Sunshine, hard-fought contests and relaxed park action is the best way to sum up the 27th Kaunertal Opening!

Last weekend the Snowpark Kaunertal officially started into the new winter season with testival, contests, side events and parties and truly stoked out thousands of snow-addicts, jibbers and party animals.

With blue skies and sunshine the Kaunteral welcomed its visitors already on Friday for the opening of the Snowpark and the start of the winter season 2012/2013. Weather conditions over the previous days resulted in an unexpected challenge for the Snowpark-team, which was handled with many nightshifts and heaps of working hours. They succeeded in putting up a small but very fine park with rails, boxes and a kicker, which was pretty entertaining over the 3 opening days.

The true highlight of the weekend was the KTO Pro Contest on Saturday, where snowboarders were batteling for a total of 7,000 USD prize money.

The first ranks in the snowboard divison were quite tight, as expected, and last year’s winner Eric Beauchemin (US) was challenged by riders like Jamie Nicholls (GB) and Nuutti Niemelä (FIN). For sure the judges had a hard time to award this fat lump of prize money, but finally it was again Eric Beauchemin who took the shot followed by David Loibl (AUT) and Ryan Hryckiewicz (US). 15-year-old Rowan Coultas (GB) won the best rookie award. Elena Koenz (CH) crushed the girls event, leaving rank 2 and 3 for her competitors Anna Gasser (AUT) and Birgit Rofner (AUT) dominated the snowboard ladies division.

Of course, the pro contest wasn’t the only highlight for the shredders. Friday was full of rail action presented by downdays.eu and Snowboarder MBM at the glacier restaurant, where fame and honour was rewarded by countless soft and hardgoods provided by all testival partners. The overall winner was snowboarder Klaus Lotto.

New this year was the KTO Photo competition powered by Sweet Protection, which awarded the best pics of the Kaunertal Opening with a complete Sweet Protection outfit.

The ams also got their fair share of action on Sunday, where they had the chance to share the same battlefield as the pros on Saturday. The amateur snowboarders causes the judges some headaches, but finally results placed Thomas Wolf (A) in first position, followed by Benno Postert from Germany and the Austrian Dominik Metzler.

Over 35 brands were also part of the game: everything from boots to boards to goggles to protection was explained and handed out to the shredders for serious testing. No questions left on what equipment to use for the next winter.

On Friday and Saturday evening an action-loaded program on the mountain was completed by a banging party in the valley. On Friday night loads of party animals celebrated until early morning with Golden Reef, AG Trio and DJ Dan in the party tent in Feichten. Lipstick Productions and Junkies on a Budget also presented their latest movies. More sick riding action was shown on Saturday by the Pirate Movie Production and Legs of Steel, before the party marathon peaked with quality tunes presented by Yambalaya and the Wax Wreckaz and of course the main act Mono & Nikitaman.

All in all a pretty successful KTO Opening 2012 that only could be commented by Stefan Richter from the Kaunertal Glacier with the following: “With the current snow situation we have succeeded to built a perfect park set-up for the KTO. The weather forecast predicts plenty of snow for the coming days so we will be able to open the big snow park next weekend.”

As always, the show must go on, so save the date for the obligatory must attend happening of the 28. KTO 2013 from 11th to 13th October next year.

Action-packed season start at the 27th Kaunertal Opening kicks off next week. Peep the deets.

Next week thousands of shredders will take over the small village of Feichten in Kaunertal for the 27th time and welcome the new winter season 2012/13 with a big bang from October 12th – 14th.

Next Friday the long months of waiting are finally over and the Snowpark Kaunertal invites shredders to officially start into the new season. A broad action programme on the mountain accompanies the happening as well as hot live acts at the party tent in Feichten.

Julia Baumgartner

CONTESTS & OPEN PARK ON ALL 3 DAYS The program on the mountain holds something for everyone – on Friday it’s the jibbers turn to show their skills at the rail session presented by downdays.eu & Snowboarder MBM on the rail directly at the glacier restaurant. Saturday’s highlight will be the pro contest which holds a prize money of total USD 7.000. So not only “being part of it” will be the day’s slogan when nice pocket money is up for grabs at the beginning of the contest season. To not only give nominated riders a chance to compete in the pro contest we have saved 2 starting spots for wildcard winners. To grab one of those wildcards, people have to post an action shot of themselves on the Snowpark Kaunertal Facebook wall and motivate their friends to like the pic .. those snowboard pictures with the most likes until Tuesday October 09th 1 pm are the lucky winners to battle the Pros. More information about the wildcards on: www.snowpark-kaunertal.com and www.facebook.com/snowparkkaunertal.

