HOTZONE OPENING – HINTERTUX HIGHLIGHTS
The snowboard community celebrated the kick-off of the new season at last weekend’s 14th Hotzone.tv Park Opening in Hintertux (Oct. 4th – 7th, 2018), the very first snow park Opening in Europe. Fresh snow just in time for the event, a Betterpark HIntertux. The event presented itself in the best light with the popular snowboard test and a very fine party program, atracting lots of snowboard enthusiasts to join. A perfectly prepared Betterpark Hintertux welcomed all the riders from all across Europe under blue skies. What a dream! We really need to congratulate the organization for setting up a perfect event and the Betterpark crew for all the extra shaping hours they put into preparing the park the day before the opening. After a stormy day with fresh snow, the crew had to put some extra work into it. And the result was excelent!
Day by day recap
THURSDAY 4th
Bluebird and a perfect park, big smiles and good times! This sumed up the first day on the mountain for most riders. The local hero Werni Stock sumed it up like this: «I am obviously a regular at the event and in my opinion this was the best first day we ever had at the Opening. The park was amazing despite the lack of snow until recently. An epic crew of riders having fun and showing sick riding, what more can we ask for at the beginning of the season?» So what else could have we asked for?
FRIDAY 5th
The sun welcomed riders also for the 2nd day of the Hotzone.tv Park Opening in Hintertux. The official winter season kick-off in Austria! International riders coming from different countries such as Marko Grilo (SLO), Roope Tonteri (FIN), Rowan Coultas (UK), Leon Vockensperger (GER), Sarka Pancochova (CZE) and all the Zillertal locals like Werni Stock or Steve Gruber.
«The session of the dudes» was held on Friday: high level and stylish technical tricks. All the riders really enjoyed hitting the perfectly prepared Pro Jump. The three winners were:
Best Overall Rider: Roope Tonteri (FIN)
Best Rookie: Leon Vockensperger (GER)
Best Trick: Werni Stock (AUT)
At the bottom of the Glacier, we had the first day to test the latest gear from the united snowboard industry. Test before you buy!
SATURDAY 6th
The 3rd day of the Hotzone.tv Park Opening went down on Saturday. The clouds didn’t had an impact on the good vibes on the mountain. Kids had fun getting coached by the legends Steve Gruber and Marko Grilc (SLO) at the «Kids Shred“ session, while the grown-ups tried to master the «Alarmclock“ feature with their most creative tricks. The test area was busy all day long with snowboarders making the best use of the opportunity to test boards from all the represented brands in Betterpark Hintertux. The «After Shred Session“ entertained the crowd after the mountain with lots of fun activities while waiting for the prize-giving.
SUNDAY 7th
The Hotzone.tv Park Opening in Hintertux came to an end with another action day despite the rain. After the big party last night, riders hit the slopes one more time for the «Transform Cash for Trix» jib session taking place a little bit above the test area (Tuxer Fernerhaus). Loads of good riders joined for the chance to win some pocket money; Fabian Fraidl (AUT), Jacco Bos (NDL) and Zoltán Strcula (SLK) were among those who stood out of the crowd.
BOARDS, BOOTS, BINDINGS FROM 30 SNOWBOARD BRANDS
Year after year not only a perfectly prepared Betterpark Hintertux is ready, but also the test center which is set up for four days up on Hintertux glacier. Nearly 30 brands of the snowboard industry present their latest gear for free testing at the tent village at Tuxer Fernerhaus. The broad offering of boards, boots and bindings from the current collections was an invitation to try something new and to hit the slopes or the park. From the youngest shredder, the teenager to curious winter sportspeople – all of them enjoyed the friendly service, tips and tricks or an expert talk in relaxed atmosphere. The joy about the new season kicking off was present all over the test area.
PARTIES
Not only the mountain, also the valley was in the spotlight with an extensive party program. Hintertux and Lanersbach were going crazy all weekend long with parties at the Kleine Tenne in Lanersbach and Hohenhaus Tenne Hintertux. The Video Night at the Tux Center stirred up the anticipation of powder-runs and winter in general. Many riders showed up to watch season edits and some of the latest movie productions, among them Wolle Nyvelt’s and Andreas Monsberger’s new movie “Sparks”, which was celebrating its world premiere.
This was the 14th Hotzone.tv Park Opening Hintertux: Best atmosphere and vibes combined with passion for Snowboarding – that’s how the past weekend can be summarized. Fascination for Snowboarding united all participants, from riders, media, industry members, snowboard fans to winter sportspeople. Mark the first October 2019 weekend (Oct. 3rd – 6h, 2019) in your calendar already. The Hotzone.tv Park Opening will celebrate its 15th anniversary and surely some surprises can be expected!
All images photo credit @monepic.at
FULL RECAP OF THE EVENT HERE !!
