Team Orage vs. Retallack

Michelle Parker dropping in at Retallack, BC

JP Auclair, Michelle Parker, TJ Schiller, and Phil Casabon just returned from a week long Orage team trip in Retallack, BC.  We'll be posting full day by day updates with photos and some raw video footage right after JOSS next week, but in the mean time check out a great review and preview from Frequency/Ski Journal editor Colin Wiseman.

Day 4 - Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch

L to R: Tom Wallisch, Henrik Harlaut, Thomas Dolplads

It's funny how life repeats itself. What's even funnier is how I find myself saying the same things about the weather in Laax year after year. But what makes it all worth it is that it always improves, and true to history the sun gods blessed us again today for the finals of men's and women's slopestyle at the Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch. Semi Finals went off without a hitch, all 12 women were given a pass to the finals and on the men's side 48 athletes battled their way through two heats of cut throat action.

Thon Halvard throwing down in semi-finals

Matt Philippi

With no room for error some of the heaviest names in the field had their hopes of a run in the finals cut short. With guys like Anders Backe, Bobby Brown, Matt Philippi, Tanner Rainville, Mike Riddle, Andreas Hatveit, PK Hunder, Oscar Harlaut, Colby West and AJ Kemppainen not making the cut, the finals were sure to be a show down between the who's who of you know who's... the dopest, most bad ass park slayers in the game.

Jossi Wells

For the ladies 12 femme fatales dropped in for two runs each with three making their way to the top of the pack.

2/3 womens slope podium

Flying the Quebec flag singing Je Me Souvien was Kaya Turski from Montreal, Canada.

Kaya on the Volkl guita

With a huge lead over the rest of the competition Kaya spread the gap between first and second with a solid 9.4 point lead. Slaying every feature in her path Kaya boosted 3's in the two hitter pipe combo'd up with a switch 7, switch five, and right side 5 on the last kicker.

Eva-Maria Patscheider

Holding down the second spot was Breckenridge's own, Keri Herman and rounding out top three was Austrias Eva-Maria Patscheider.

Simon Dumont

For the dude's side we saw some very interesting results. Simon Dumont went bigger than everyone else in the pipe, but three left side spins from top to bottom may have played a factor in his 9th place finish.

Phil Casabon

PK Hunder who won the overall dew tour was not able to make finals and got rocked when he sketched a switch take off and took it straight to the dome on the deck of the jump. Joe Schuster suffered a case of boot to ski interface malfunctions and lost a shoe on both of his final runs. Phil Casabon, who wasn't scheduled to compete due to broken ribs, seemed to have no problem getting in the top ten.

B-dog at the "prize giving"

Bubble Boy, Matt Margetts, has permanently put an end to his nick name taking 1st place in qualifiers and walking away with a 5th place finish overall.

Matt Margetts

Taking home the number three spot was Thomas Dolplads from Norway who laid down a solid run stomping a flare into an air to fakie in the pipe and a switch right 9, double cork left ten into a left side 9 on the jump line.

Thomas Dolplads in the middle of a double cork 1080


Second place went to steeze master Tom Wallisch who threw 5's and 3's in the pipe into a switch right 9, rodeo 9, and followed by a switch 10.

Tom Wallisch rides pipe.

But when it came down to it, Henrik Harlaut was not to be outdone. Already Sitting in first place at the end of the first run and with only Tom Wallisch left to drop in after him, Henrik had only one thing left to do... one up his own score to guarantee himself victory.

Henrick Harlaut

In his second attempt Henrik stomped the dong out of his run laying down a five to a lofty straight air in the pipe, a right side 7 to a double cork 12 followed by a switch 10... followed by a short walk to the top of the podium.

Harlaut again, starting the winning run

So in the end, a two part qualifier split by bad weather allowed over 100 riders to throw down and show the world what most of them cannot do... the Orage European Freeski Open brought to Laax Resort the best riders in the world, some who rode the way we've come accustomed to seeing them ride, others who encountered uncharacteristic challenges once the final bell rang. And now we have one day left, one final event... Super pipe.

Don't miss it.

This guy will definitly be there

Photos: Cody Lynge

Day 3 - Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch

There seems to be a disturbance in the force and an unsettling trend has emerged… or should I say, an unsettling trend continues.  The Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch just wouldn’t be the Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch if we weren’t faced with challenging weather.  Day 1 brought with it beautiful blue skies and a bit of wind late in the day, day 2 brought with it a partially cloudy mix and a bit of wind earlier in the day.  And in the end, the result of both the slope and pipe qualis would call for competition to be postponed. But this is the Orage European Open and we can handle it.

