Event: Toyota U.S Grand Prix and Visa Big Air Snowboard / FreeSki
Photographer/Director Troy Nebeker is living his best life working for client Hydro Flask. His latest assignment at Copper Mountain ski resort was to visually document the launch of Hydro Flask's three year partnership with the U.S Snowboard team. Copper Mountain, was the backdrop for an exciting week of Big Air and Half Pipe World Cup competition. While the team kept the fans hyped on the mountain - Hydro Flask kept the good times going at the base with their on snow activation. Shuffle board, Snowball toss, athlete signings all gave fans the opportunity to win product, relax in a fun environment and meet their favorite snowboard ambassador. "My goal," says Nebeker was to capture the fun and enthusiasm of the event." To look at these images I think Troy accomplished what he set out to do.
2023 Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and Visa Big Air presented by Toyota
Here's a little more about the event.
2023 Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and Visa Big Air presented by Toyota – a FIS Freeski & Snowboard World Cup halfpipe and big air event at Copper Mountain, Colorado!
General Key Facts:
- The Woodward Copper Superpipe, located on Copper's lower Main Vein trail, is the first Olympic-size halfpipe to open in North American every season.
- The pipe stands at a massive 22-feet tall, the Olympic qualifying standard, and is nearly 550 feet in length and 70 feet wide with an 18-degree pitch.
- Athletes typically perform about five skills throughout the length of the superpipe.
- Those wanting to watch the event were able to hike to the base of the Superpipe from Center Village and stand along the bottom of the pipe or the pipe’s left wall during the competition.
Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Facts
- The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix is the longest-running winter action sports tour and has served as a major part of the U.S. Freeski Team and U.S. Snowboard Team Olympic qualification series since 1998, launching Olympic medalists including Chloe Kim, Jamie Anderson, Red Gerard, Shaun White, David Wise and Nick Goepper toward medals.
- In Copper, the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix is a halfpipe competition for both snowboard and freeski.
- In the qualifications phase, the best one of two runs counts.
- In the finals, the best one run of three runs counts.
- There are spectator zones and fans are encouraged to attend.
- The Snowboard & Freeski FIS Event Page includes the event program, start lists, results and live scores during the event.
- The next Toyota U.S. Grand Prix will take place at Mammoth Mountain, Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2024.
Visa Big Air presented by Toyota Facts:
- Located on the Lower Bouncer trail, the 70-foot big air jump providec a showcase for those in Center Village.
- Competitors took off from a snow and scaffolding start, standing nearly 70 feet off the ski trail ensured enough speed and height to clear the jump.
- People watching the competition stood at the base of the jump’s finish corral in Center Village, located to the left of the American Eagle lift.