Test site

On Sunday the contest action continues when all motivated riders have the possibility to show their skills at the amateur contest. They will ride on the same line as the pros – so exciting tricks for the audience are guaranteed.

Good news for all those, who don’t care much for a contest – there will be a separate contest park so the main park will be open for everyone during all 3 days and has a whole bunch of different obstacles for all riding levels to offer. Amongst others there will be 2 medium kickers that can be combined with diverse rails and boxes in one run. In the long jib line obstacles like downpipes, one straight rail, one kinked rail, one straight box and many other fun options can be used in various ways.

Partyzeit.

3 DAYS FOR FREE MATERIAL TESTING Numerous freeski and snowboard companies will bring their latest products to the testival at the KTO and give everyone a chance to test boards, skis, poles, protection and much more on all 3 days for free. So for everyone who is not sure yet what to buy will definitely be after the KTO. So you’d better take the chance to find your perfect winter.

LIVE ACTS & MOVIE PREMIERES The action continues in the evenings with the newest movies from the freeski and snowboards scene and great live bands! On Friday night you can expect hand-made guitar music by Golden Reef, dirty electro-house from Austrian AG Trio as well as sophisticated mixes from DJ Dan (Texta). Riding inspiration for the next day will come from the ladies from Lipstick Productions and the guys from Junkies on a Budget.

Saturday night promises not less noise and party when Yambalaya enter the stage and no other than Mono & Nikitaman take over with their raggae songs and ragga-dancehall beats. It’s the Wax Wreckaz privilege to close the night with their unique mixes of raggae, hip hop and electro. Movie-wise Legs of Steel and the Pirate Movie Productions will show their newest flick of their travels from last season.

Find more information about the program and news on: www.snowpark-kaunertal.com and www.facebook.com/snowparkkaunertal

The Kaunertal glacier team and partners are looking forward to a fulminant kick-off to the season 12/13 with the legendary Kaunertal Opening!

When the days are getting shorter and the mountaintops are covered in snow the anticipation for the upcoming winter is becoming extremely high. As is the case in the Snowpark Kaunertal, where the preparations for an awesome start are already in heavy progress.

The program on the mountain holds something for everyone – on Friday it’s the jibbers turn to show their skills at the rail session presented by downdays.eu on the rail directly at the glacier restaurant. The next day a prize money of USD 7.000,– is waiting for those who rule the pro contest …let’s see if Roy Kittler is in for a “triple” after winning the freeski contest in 2010 and 2011. On Sunday more excitement is guaranteed when the shredders fight for the top positions in the amateur contest, which is open for all motivated riders.

Good news for all those, who don’t care much for a contest – there will be a separate contest park so the main park will be open for everyone during all 3 days and has a whole bunch of different obstacles for all riding levels to offer. Amongst others there will be 2 medium kickers that can be combined with diverse rails and boxes in one run. In the long jib line obstacles like downpipes, one straight rail, one kinked rail, one straight box and many other fun options can be used in various ways.

Numerous freeski and snowboard companies will bring their latest products to the testival at the KTO and give everyone a chance to test boards, skis, poles, protection and much more on all 3 days for free. So for everyone who is not sure yet what to buy will definitely be after the KTO. So you’d better take the chance to find your perfect winter.

The action continues in the evenings with the newest movies from the freeski and snowboards scene and great live bands! On Friday night you can expect hand-made guitar music by Golden Reef, dirty electro-house from Austrian

AG Trio as well as sophisticated mixes from DJ Dan (Texta).

Riding inspiration for the next day will come from the ladies from Lipstick Productions and the guys from Junkies on a Budget.

Saturday night promises not less noise and party when Yambalaya enter the stage and no other than Mono & Nikitaman take over with their raggae songs and ragga-dancehall beats. It’s the Wax Wreckaz privilege to close the night with their unique mixes of raggae, hip hop and electro. Movie-wise Legs of Steel and the Pirate Movie Productions will show their newest flick of their travels from last season.