10 minutes of half pipe practice

The men from yesterday’s 4th heat of the slope qualis were able to make up for lost time and banged through the last round early this morning.  Not skipping a beat was Alexis Godbout from QC. Canada taking the top spot with a fair amount of clearance between him and second place finisher Julien Lange from France.  With only one point separating second and third Switzerland’s own Nicolas Vuignier took the third spot with John Spriggs, Kevin Guri, Hans-Jakob Brandt and Maxime Fornier rounding out the top 7 to move into Friday’s slope finals.

From the slope course we moved to the superpipe where the ladies were ready to get their groove on.  Trick provider extrordinaire, Claudia Bouvier from the US threw down solid runs, spinning 5’s and making the best of less than perfect conditions to take home the top spot for Saturday’s final.  Belgium’s Katrien Aerts and Great Britian’s Reecca Hammond rounded out the top three. 

When the men were ready to take to the pipe, the wind was also ready and waiting to up the ante.  Old man winter kicked it into high gear and drummed up some hefty wind gusts.  When it was all said and done, the men were only able to get one run wrapped up before being forced to throw in the towel.

Aurelien Fornier

Thomas Krief


Peter Olenick airing over Byron Wells

Volkl's Matt Philippi threw down an insanely sold run despite the conditions.  Switch drop ins to cab seven, huge nines both ways, flat threes and fives earned Matt the top spot… in our humble opinion at least.  But then again, we were just a couple freezing dudes chillin at the bottom of the pipe with no influence on judging.  Either way, props to Philippi.

Matt Philippi

Just as the second runs from heat 1 were about the begin, the wind kicked into overdrive and forced the event managers to opt out of the remaining contest.

The last bit of sunshine on the pipe

The rest of the halfpipe qualifier and semis will be completed on Saturday morning followed by the finals that afternoon.  It’ll be crunch time but the cream will rise to the top and he / she who deserves to take home to the cash will certainly do so. 

Tune in tomorrow for slopestyle finals action for both the men and women.

Day 2 - Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch

Laax Resort, Switzerland – It’s late March, the sun is shining, and over 200 of the world’s best Pro and Am skiers have ascended to Laax resort, Switzerland. Which can only mean one thing… you better break out the swiss cheese and baguette sandwiches ‘cause the Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch is in full swing.

mmmmm... these suisse cheese sandwiches from the coop gas station have been the staple diet behind 4am blog posting at the past 3 European Opens'

Back for the 4th year Orage, Swatch and Laax Resort have joined forces to host Europe’s most prestigious open format slopestyle and superpipe event. Kicking off today’s action were the men and women’s slopestyle qualifiers on a course that’s become both a controversial and unique slope run. As always, the Euro Open comes equipped with killer custom features like this year’s Volkl Electric Guitar Box and the Giro Goggle C Box, but the most notorious of all… (for some) is the one of a kind 2 hit shorty pipe that fills the second spot on the courses feature list.

The jump line as seen through the top of the half pipe

This year’s course is transition heavy and not overly accommodating for the jibbers of the world but if there’s one thing we know, those who have come “shred ready” will get the job done. From top to bottom you’ve got the Volkl Guitar Box, the double hit wonder pipe, a three pack of kickers growing from 40 – 50 – 60ft all capped off with the Giro Goggle box.

Joe Schuster playing with the guitar box

With only a handful prequalified invites passed out for the finals (based on last season’s results)… the athletes riding in the quails looking for a shot at the finals is a testament to the level of the Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch. Spotted in the village and around the hill… Simon Dumont, Jossi Wells and Colby West were in chill mode waiting for Friday and Saturday’s finals... but on the hill today looking to qualify were names like Peter Olenick, John Spriggs, John Strenio, Jacob Wester, Matt Philipi, Matt Margetts, Banks Gilberti, Bobby Brown, Oscar Harlaut, Roz G, Keri Herman, Meg Olenick and Whitney Wickes. To say the least the field was stacked.

Meg Olenick

With bright blue skies, the slope quails were challenged with steady side winds for the afternoon heats but the banana bar crew was on hand prepping for the big show and the riders were ready slay the course.

Matt Phillippi got busy qualifiing for the finals with left and right 9's in the "slope-pipe"

Some of today’s highlights were Marcus Eder, winner of the Orage Itali-AM open at Bormio Italy placing 5th in qualifier heat 3. Also coming in with a strong heat 3 showing was Orage’s own Matt Margetts taking the top spot for Friday’s final. “LJ’, John Strenio threw down in heat 1 to take the top spot followed by Laurent Demartin from Switzerland and Mike Riddle in third from Canada.

Gigi Couttet

Heat 2 was stacked with the top five being split with American, Swiss and Norwegian riders. For the ladies it was Eva-Maria Patscheider, Whitney Wickes and Lena Stoffel who took the top three spots.

