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Swatch Nines, one of freeskiing's wildest events, is back, and the course, as usual, looks perfect for some cutting-edge moves. The event kicks off on April 7, 2025 in Schilthorn, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, here's a peek at the features on tap, courtesy of Swatch Nines.
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The course overview.
Photo: Swatch Nines
Loops aren't entirely new in skiing. Not so long ago, Jesper Tjäder slid a loop rail feature. Then, he slid an "open loop" feature with the middle removed. Both were nuts.
Still, the Swatch Nines' take on the loop leaves an opening for never-before-seen stunts. It's a full loop constructed from snow—think an enclosed halfpipe—followed by a standard rail.
Predicting the exact trick combinations the invited skiers try on this feature is difficult, but we're imagining rodeo 540s off the full loop to rail slide—that sort of thing.
However it pans out, expect some of the competition's most noteworthy tricks to come from this feature. Swatch Nines, in a press release, said the full pipe to rail boasts "nearly unlimited trajectories." We like that.
The "Full Pipe" is the last feature on the left.
Photo: Swatch Nines
What's Swatch Nines without a meaty gap? Nothing, apparently. This season's course opens with what looks like a roller with the middle cut out. A floaty cork 360 over this channel gap is the safest bet, but creative riders will presumably find additional ways to make this feature sing.
Channel gap, anyone?
Photo: Swatch Nines
More gaps and transitions? It appears that way. The Double Hip, a feature designed by freeskiing wizard Nico Vuignier, is self-explanatory. It boasts two hips next to one another with considerable open space between them.
The question on our minds is—will someone jump across this open space? Without seeing the Swatch Nines course in person, we aren't putting any money down. But don't be surprised if the Double Hip produces some serious airtime in one way or the other. This absurd 2014 gap from the Nines might provide the blueprint.
The Double Hip is the last feature on the course.
Photo: Swatch Nines
This year, the course was largely designed by the aforementioned Vuignier as well as Sämi Ortlieb, a quiet yet influential force in freeskiing that played a significant role in Salomon's freestyle re-launch, the Depart (Vuignier, as it would turn out, was the initial catalyst behind the Depart). Together, Vuignier and Ortlieb clearly knocked the Swatch Nines ball out of the park as freestyle feature designers.
"These two have really given it everything they have, and they did an amazing job," said Nico Zacek, the founder of Swatch Nines.
What of the athletes, though? Ortlieb and Vuignier are on the list, as are numerous other rippers. A few standouts include Mathilde Gremaud, Dennis Ranalter, and Max Moffatt. Really, though, the whole roster reads like a fantasy freeskiing line-up. There's a wide variety of ski styles on display.
The invited skier list.
Photo: Swatch Nines
Stay up to date with Swatch Nines content on their YouTube channel.
Continue reading...
Meanwhile, here's a peek at the features on tap, courtesy of Swatch Nines.
Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.
You must be registered for see images attach
The course overview.
Photo: Swatch Nines
The Insta360 "Full Pipe"
Loops aren't entirely new in skiing. Not so long ago, Jesper Tjäder slid a loop rail feature. Then, he slid an "open loop" feature with the middle removed. Both were nuts.
Still, the Swatch Nines' take on the loop leaves an opening for never-before-seen stunts. It's a full loop constructed from snow—think an enclosed halfpipe—followed by a standard rail.
Predicting the exact trick combinations the invited skiers try on this feature is difficult, but we're imagining rodeo 540s off the full loop to rail slide—that sort of thing.
However it pans out, expect some of the competition's most noteworthy tricks to come from this feature. Swatch Nines, in a press release, said the full pipe to rail boasts "nearly unlimited trajectories." We like that.
You must be registered for see images attach
The "Full Pipe" is the last feature on the left.
Photo: Swatch Nines
The Opening Transfer
What's Swatch Nines without a meaty gap? Nothing, apparently. This season's course opens with what looks like a roller with the middle cut out. A floaty cork 360 over this channel gap is the safest bet, but creative riders will presumably find additional ways to make this feature sing.
You must be registered for see images attach
Channel gap, anyone?
Photo: Swatch Nines
The Double Hip
More gaps and transitions? It appears that way. The Double Hip, a feature designed by freeskiing wizard Nico Vuignier, is self-explanatory. It boasts two hips next to one another with considerable open space between them.
The question on our minds is—will someone jump across this open space? Without seeing the Swatch Nines course in person, we aren't putting any money down. But don't be surprised if the Double Hip produces some serious airtime in one way or the other. This absurd 2014 gap from the Nines might provide the blueprint.
You must be registered for see images attach
The Double Hip is the last feature on the course.
Photo: Swatch Nines
Who's Invited to the Swatch Nines?
This year, the course was largely designed by the aforementioned Vuignier as well as Sämi Ortlieb, a quiet yet influential force in freeskiing that played a significant role in Salomon's freestyle re-launch, the Depart (Vuignier, as it would turn out, was the initial catalyst behind the Depart). Together, Vuignier and Ortlieb clearly knocked the Swatch Nines ball out of the park as freestyle feature designers.
"These two have really given it everything they have, and they did an amazing job," said Nico Zacek, the founder of Swatch Nines.
What of the athletes, though? Ortlieb and Vuignier are on the list, as are numerous other rippers. A few standouts include Mathilde Gremaud, Dennis Ranalter, and Max Moffatt. Really, though, the whole roster reads like a fantasy freeskiing line-up. There's a wide variety of ski styles on display.
You must be registered for see images attach
The invited skier list.
Photo: Swatch Nines
Stay up to date with Swatch Nines content on their YouTube channel.
Continue reading...