All 3 Days:

09:00 – 16:00 Back from summer riding and Open Park Session

09:00 – 16:00 Testcenter & Sideevents on the glacier car park

09:00 – 16:00 DJ Badspin spinning the wheel on the glacier car park

FRIDAY, 12.10.2012
14.00 – 16.00 RAIL SESSION presented by downdays

20.00 – 04.00 RIDERS NIGHT, party tent Kaunertal with DJ DAN (TEXTA),
———GOLDEN REEF and AG TRIO. Movie premiers
 „EUROTIC“ by Lipstic Productions and “JOB – In Space” by Junkies on a Budget

SATURDAY, 13.10.2012

09.00 – 11.45 Training  & Contest Freeski*
11.45 – 14.30 Training  & Contest Snowboard*
14.00 – 14.45 skiing Micro-Shred*
15.00 – 15.15 Prize-giving*

20.00 – 04.00 RIDERS NIGHT at the party tent Kaunertal with WAX WRECKAZ, ——YAMBALAYA and MONO & NIKITAMAN. Movie premiers
„HURTS SO GOOD“ by Legs of Steel and „UNIQUE8“
by Pirate Movie Production

SUNDAY, 14.10.2012

11.00 – 14.00 Amateur Contest*
14.30 – 14.45 Prize giving at the glacier car park*


*……….changes in the contest program are possible – keep yourself informed!

Eric Beauchemin, photo: Rudi Wyhlidal

In the last three days thousands of snow park addicts came to the Kaunertal and celebrated the start into the new park season. The theme of this weekend was „shred, test and party till dawn“.

Fresh snow, clear blue sky and three days of sunshine accompanied the visitors through an unforgettable opening – perfect conditions to start the season in the Snowpark Kaunertal with lots of action. The open park and the contest line were perfectly shaped, which was great for the riders to show their best tricks and jumps. The pros and amateurs battled in the contests on the kicker line, equipped with a canon box and a pipe, which guaranteed also jib-fun.

The KTO 2011 Testival. Photo: Florian Trattner

But not only the snow park was full of action. The testival area with 50 brands held out against the big run and people tested their gear three days long. For sure everyone found his or her shred-gear for this winter season in the end. The rail at the glacier restaurant was a magnet for all jibbers who showed their best tricks in relaxed sessions and also the K2 snowboard „pop this!“-tour stopped on the youngest glacier of Tyrol. At this highest-ollie-contest the riders demonstrated their jumping skills.

„There could not have been any better snow and weather conditions than at this year´s 26th Kaunertal Opening. For the first time at a Kaunertal Opening the mini shred snow park was open for everyone. That is one reason why we could see lots of happy faces, which had jib-fun in the sun. The perfectly shaped snow park is now officially open and welcomes the park shredders”, says the marketing manager of the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen, Stefan Richter.

Julia Baumgartner. Photo: Rudi Wyhlidal

CONTEST RESULTS

PRO CONTEST
On Saturday numerous well-known snowboard pros entertained the crowd and the organizers guaranteed a perfect setting and also a smooth running order. This gave the pros the best conditions to show their best performances, which gave the judges a hard time for their decision-making. American snowboarder Eric Beauchemin convinced the judges with a „cab 9 und BS rodeo 7 nosegrab“ and won the prize money.

1st man – Eric Beauchemin (USA)
2nd man
- Dani Mösl (A)
3rd man
- Chris Schaidreiter (A)

1st woman
- Julia Baumgartner (A)

Best Rookie – Philipp Kuntraditz (A)

Prizegiving. Photo: Rudi Wyhlidal

AMATEUR CONTEST
Also the amateurs battled hard for their ranks and showed their tricks in the same set-up. The winners were rewarded with cool product prizes from the testival partners and the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen.

Snowboard:
1st man – David Loibl (A)
2nd man
- Roman Dlauhy (CZ)
3rd man
- Stefan Karl (CH)

1st woman
- Melina Merkhoffer

Best Rookie – Dominik Metzler (A)

BUFF RAIL SESSION presented by ONBOARD
Already on Friday the program started with the legendary rail session at the glacier restaurant Weisssee. In middle of a huge crowd. Steve Grumser was awarded with the „best overall“ in the snowboarders field.

