The 2019 International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, presented by Toyota are coming to Utah! Over 1,400 athletes from around the world will converge to compete in Snowboardcross and Skicross; Freeski and Snowboard Big Air, Slopestyle and Halfpipe; Snowboard Parallel Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom; and Freestyle Moguls, Dual Moguls and Aerials. Park City, Deer Valley and Solitude Resorts will host these exciting and prestigious events February 1 – 10, 2019 – the biggest winter sports event to be held in Utah since the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. All events are free and open to the public.
Setting the tone for event, the competition kicks off at Solitude Mountain Resort on February 1, 2 and 3 with one of the most thrilling snow sports, Snowboardcross. Snowboardcross and Skicross events involve multiple athletes racing at the same time down a course that has steep and flat sections, jumps, turns and rollers, challenging snowboarders and skiers to go really fast while staying in control and not wiping out, or being wiped out by their competitors. While the teams won’t be officially named until the end of January you can expect to see top U.S. athletes such as seven time X-Games champion Nate Holland, two time Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott, Olympic Bronze Medalist Alex Deibold and Olympic Silver Medalist Lindsey Jacobellis.
Opening Ceremonies and Freeski Big Air are at Canyons Village – Park City Resort in the evening on February 2, featuring music by The Main Squeeze (soul and hip-hop, funk with rock) and fireworks. For the first time in the history of World Championships, Freeskiing Big Air will be included as a medal event. The International Olympic Committee is including this event for the first time in the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games.
Park City Village at Park City Mountain hosts its first event in the afternoon on February 4, the Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom. This breathtaking event is simple – two riders race down the slope side by side; first to the bottom wins. PyeongChang 2018 Gold Medalist Ester Ledecká is expected to be among the contenders.
Deer Valley Resort throws it into high gear on February 6 with Freestyle Aerials. Definitely heart-stopping, athletes launch high into the air, twisting, flipping and hopefully sticking a safe landing. Look for US athletes Ashley Caldwell and Jonathon Lillis, both World Champions.
Competitions and events including art exhibits, sponsor and vendor villages continue daily at the resorts until February 10 with the Closing Ceremonies on Park City’s Main Street. For what should be an amazing party, competitors and people from all over the world will converge on Main Street for music from Lupe Fiasco and fireworks.
Events will be broadcast on NBCSN and Olympic Channel and streamed live, but there’s nothing like experiencing it firsthand. Some recommendations for enjoying it all:
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- If you haven’t already, book your lodging right now! Many of Park City Lodging’s properties are walking distance to event venues, and all have access to the free area-wide shuttles. Find available vacation rentals: Park City Lodging
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- Think twice about bringing a car. Public transportation is available to all of the competition venues and parking at the venues is extremely limited. Besides, you’ll enjoy meeting spectators from all over the world!
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- When going to the competitions and other events, pack light. Use pockets or small back packs to carry your stuff, not big bags. You’ll get through security screening faster and have less to lug around and look after while you’re enjoying the show.
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- When you’re not at the events, enjoy skiing and boarding yourself – the mountains will be open and conditions are amazing!
For more information and the full schedule of events go to 2019 FIS World Championships