Halfpipe Athletes Flock to Familiar Ground at Copper Mountain

Professional halfpipe freeskiers and snowboarders live lifestyles some would consider crazy. Whether it’s traveling the world year-round chasing snow, finding new and exciting ways to soar off of 22-foot walls of ice for a chance at victory, or maybe earning an education in a non-traditional way, it becomes difficult to find familiar territory and a sense of community.

In the 10 years that Copper Mountain and U.S. Ski & Snowboard have collaborated to host multiple events, including the Paul Mitchell Progression Sessions, FIS World Cups, and Olympic Qualifiers, one thing has remained constant and that is a clear sense of community. It’s undoubtedly contagious throughout the resort and the competition venues. This sense of belonging manifests itself in a variety of ways. Whether through the whole field of international athletes cheering each other on during training, joking around in the finish corral, or supporting each other’s progression throughout the week, everyone is simply happy to be where they are at that given moment. If you follow freeskiing and snowboarding, you will notice elements of this communal vibe throughout the season, but there is something different and special about the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix event at Copper Mountain.

“The Copper Grand Prix is different because it’s the first event of the season and everyone is getting acclimated to being on snow again,” said PyeongChang Olympic bronze medalist Arielle Gold (Steamboat Springs, Colo.). “It’s always that much more exciting to be part of, primarily because it’s usually the first time people in the industry are getting to see each other since last season. It’s especially fun seeing my international friends who I don’t often see during the summer, I love getting the chance to catch up with them.”

Sochi Olympic gold medalist Maddie Bowman (S. Lake Tahoe, Calif.) also is looking forward to spending time at Copper Mountain this December.

“It’s great to catch up with everyone and see all the excitement for the season,” says Bowman. “Copper feels like home so it makes it easier to get back into the flow of things.”

This unique sense of community creates a platform for world-class competition come game time. It may be smiles and high fives throughout arrival and training, but from the drop in to the finish corral, it’s all business. The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain will kick off the 23rd year of the Grand Prix with four back-to-back days of international freeski and snowboard competition in the resort’s 22-foot superpipe Dec. 5-8. Don’t miss your chance to see the excitement unfold with some of U.S. Ski & Snowboards biggest stars. See how to be part of the action as it unfolds below.

TOYOTA U.S. GRAND PRIX - COPPER MOUNTAIN
Event Schedule
*subject to change

Dec. 6: Freeski Halfpipe qualifications
Dec. 7: Snowboard Halfpipe qualifications
Dec. 8: Freeski Halfpipe Finals
Dec. 9: Snowboard Halfpipe Finals

HOW TO WATCH
*All Times EST

FREESKI
December 7, 2018
1:00 p.m. - U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe, Copper Mountain - NBC Sports - Live

December 8
4:30 p.m. - U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe, Copper Mountain - NBC - Next-day broadcast

SNOWBOARD
December 8, 2018
1:00 p.m. - U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe, Copper Mountain - NBC Sports - Live

December 9
12:30 p.m. - U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe, Copper Mountain - NBC - Next-day broadcast