PARTY
After grandiose days on the mountain numerous party addicts celebrated in the party tent in Feichten. On Friday IBK Tribe, Bilderbuch and Chrisfader & Testa kept the crowd dancing all night long. In addition M.O.G. Production and Aestivation Entertainment showed their latest movies. On Saturday evening the Pirate Movie Production and Legs Of Steel presented their newest flicks before Nosliw and Afrob, D-Flame & DJ Dynamite and the Wax Wreckaz rocked the tent and continued the party marathon.

PREVIEW – KTO 2012
After this awesome opening weekend we are already looking forward to next year’s 27th Kaunertal Opening from 10th to 12th October 2012.

The KTO 2011 Party. Photo: Florian Trattner

Photo: Daniel Zangerl

Last weekend, the Kaunertal Opening celebrated its 25th anniversary with more than 10,000 snow fanatics, who pilgrimaged to the Tyrolian glacier to enjoy the first shred, try out new gear and witness some great action during the contest on Saturday.

Although it started with blue skies and bright sunshine on Friday, Oct 15th, the weather gods didn’t seem to know about the special occasion and got a bit careless over the rest of the weekend.

Peter König - photo: Christoph Schöch

The shape crew on the other hand was very careful and got the park into amazing shape, with many new obstacles in the minishred park and two big kickers. The Air2Bag invited all riders to try out new tricks and the rail at the glacier restaurant was the perfect spot for the jibbers to show their skills.

In the big testival area more than 30 companies with about 50 brands were offering everything a snowboarder’s heart could ask for – so all in all once more a successful Opening 2010.

Photo: Christoph Schöch

Getting everyone in the right mood, the Railsession presented by Gloryfy, downdays.eu, Grounded Freestyle already brought some some tasty jibbery to the little set up in front of the glacier restaurant Weisssee. From the US$ 650 prize purse, Daniel Rajcsanyi took a big part thanks to the skills that won him the snowboard category.

Another highlight of the KTO 2010 was without doubt the contest that had USD 7.000,– up for grabs. Throwing FS 720 Rodeos, Switch BS 5s, and BS 180 combos on the rails, it were the Austrians Peter König (Best Man Overall), Sarah Jane Phillips (Best Woman Overall) and Stefan Spiss (Best Rookie), who impressed the most, alongside Thomas Codebella (CH) who earned best line and Patrick Cinca (D) with best trick. But also the amateurs splashed out and Stefan Küberl (A), David Loibl (A) and Christian Kirsch (A) went home with some nicely stuffed goodie bags, just like Stefanie Piron (D) and Janine Barbisch (CH).

Photo: Daniel Zangerl

As usual the partying didn’t fall short in Feichten either and Suisse hip hop formation Liricas Analas, Austrian shooting star Skero, Austrian reggae band Iriepathie and Jeans Team from Berlin as well as DJ Suivez and the Wax Wreckaz ensured the crowd got the right tunes to rock the valley.

For more details check kaunertal-opening.at

The infamous Austrian season opening is gearing up to rock out on its 25th anniversary.

This Friday, October 15th, the Kaunertal glacier will celebrate its 25th opening and welcome shredders to the snowpark opening and the start of the winter season 2010/2011. Well-known pro riders have already confirmed their attendance at the contest and the snow park, testival area, parties and concerts will offer full-on fun for three days in a row.

Top riders confirmed

Also in 2010 we are happy to have already confirmed many pro riders, who will be taking part in the BIG PARK minishred Pro Contest and fight for USD 7.000 purse. The 10 ‘Lucky Ones’ in the snowboard contest, who were chosen from the amateur contest registration, can get ready for a heavy fight.

Watch out for the Pirate Gerome Matthieu who is also last year’s winner overall and very eager to take home the prize money once more. Some other top names, however, will try prevent that happening and with Peter König, Alessandro Boyens, Benny Deeg, Mario Wanger and KTO best rookie 2009 Tor Lundström in the starting field we can be looking forward to an exciting contest. Conny Bleicher and Tini Gruber will be competing too – there’s gonna be no easy rides in the girls’ category either.

Park info!

