Thanks to the recent snowfall and very favorable weather forecasts for the coming days, the 5th edition of the Backcountry Invitational will take place this Sunday under a radiant sun. The shaping team of the Nendaz Freeride has been hard at work since Monday morning to create the largest temporary snowpark by Saturday evening.

The public can attend this competition starting at 10 a.m. in the Plan du Fou area above Siviez (Nendaz). A finish area with a bar, raclette, music, and live commentary will be set up. To get there, start from the top of the Plan du Fou cable car, ski down towards Siviez while staying on the left, then take a path heading east to the finish area.

The competition will also be broadcast live on this page from 9:30 a.m. (commentary in English).

SKI MEN

Some of the best freeriders and freestylers on the international scene will travel to Nendaz for this event. In men's skiing, we’ll see former world champion Leo Slemett (FRA), who will face tough competition to claim the title against the new recruits of the Freeride World Tour, including Frenchman Mathys Fornasier (representing Winter Activity), Canadian Tiemo Rolshoven, American Alex Hackel (5th last year), and New Zealanders Nico Porteous and Lach Powell.

SKI WOMEN

On the women’s side, the level will also be very high with the presence of freestyle skiing champion and PyeongChang Olympic participant Lou Barin (FRA) in Nendaz. She will be joined by Freeride World Tour Challenger riders Mila Delerue (FRA), Eva Battolla (SUI), and Astrid Cheylus (FRA). Swiss freestyle hopeful Nour El Khazen (SUI) will also be competing.