20 years Hintertux Park Opening

The 20th Hintertux Park Opening is history! From October 3 - 6, the freestyle community answered the call and flocked to the Tuxertal to celebrate the 20th anniversary. The best snow and park conditions thanks to the early onset of winter ensured a top-class start to the season. Even though the sun only came through on Sunday, this did not dampen the good mood. The spirit of snowboarding was palpable throughout the weekend: the sense of community, the shared passion for the sport, the joy of sharing it with like-minded people. This is what the Opening stands for and rightly deserves its legendary status.

Over the years, the Hintertux Park Opening has truly become a meeting of the generations. At Betterpark Hintertux, you can meet the Kids Shred Crew, the youngest of whom are just three years old and are coached by snowboarding legends Gigi Rüf and Steve Gruber, while rookies, amateurs and stars of the scene let off steam right next door, including illustrious names such as Halldor Helgason (ISL), Stale Sandbech (NOR) and Austria's snowboarding veteran Max Plötzeneder, who caused a sensation in the late 90s. For many, these are their first days back in the snow and the motivation is correspondingly high: test the latest boards from the exhibiting brands, discover the area on your own, join one of the sessions in the park such as the Canary Cartel Playground Session or simply enjoy the fresh snow. The supporting program also delivers what it promises with the world premiere of "Schnitzeltime II - No Return", the new film by and with Clemens Millauer. A true masterpiece.

Werni's Transfer Games by Quiksilver - The Zillertal professional snowboarder has once again invited guests to "Werni's Transfer Games by Quiksilver". Style, airtime and creativity are in demand and the conditions in the park provide the perfect basis for the first jump session of the season. Teams are all about stylish transfers, often synchronized, as Leon Gütl and Noah Vicktor demonstrate to perfection with their beautiful 180s and switch backside 180s. They also won the "Steeziest Team" award for this. "Best day ever!", says Werni Stock. "Fresh snow, super park, great atmosphere among the riders and perfect jumps. Thanks to the whole Betterpark Hintertux team!" The international quartet Kuba Hrones, Frank Jobin, Truth Smith and Kalle Järvilehto were delighted with the "Best Team Award". The Norwegian quintet of Stale Standbech, Torgeir Bergrem Øyvind Kirkhus, Fridtjof Tischendorf and Bendik Gjerdalen also impressed across the board and took home the Best Tech Team Award. Nick Pünter also amazes everyone and takes home the Best Creative Team Award together with host Werni Stock.

Metal Battle presented by SANE! - The 4th Metal Battle at the valley station of the Hintertux Glacier marks the first rail contest of the season. A diverse field of riders will be at the start, including those who qualified in the qualifiers on Friday, who will meet the invited jib stars. And they all set off a firework display of tricks. In the women's event, Spain's Paula Benito came out on top, winning the overall and best trick categories. Canadian Frank Jobin was the best rider in the men's competition. His compatriot Truth Smith showed the best style, while Norway's Øyvind Kirkhus had the sickest tricks in store, sending the crowd into a frenzy with a hardway switch backside 270 transfer. "Definitely the most impressive Metal Battle to date. Super conditions, pleasant weather, a great atmosphere and world-class riding made this year's event particularly special - it couldn't have gone any better!", says Max Glatzl from the SANE! crew.

This was the anniversary edition of the Hintertux Park Opening. Werni Stock puts it aptly: "The Hintertux Park Opening is simply legendary and I am proud that it has been a fixed date in the fall for 20 years. And the journey continues. I'm already looking forward to next year." See you at the 21st Hintertux Park Opening from October 3 - 5, 2025.

Results:
Werni's Transfer Games by Quiksilver
Best Team: I love my Team (Kuba Hrones, Frank Jobin, Truth Smith, Kalle Järvilehto)
Best Tech Team: Norwegian Madness (Stale Sandbech, Torgeir Bergrem, Øyvind Kirkhus, Fridtjof Tischendorf, Bendik Gjerdalen)
Best Creative Team: Team Transfer (Werni Stock, Nick Pünter)
Best Young Guns Team: Team Young Guns (Dima Luchkin, Peter Ershovv)
Best Slam Team: Team Bayern (Flo Corzelius, Maxi Preissinger)
Steeziest Team: Team Germany (Leon Gütl, Noah Vicktor)

SANE! Metal Battle Rail Jam:
Women:
Best Overall: Paula Benito (SPA)
Best Trick: Paula Benito (SPA) - Cab 270 Blunt to Regular
Best Style: Telma San Frutos (SPA)
Men:
Best Overall: Frank Jobin (CAN)
Best Trick: Øyvind Kirkhus (NOR)
Best Style: Truth Smith (CAN)