The 2025–2026 FIS Freeski and Snowboard Big Air World Cup opened on Thursday at Yunding Snow Park in Chongli, north China’s Hebei Province, launching a new season of top-tier competition. More than 180 athletes from 31 countries and regions are taking part, all aiming to strengthen their bids for the 2026 Milano–Cortina Winter Olympic Games.

This year’s event is being staged on a newly built Big Air ramp that integrates the area’s natural terrain. With its open layout, spectators can watch elite skiers and snowboarders perform high-flying tricks free of charge. “Watching the competition on TV is completely different from watching it live. The level of skiing is just getting higher and higher,” said Jiang, a visitor from Beijing.

Qualifiers run from Thursday to Friday, with the finals scheduled over the weekend. As the final Olympic qualifying window closes in January 2026, the stakes are high. “Most competitors are obviously working hard… it’s a very important competition,” noted Hamish, a coach from New Zealand.

Source: China Central Television