EVENTS

Read here which events shaped China Snowboarding and to which landmark events the community flocks to and where all riders show up, no matter what.

The CHINA INTRO TO 2022 series is a five part “Who / What / Where / How” introduction to the tightly knit Chinese winter sports industry with a focus on snowboarding. Gain exclusive insights about the most influential and longest standing snowboarding events in China with part 3!

Contact Token Consulting to discuss opportunities to collaborate and tap into the largest remaining developing winter sports market!

MELLOW PARKS CHINA 

“We keep on doing what we do best. Putting smiles on Chinese snowboarders.”

Austrian native Steve Zdarsky voices his thoughts on event culture, snowboarding and what his goals are in China after almost twenty years of building, driving and shaping the industry through his involvement:

“A good event is one where you see happy faces and stoked kids. Events where some white dudes show what they can do are good but honestly don’t have any impact. To have Chinese shred together with people from overseas is the best.”

 

Zdarsky clearly stands out as authentic personality, he resembles a tireless and driven entrepreneur with the spirit and heart of a true rider. For him, being an event organiser provides the freedom to realise own ideas, but the challenge is to get acknowledged by sponsors.

Check out two of his legendary annual landmark on-snow events:

 

Nanshan Open / 17th edition in 2018-19

 

LOCATION

Nanshan Mellow Park

 

SINCE WHEN

2002

 

PRICE PURSE

biggest price purse to date was USD 75.000,-

 

GOOD TO KNOW AS SPECTATOR

The Nanshan Open is the longest running snowboard event in Asia and back in the days it was the biggest slopestyle event.

 

10th RED BULL NANSHAN OPEN 

 

 

 

16th TMALL NANSHAN OPEN

 

 

 

VANS Hi Standard

 

LOCATION

Nanshan Mellow Park

 

SINCE WHEN

2013

 

PRICE PURSE

VANS spot prizes, cash for tricks

 

GOOD TO KNOW AS SPECTATOR

This is the China stop of the worldwide Vans Hi Standard tour, don’t spectate but participate its a jam session and its about style, not spin to win.

 

VANS HI STANDARD 2018

 

 

 

Air + Style in Beijing

“There is so much momentum in China for the upcoming Olympics, which is great, and we hope we too can do our share to grow snowboarding in China in the future.”

Since its inaugural edition in 2010, Air + Style Beijing has evolved and sharpened its profile on the international circuit of must-see / must-ride Big Air events.

 

The well oiled organisation machinery guarantees an unmatched in-city snowboarding experience for the audience. Solid pre-organization, a good information flow to the spectators up front and on site are key.

A good live event experience integrates well executed TV content combined with explanatory graphics and good announcers. 

“In China added experience such as a light and laser show are nice. A hands-on learning experiences is something we want to increase in the future. For the riders, a lot of program around the event is not necessary as everyone wants to focus, but a great after party makes a difference.”

 

For the athletes a few things play a key factor, like a safe, solid and good ramp experience, an experienced judge team, a well oiled communication flow between all major parties and good hospitality.

For Air + Style, the best part is to put a smile on everyones face, the audience, athletes and the team.  Air Style has a strong family style team and spirit where everyone is happy to meet up again each year. 

 

Tried and tested, here some insights on the fine mechanics:

“The hardest part working in different markets is to understand the different cultures and to try to adjust to local markets. Therefore its also hard to understand the needs of the audience, but we have

strong partners who help us with this.”

 

2017 Beijing Air + Style FIS Snowboard World Cup  / Air + Style Beijing 2016 the years before

LOCATION     

2017: Workers Stadium Beijing

2011-2016: Birds Nest Beijing 

2010: Beijing Sports Stadium

 

SINCE WHEN       

2010

 

PRICE PURSE   

EUR 75.000,-

 

GOOD TO KNOW AS SPECTATOR      

Air + Style offers spectators to watch a great international and Chinese riders field (from 2017 Men and Women), and training sessions are held the weekend before at Secret Garden Resort. 

 

FINALS RECAP 2017 Beijing Air + Style FIS Snowboard World Cup

 

 

 

Banana Open

After some time in the making, a fresh Chinese event format popped up in 2017. The Banana Open entered the scene with a Slopestyle blockbuster format with a neat production appeal.

“We are committed to building China’s top snowboarding event IP, inviting more pro riders to participate in the Banana Open. This will provide more training opportunities for the Chinese snowboarders.

Our goal is to push the landmark Chinese events to the international market, and expand our influence.”

The Banana Open has set its sights firmly on long term gains. Despite the hardship of taking the first steps and facing a tough period of placing continuous investments, this is a survival test and challenge.

The Banana Open organisers face it with a handful of other companies that set out to create memorable snowboarding events with their pioneering spirit.

 

LOCATIONS

Multiple

 

SINCE WHEN

2017.12.1 Banana Open - Zhangjiakou

2017.7.22 Banana Open - Harbin 

2017.2.25 Banana Open - Changbai Mountain

 

PRICE PURSE

Banana Open - Zhangjiakou  USD 120.000 ,-

Banana Open - Harbin  USD 50.000,-

Banana Open - Changbai Mountain USD 120.000,-

 

BANANA OPEN 2017 RECAP

 

 

This series has been developed with the support of the China SNOWboard Association, special thanks to the CSbA President and China’s Pioneer of Snowboarding Wang Lei.