Elegant jumps through the air, snow and all, in the middle of a big city.
Shiroi Koibito PARK AIR 2016 TEXT/KAGEHIRO WATANABE, PHOTO/HIROFUMI TATSUKIIn early February, a massive snow slope appears in Block 3 of Odori Park, right in the heart of Sapporo. Standing 24m tall, 60m long, with a maximum slope of 39 degrees, this full-scale jump platform hosts ski and snowboard competitions timed to coincide with the Snow Festival. With the city skyline as their backdrop, competitors soaring through the air create a sight that stands out even among the many spectacles of the Snow Festival, drawing the fixed attention every year of tourists and locals who happen to pass by alike.
Shiroi Koibito PARK AIR once served as a qualifying round for "TOYOTA BIG AIR," one of the world's largest snowboard big air contests, drawing top riders from around the globe. BIG AIR ended in 2014, but the jump contest held during the Snow Festival continues on.
Competitors range from professionals to amateurs, with categories for elementary and junior high school students too. The array of spin tricks unfolding right before your eyes is thoroughly impressive. The night session, when riders perform back-to-back tricks under vivid lighting, is especially popular. With Sapporo reportedly considering a bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics, attention on Shiroi Koibito PARK AIR is likely to keep growing.
Shiroi Koibito PARK AIR 2016
Dates:
Feb 5–11, 2016
www.snowfes.com
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