The ski event is now the SpвЂ™akwus Ski Invitational, coming from the Squamish Nation, while the snowboard event will be the Halaw Snowboard Invitational, from the LilвЂ™Wat Nation.

Holding strong significance for the both Nations, the high soaring eagle was chosen for its alignment with the athleticism and artistry competitors bring to these storied events. Working with the local Squamish and LilвЂ™Wat First Nations, and drawing inspiration from their traditional imagery and folklore, the word for вЂњeagleвЂќ was chosen from each Nation. New for this year, the names for each event have been re-imagined. With some chances to play with, you can expect to see competitors throwing in some riskier, boundary pushing tricks in the hopes of taking home the coveted WSSF hardware. To determine the winners the judges will be taking the top two scores from their five runs.

Each competitor will take five runs, with at least one taken switch (opposite foot forward for snowboards, and backwards for skiers). This event will run as an invitational jam format with 10 men and six women. Spectators can watch all the action from Skiers Plaza itself, or from the comfort of the adjacent patios such as the legendary Garibaldi Lift Co.ДЇor those that canвЂ™t be amongst the action in Whistler, they can still catch the show with the online broadcast at В and. Located at the base of Whistler Mountain the towering 60-foot jump is within prime viewing location of Skiers Plaza where an anticipated crowd of over 10,000 will be looking on. As an organization committed to supporting gender equality in sport, WSSF will be awarding equal prizing for menвЂ™s and womenвЂ™s podium finishers. The breakdown sees a whopping $20K to each first-place finisher. With nearly $150K up for grabs, competition will be fierce among competitors to claim a piece of the pie. Mark your calendars for the snowboard event taking center stage on Friday, April 12, with ski dropping into the Arena Snow Parks-built jump the following day. With tantalizing prizing, electric crowds, and the world watching, this yearвЂ™s Big Air events are shaping up to be must-see viewing.

Yuki Tsubota (CAN) вЂ“ Pyeongchang and Sochi Olympics sixth place finisher and Whistler local (ski).

Teal Harle (CAN) вЂ“ Pyeongchang Olympics Slopestyle fifth place finisher (ski).

Elena Gaskell (CAN) вЂ“ 2019 X Games Big Air seventh place and 2018 WSSF Big Air WomenвЂ™s Ski reigning champion (ski).

Evan McEachran (CAN) вЂ“ 2019 X Games fourth place and 2018 WSSF Big Air MenвЂ™s Ski reigning champion (ski).

Laurie Blouin (CAN) вЂ“ 2019 X Games Big Air gold medalist and Pyeongchang Olympics Slopestyle silver medalist (snowboard).Some big names locked in already for this year include: WeвЂ™re talking Olympians, X Games champions and WSSF Big Air alum-athletes who are driving the progression of their respective sports, and pushing the boundaries of whatвЂ™s possible on snow. Some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the world are ready to drop into Whistler this spring as the World Ski & Snowboard FestivalВ (WSSF) gets ready to launch on April 10th вЂ“ 14th, 2019, and weвЂ™re inviting the world to come along for the ride. WORLD SKI & SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL | BIG AIR PREVIEW

Big mountain snowboarding 2018