The North Face® Freeski Open of New Zealand 2015 Dates Announced

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand –(2 June 2015) –  The North Face® Freeski Open of New Zealand is back for 2015, once again putting its own spin on freeski competition with a unique combo of events. Park and pipe events kick off from 6-10 August at Cardrona Alpine Resort with The Remarkables hosting the Big Mountain event from 1-6 September. 

In classic innovative Kiwi style The Freeski Open of NZ was the first event to hold Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Mountain competitions in one.  Celebrating its 11^th birthday this year, the event formula remains the same, combining top quality competition with a fun, social atmosphere. 

At the business end of the deal The Freeski Open of NZ gives competitors the opportunity to rack up all important AFP and Freeride World Qualifier Tour ranking and qualifying points. 

Cardrona Alpine Resort’s world-class halfpipe and slopestyle course are a familiar proving ground for the elite of the freeski world. In 2015 competitors will be able to test themselves at two top level events with The Freeski Open of NZ park and pipe events taking place just ahead of the Audi quattro Winter Games. 

The schedule for The Freeski Open of NZ Park and Pipe events is as follows:

• August 6^th – 7^th – Open training Slopestyle and Halfpipe
• August 7^th – Bib collection and rider briefing. 3pm Noodle Bar, Cardrona Alpine Resort
• August 8^th – Slopestyle qualifiers and finals
• August 9^th – Halfpipe qualifiers and finals
• August 10th– Weather day

Entry fee: $100 per discipline. Entries will be limited to 80 for halfpipe and 100 for slopestyle.

Registration will be open from early July via http://www.nzfreeskiopen.com/    

The epic terrain of Queenstown’s The Remarkables ski field will once again provide the venue for The Freeski Open of NZ Big Mountain, a competition which consistently attracts the international who’s who of freeride and provides a stepping stone for Kiwis aspiring to compete on the world stage.

Sam Smoothy and Charlie Lyons have used strong results at The Freeski Open of NZ to help secure spots on the Freeride World Tour while up and coming skier Hank Bilous earned himself an invite to the Junior Freeride World Tour off the back of his second place finish at the 2014 NZ Freeski Open.

The schedule for The Freeski Open of NZ Big Mountain is as follows:

• 31^st August -  Bib collection 6pm – 8pm  in Wanaka (or at the Remarkables on the morning of the event)
• 1^st – 6^th September - Weather window for qualifiers and finals 

Entry fee: $100 

Competitors wishing to enter the Big Mountain competition will be able to do so from early July via the Freeride World Tour member portal. Riders will need to visit http://www.freerideworldtour.com/registration.html where they can purchase their competition license and register for the North Face Freeski Open of New Zealand with a credit card.  

For further information visit www.nzfreeskiopen.com and follow on Facebook

-Ends-