U.S. Freeski and U.S. Snowboard Team athletes are fired up to kick off the FIS World Cup season at the Chur, Switzerland, Big Air Friday and Saturday nights.

“I am ready for this weekend,” said U.S. Snowboard Team athlete Chris Corning, who has eight career World Cup big air podiums, including three victories. “This has been the most riding I have had going into the first scaffolding big air of pretty much any season.”

Corning and a number of his U.S. Snowboard and U.S. Freeski teammates have enjoyed quality on-snow time this summer at Mount Hood, Ore., Mammoth, Calif., Copper Mountain, Colo., and Saas-Fee, Switzerland, to dial in tricks new and old. Toss in some off-snow training, including dirt-biking, and Corning is ready to lead a strong contingent of U.S. athletes into the first scaffolding big air event of the season.

“I have been working on tricks I don’t do as much and getting all my old tricks back,” the 2018 overall World Cup snowboard champion added. “I am happy with how the training has gone up to this point.”

U.S. Snowboard Team athletes joining Corning this weekend are Ty Schnorrbusch, Courtney Rummel, Brock Crouch, Kyle Mack, and Judd Henkes. Ski and Snowboard Club Vail athlete Hahna Norman will make her World Cup debut this weekend in Chur.

For the U.S. Freeski Team, six-time big air podium finisher, and two-time World Cup big air winner Alex Hall will be on the “one to watch” list this weekend. He’ll be joined by U.S. Freeski Teammates Hunter Henderson, Cody Laplante, Mac Forehand, and Marin Hamill.

Both Friday’s freeski big air finals and Saturday’s snowboard big air finals will stream live on NBC”s Peacock platform. The Olympic Channel - Home of Team USA - will also broadcast both finals live. Following this weekend’s event, the FIS snowboard and freeski World Cup season will roll into Colorado with Visa Big Air presented by Toyota, Dec. 4 in Steamboat; and the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, Dec. 10-11.

HOW TO WATCH 
All times EDT

Friday, Oct.22
12:00 p.m. FIS Freeski World Cup Men and Women’s Big Air, LIVE, Chur, SUI, Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Freeski World Cup Men and Women’s Big Air, LIVE, Chur, SUI, Broadcast Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA

Saturday, Oct. 23
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard World Cup Men and Women’s Big Air, LIVE, Chur, SUI, Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard World Cup Men and Women’s Big Air, LIVE, Chur, SUI, Broadcast Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA

Winhall, Vermont was a busy place this past Saturday as the community and beyond came together to rally behind the U.S. Freeski and Snowboard Teams by raising more than $100,000 at their first-ever in-person fundraiser.  

Hosted by Ray and Ann Marie Forehand, parents of U.S. Freeski slopestyle athlete Mac Forehand, this incredible event was full of fans and supporters alike creating a fun-filled, lively atmosphere. There was delicious food and live music by local favorite, The Lustre Kings.  

“What an amazing night celebrating the future stars of U.S. Freeski and Snowboard!”, said Freeski legend and master of ceremonies for the evening, Tom Wallisch. “The Forehands hosted a party for the ages, and it was so nice to catch up in person with legends of the sports!” Former U.S. Snowboard team members and Olympic gold medalists, Kelly Clark and Ross Powers were also in attendance and spoke about their experiences on the Team and the growth of their sport. 

Through ticket purchases, generous donations, a silent auction, and a raffle for VIP tickets to the Mammoth Grand Prix, the funds raised will help offset the costs of the upcoming season for both the rookie and pro teams. Several of the benefitting freeski athletes, including Forehand, Alex Hall, Cody LaPlante, Grace Henderson, Hunter Henderson, Caroline Claire, Charlie Gnoza, and Tristan Feinberg were able to attend before they returned to Europe in preparation for a big upcoming season with World Championships as well as the 2022 Winter Olympics on the horizon. The group’s other freeski teammates and snowboard counterparts were training overseas but supported the efforts from afar.  

Receiving no government funding, these athletes count on supporters to help provide them the resources they need to achieve their dreams — and represent America on and off the mountain. If you are interested in learning more about or donating to the athletes of the U.S. Freeski and U.S. Snowboard Teams, click HERE.