There is also some good news about the snowpark. All season long the fresh set-up is going to provide the perfect ride with two jib lines and a kicker line. While the mini shred comes up with tons of playful jib options and two new butter boxes, the big obstacle line is going to score with a brand-new double kinked rail and another up-down combination for a playground with thirty obstacles on the whole and fun guaranteed. Two innovative “surprise obstacles” will complete the park pleasure for the Kaunertal Opening. Beside the new facebook site www.facebook.com/snowparkkaunertal the new website www.snowpark-kaunertal.com will go online in October with movies, photo gallery, news and much more about the snowpark.

Side events at KTO!

In the testival area more than 30 companies with nearly 50 brands will be giving you the chance to test their brand new stuff for 2010/11. Besides that there will be the Rail Session presented by Gloryfy, downdays.eu and Grounded Freestyle on Friday at the Gletscherrestaurant Weisssee. The rail will stay there for the remaining weekend and be ready for everyone to jibb. The guys from Air2Bag by Air(Bag)Patrol will be ready at your disposal for jumping their colossal airbag and a less risky training on Saturday and Sunday.

Full information on: www.kaunertal-opening.at

For an unbelievable 25th time in a row the Kaunertal glacier is again inviting to the snowpark opening and the start of the winter season 2010/2011. Thousands of snowboarders who are hungry for snow, will be coming to the Kaunertal to celebrate together the 25th Kaunertal Opening.

Snowboard action

One main element of the Kaunertal Opening and center of attraction for many snowboarders will again be the BIG PARK mini shred Pro Contest on Saturday. Prize money of US$ 7.000 will be waiting for the winners and draw lots of pros to the Kaunertal again. Also the amateurs will get a chance to show their skills to the crowd at the mini shred Amateur Contest on Sunday.

Another highlight for the amateurs will be that every person registered for the mini shred Amateur Contest on Sunday gets a chance to take part in the lottery for the ‘Lucky One’s’, who can take part at the pro contest on Saturday and fight the pros.

Find all details regarding contest formats, registration, scoring & judging on: www.kaunertal-opening.at

The snowpark at the glacier shows off just in time for the Kaunertal Opening. The fresh set-up with two jib lines and a kicker line are at your disposal for a perfect ride during the new season. Meanwhile the mini shred rocks with a lot of fun jib options as well as two brand-new butterboxes beside the big obstacle line with a new kinked rail and an up-down combination for a playground that will let everybody’s heart beat faster. Those who love long park rides can directly drop from the jib line to the kicker line. The new website www.snowpark-kaunertal.com will keep you up-to-date with all news, background info about events, pictures and a weekly video series, which documents the daily park life. Daily updates can also be found on the brand-new Facebook page.

Another highlight this year will be the Rail Session presented by Gloryfy, downdays and Grounded Freestyle, which will go down at the glacier restaurant Weißsee. The session’s relaxing format will provide for a fun and exciting Friday afternoon. The rail will stay at the glacier restaurant Weißsee for the remaining weekend and be ready for everyone to jib. Registration for the Rail Session on Friday, October 15th, from 09.00 till 11.00 o’clock at the glacier’s car park.

And there’s also something new for all those riders who always wanted to learn new tricks or try impossible jumps: the AIR2BAG by AIR(BAG)PATROL. It enables a less risky training for beginners and professional jump-addicts. The guys from AIR(BAG)PATROL will be at the KTO on Saturday and Sunday from 9am til 4pm.

More than 45 brands will be waiting at the testival area for all snowboarders who have not yet found their perfect equipment for the upcoming winter season. After three days of testing the brand new products everyone should have found his or her shred-gear for the season.

Concerts, movies & parties

Friday and Saturday evening are again focused on movie premiers, DJ sound and live acts! Look forward to the electro formation JEANS TEAM from Berlin as well as some nice ‘Kabinenparty’ with SKERO. Also expect hot performances from IRIEPATHIE and LIRICAS ANALAS! Friday’s DJ Sound will be coming from DJ SUIVEZ (Liricas Analas) and Saturday the renowed WAX WRECKAZ will tune in! To keep up and even enhance your motivation to shred, they will also be showing the latest Pirate Productions’ movie Hooked and Mog Productions’ Mog’ n Roll.

The Kaunertal Opening team is looking forward to seeing you in October and welcoming you to a bombastic beginning of the season 10/11 with the legendary Kaunertal Opening.