Chase Crane in the pipe


When it was all said and done the slope quail was one of the best we’ve seen yet… the skies were blue bird, the riding was unmatched and the only snag we hit was old man winter who decided to kick up the wind just before heat 4… which has been postponed until tomorrow.

Patrick Hollaus cleaning up the end of heat three just before the sun went down

Stay tuned for more from day two of the Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch. Next up: heat 4 men’s slope qualifier followed by pipe qualis…

RESULTS (PDF)

Women Slopestyle Qualifier

Men Slopestyle Qualifier - Heat 1

Men Slopestyle Qualifier - Heat 2

Men Slopestyle Qualifier - Heat 3

Day 1 - Orage European Freeski Open by Swatch

It's no secret that Europe has been having a record year in terms of snowfall. What were typically green valleys on the drive from Zurich down to Laax, Switzerland for the past three years of the Orage European Freeski Open were still blanket white landscapes.

The scenery in Switzerland

Laax has always been known for building some creative features into the European Open slopestyle, and this year is no exception. Taking advantage of all the extra snowpack, Laax has built a free standing halfpipe IN the slopestyle run. Let's not jump too far ahead though, here is a complete rundown of the slopestyle course from top to bottom:

The first feature is the Volkl/Marker guitar box...

The [slopestyle] halfpipe...

First jump...

Banks Gilberti practicing his 9's on the second jump...

The last table...

The Giro goggle c'box finishes off the course

Slopestyle qualifiers get underway tomorrow where one hundred skiers will face off for twelve spots in Friday's semi final. Accompanying the top twelve with a free pass to the next round are the following invited athletes:

Russ Henshaw - Austrailia
Philip Casabon - Canada
Joe Schuster - Canada
Pekka Hyysalo - Finland
AJ Kemppainen - Slopestyle
Benedikt Mayr - Germany
Tobi Reindl - Germany
Anders Backe - Norway
Andreas Hatveit - Norway
PK Hunder - Norway
Jossi Wells - New Zealand
Andri Ambühl - Switzerland
Kim Boberg - Sweden
Henrik Harlaut - Sweden
Mike Clarke - USA
Tanner Rainville - USA
Tom Wallisch - USA
Colby West - USA

Sarah Burke - Canada
Christina Huber - Germany
Eveline Bhend - Switzerland
Virginie Faivre - Switzerland
Nina Michel - Switzerland
Sofie Windstedt - Sweden
Claudia Bouvier - USA
Kristi Leskinen - USA

Stay tuned to orage.com for daily news, results, photos, and video throughout the weekend.

North Cascade Heli

Just got back from an epic 5 day trip to North Cascade Heli with Benchetler, Pollard, Sammy, Dakine, Nimbus, and Freeskier. With only 4 days to fly, we were cutting it close. The first two days we made it out, but were quickly brought back down due to the wind and lack of visibility. On the third day there was no chance we were flying. On the fourth day it looked like our worst day yet. Sammy packed up his car and took off, we had to make a sacrifice I guess. Within a half an hour, the clouds broke and the sun was out. It was on.

Benchetler and Pollard might be two of my new favorite people to ride with. Pollard has got everything on lock down. He was our fearless leader of the group, being the most experienced. The night before the sunny day, he led us into oblivion cracking open the first beer. I'd say, he knows when it's time to drink it blue. Job well done. The sun gods we shining down on us and laughing at us at the same time.

Benchetler works hard, super hard. Always on the go and ready for anything. He also looks like the Hulk with his shirt off, as our TM Randy Torcom found out when he tried to wake him up, but almost payed the consequences with a toilet dunking.

Anyways, the sun was shining and the snow was epic. Don't forget to download the new Nimbus webisode. It's sick!!! Here are some shots from our trip. Thanks to Randy Torcom from Dakine for the good times!! For more photos and words check out www.michelle-parker.com.

Taylor Seaton in 4th at US Open!

The 12th annual US Freeskiing Open went down this weekend in Copper Colorado and Orage athletes Taylor Seaton and JL Ratchel were on site to throw down.

The weather conditions were tough for practice and qualifying the first couple of days. Over a foot of snow fell and the winds were brutal gusting up to 30 mp/h at times!

JL and Taylor both skied well and practiced hard. JL came up a little short in semis and wasn't able to move on. Taylor was stomping his runs and really tweaking his grabs earning him a spot in the finals.

After hurting his heel the first run in finals Taylor kept skiing through the pain and posted even better scores on his final two runs landing a solid 4th place finish, just a few tenths of a point shy of the podium.

Justin Dorey, Matt Philippi and Mike Riddle threw down like never before making this event one of the better pipe comps of the year. Taylor is off to Japan tomorrow for the FIS World Championships where he will hope to reclaim a spot on the podium.

Photos: John Vandervalk