Le Balme at the La Clusaz Resort in France has once again been transformed from its natural terraing of rolling hills and jagged peaks, into a superpark event thrown by the skiing icon, Candide Thovex. For 4 days, Candide has invited 25 top riders from around the world to come and session his park. And what is included in this terrain park? A 35-meter step down named Big Bertha, a 35-meter gap jump true table style, a 12-ft. high log stall, a massive 12-meter quarterpipe built like a castle, multiple rail gaps, and not seen since JP Auclair’s Propaganda days, a snow loop.
The sun was a nice counteracting force to the brisk french air, as most riders got their first look at the features. Slowly but surely, everyone warmed up and turned their speed checks into straight airs, and gradually into tricks. Loic Collomb Patton, Laurent Favre, JF Houle, Arnaud Kuegner, and a few others tried their luck on Big Bertha, some making it, others not. The quarterpipe was easily the most popular feature today, with riders slowly building their confidence throughout the day. Joe Schuster and Colby West worked their magic on the big gap jump, using a few tricks from their deep bags. Unfortunately the lop wasn’t ready today, but will be ready to rock tomorrow.
No doubt the rest of the weekend will hold some surprises and will see these elite riders step up their game and slay this course that the master frenchman has built. Stay tuned to Freeskier.com for more updates on what’s happening here in La Clusaz.
