Big White hosts its biggest competition
Watch the high-paced, adrenaline-pumping, on-snow action as Olympic athletes take to the slopes at Big White this weekend.
The Barrels & Berms Snowboardcross World Cup will be in full swing at Big White Ski Resort from January 24 to 26 – and with it, comes some of the world’s best snowboard cross athletes.
“This will be the biggest event at Big White Ski Resort to date,” says Big White Senior VP Michael J. Ballingall. “When the world arrives on your door-step, and the best athletes in their sport, the whole community gets excited to turn out Canadian hospitality.”
“I could not be more excited to race a World Cup at home!” says 24-year-old and Big White local, Tess Critchlow. “Big White is where my career started so to bring it back and have the community behind me means a lot!”
Critchlow (video above) who was the top-ranked Canadian in women’s snowboard cross in PyeongChang 2018, finishing ninth. She has competed in nearly every snowboardcross event Big White has held since 2001.
“Snowboardcross is basically like motocross in a sense,” says Snowboard Canad communications head Richard Hegarty.
“Four athletes drop out of the gate at the same time and go through the course over berms and big jumps. A lot of people fall. You end up with some pretty crazy crashes and the first one across the line wins. It’s a great sport to watch.”
Big White local, Tess Critchlow (video above) who was the top-ranked Canadian in women’s snowboard cross in PyeongChang 2018, finishing ninth. She has competed in nearly every snowboardcross event Big White has held since 2001.
As part of the festivities, Big White is proud to host Sponsor Village, with samples, displays and big-screen action. Vernon-based craft brewery Okanagan Spring will be pouring at the beer gardens outside of The Woods from Friday to Sunday, and on Saturday from 8 pm to 9 pm, catch CBC’s broadcast of the Finals Event on the big screen.
TELUS Park Chair is closed to the public until Sunday, January 26 due to the World Cup event. The park and features remain open.
Where to Watch
Spectators will be able to get up-close and personal with the athletes from three different viewing areas:
- Ski down Sundance to the fence at the top of the course and watch the start of each race (it will be a slight hike back up to the intersection of Sundance and Kyle’s to ski back to the Village);
- Enjoy great sightlines along the eastern fence by entering TELUS Park through the Rhonda Lake Return entrance; or,
- Access the finish corral by skiing through TELUS Park or down Kyle’s or Highway 33. The finish corral can also be accessed by foot at Monashee Corner by the Fire Hall
Volunteer marshals will be on site to ensure a safe crossing.
When to Watch
Friday, January 24 – TRAINING & QUALIFICATION
There will be over four hours of action on Friday – watch the athletes train and compete to qualify for the main events on Saturday and Sunday. Athletes compete in an individual time trial base run for the preliminary runs. Then, the top 30 boarders who qualify for the playoff rounds will compete in heats of four.
Men’s Training 9:40am – 10:10am
Men’s Qualification 10:30am – 12:00pm
Women’s Training 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Women’s Qualification 1:15pm – 2:00pm
Saturday, January 25 – FINALS (SINGLE EVENT)
This is the BIG one! Don’t miss out on watching the world’s best snowboardcross athletes navigate rollers, jumps, banked turns and tabletops at speeds in excess of 70km/h for the title of World Cup Champion.
Training 10:50am – 11:30am
Finals (Men & Women’s)12:00pm – 1:25pm
Awards 1:30pm
Sunday, January 26 – FINALS (TEAM EVENT)
The SBX team event is set to debut as a new Olympic competition in 2022 Come preview what to expect in Beijing.
Training 10:50am – 11:30am
Finals (Mixed Teams) 12:00pm – 1:10pm
Awards 1:30pm
