

[TAG232] Unveiling the Best Snowboard Gear: In-Depth Snowboard Gear Reviews for Winter Enthusiasts

[TAG233] Carving Excellence: The Best Snowboard Brands of 2023 for Your Ultimate Ride

[TAG234] Strap In with Precision: Your Comprehensive Snowboard Binding Sizing Guide

[TAG235] Unleash Your Style: A Guide to the Best Freestyle Snowboard Bindings for 2023

[TAG236] Beyond the Slopes: Navigating the Best Backcountry Snowboard Bindings for 2023

[TAG237] Strap-In or Step-On: Decoding Snowboard Bindings for Your Best Ride

[TAG238] Strap In with Style: Unveiling the Best Women's Snowboard Bindings of 2023

[TAG239] Ride Smooth, Ride Long: Essential Snowboard Binding Maintenance Tips for Peak Performance

[TAG240] Your Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Perfect Snowboard Gear

[TAG241] Mastering the Slopes: A Snowboard Tricks Tutorial for Aspiring Riders

[TAG242] M3thaverse:M3thaverse, A combination of Snowboarding and Art premiered in Vancouver at Fortune Night club, Thank you G-Mann for the hospitality as always!The

[TAG243] Find out about Snowboard, including Snowboard videos, images, interviews with Olympic champions and athletes. Learn about the rules and guidelines.