Meet the freeskiers who will be taking to the Red Bull Playstreets around the historic Austrian resort of Bad Gastein on February 19.
Elias ‘Eli’ Ambühl (26/03/1992)
Home: Masein, Switzerland
When did you first try new-school skiing?
Years ago when I started new school skiing with my brother
Which is your home mountain?
Ober Tschappina, Switzerland
Do you have a favourite trick?
Actually I’ve got more than one!
Describe yourself in three words…
Extrovert, intelligent and good looking – Ha! Ha!
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
Let it snow!
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is a lot of fond memories because I got invited to join in this unique competition after winning the Austrian Freeski Open in 2009
Best results:
Bronze X Games Big Air 2010
Second at Freestyle.ch 2010
Winner Fridge Space, Budapest 2010
Breakthrough Athlete 2010
Home: Canandaigua, New York
When did you first try new-school skiing?
Very early. I was about nine years old.
Which is your home mountain?
Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
Do you have a favourite trick?
I like anything stylish.
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
Bionic knees
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is a cool contest with the proper "street flow" and not just another double flipping, big air competition. This contest has a fixed place in the free skiing world and points the way to the future of the sport.
Best results:
Best Male Performer in 2010
Markus ‘Makke’ Eder (30.11.1990)
Home: Luttach, Italy
When did you first try new-school skiing?
Before I started freeskiing, I was racing in random events for 10 years. By the time I was 14, I was bored of the whole racing scene but then I saw a freeskiing film called Happy Days. You could say it inspired me because I guess I watched it about 10 times a day until the new season began. So I started the new school skiing in 2005.
Which is your home mountain?
Val Senales, Italy
Do you have a favourite trick?
Bio 9 Mute Switch
Describe yourself in three words:
Keep… on… smiling!
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
Stay healthy all my life.
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is the most creative and challenging slopestyle competition in the middle of a crazy city.
Best results:
Second place Red Bull Line Catcher 2011
Winner Nine Knights Big Air & Best Jibber 2010
Winner Kumi Yama 2010
Paddy ‘Reggie’ Graham (01/15/1988)
Home: Sheffield, UK
When did you first try new-school skiing?
When I was 13 years old, because it was so cool.
What’s your home mountain?
Laax, Switzerland
Do you have a favourite trick?
Underflip Blunt
Describe yourself in three words…
Rock and Roll
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
I’d want to play guitar in a metal band
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is a unique competition with the best audience in Europe.
Best results:
British Champion
Winner Playstreets Rail Jam 2009
Henrik "E'Dollo" Harlaut (08/14/1991)
Home: Åre, Sweden
When did you first try new-school skiing?
It was 10 years ago, when Jacob Wester showed me how it should be done
Which is your home mountain?
Åre or Breckenridge
Do you have a favourite trick?
Bio 14 Blunt
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
Gold at the X-Games
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... Fun, Urban, Style, Flow
Best results:
Third overall AFP Men's Overall World Ranking 2010/2011
Seventh overall AFP Men's Big Air World Ranking 2010/2011
Fifth overall AFP Slopestyle Men's World Ranking 2010/2011
Home: Jindabyne, Australia
When did you first try new-school skiing?
About 12 years ago – and it was because I just found all that eternal racing was boring.
Which is your home mountain?
Breckenridge, Colorado
Do you have a favourite trick?
Hand drag 360 Cork
Describe yourself in three words…
Down-to-earth, happy and funny
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
That Vegimite should be available all over the world!
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is the event with the best after party – and one of the best new-school events of all.
Best results:
Winner Red Bull Playstreets 2009
Winner New Zealand Open 2010
Second Place JOI 2010
Fifth Place Winter X-Games, Slopestyle
When did you first try new-school skiing?
Nine years ago with my friend Tobi Reindl. We had a video cassette called Ski Movie – and we just copied what we saw.
Where do you go most?
Retallack, Chamonix, Arlberg
Describe yourself in three words…
Laid back, friendly, honest
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
No avalanches!
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is fun.
Home: Kitzbuehel, Austria
When did you first try new-school skiing?
15 years ago – and it’s been my passion ever since.
Which is your home mountain?
Mayrhofen, Penken Park
Do you have a favourite trick?
Flat 5
Describe yourself in three words…
I'm always happy.
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
Win Red Bull Playstreets 2011.
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is the coolest event ever.
Best results:
Two-time Austrian Champion
Fourth place Red Bull Playstreets
JF Houle (2/19/1986)
Home: Stoneham, Quebec, Canada
When did you first try new-school skiing?
When I was 14. It just suited me.
Which is your home mountain?
Whistler, BC, Canada
Do you have a favourite trick?
At the moment, it’s the Cork 7 Trucker
Describe yourself in three words…
Ambitious, enthusiastic, crazy
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
To stay healthy.
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is a unique event in a unique playground. I can’t wait to have fun with my friends here.
Best results:
Winner of the U.S. Open Slopestyle 2008
Winner Dew Tour Slopestyle 2009
Winner Open Rail Jam 2010
Winner LA Course Session Big Air 2010
Third Place Budapest Monster Big Air 2010
Home: Madison, Wisconsin, USA
When did you first try new-school skiing?
As a little boy. Besides, what else do you do in Wisconsin...?
Which is your home mountain?
Across the Alps, where there is powder snow
Do you have a favourite trick?
Bio 7
Describe yourself in three words…
I am adventurous, creative and a tramp.
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
World peace, one million dollars and endless craziness ...
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... an incredible opportunity to ski with good friends and hang out in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Best results:
A few small parts in films by Rage and Level 1
A couple of wins at various rail jam, slopestyle and big air
Home: Munich, Germany
When did you first try new-school skiing?
About 16 years ago. It looked exciting. I had a go and had the time of my life.
Which is your home mountain?
Mayrhofen, Austria
Do you have a favourite trick?
Backflip
Describe yourself in three words…
No idea. You'd have to ask my friends ... :-)
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
Many more wishes
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is one of the world’s most creative freeskiing competitions.
Best results:
Second place Sweet Rumble
Third place King of Style
Freeskier of the Year 2008 & 2010
IF3 European Rider of the Year 2010
Antti Ollila (12/25/1994)
Home: Rovaniemi, Finland
When did you first try new-school skiing?
At age six, but I can’t remember why. It probably looked the most fun.
Which is your home mountain?
Ruka, Finland, in winter, Ylläs, Finland, in spring
Do you have a favourite trick?
Underflip
Describe yourself in three words…
Enthusiastic, positive, happy
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
The whole season to stay healthy
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is not only one of the biggest contests in the season – it’s also unique. That is why it is so cool to be here.
Best results:
Winner Austrian open 2010 Slopestyle Rookies
Second place The North Face Ski Challenge Finals 2009, Slopestyle
Second place Fabulous Ruka Slope Style 2009
Third place Master of Ylläs 2010
Home: Åre, Sweden
Which is your home mountain?
Åre, Sweden
Do you have a favourite trick?
SW 7
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is the best contest ever!
Best results:
Second place Polish Freeski Open 2009
Third place Jon Olsson Invitational 2009
Winner Red Bull Playstreets 2008
Winner new school picnic 2008
Second place Parlino Swedish Open 2008
Winner Stockholm Big Air 2006
Fabio Studer (17/05/1986)
Home: Koblach, Austria
When did you first try new-school skiing?
16 years ago because I was fed up with racing. Plus I’m always happy when I’m on skis.
Which is your home mountain?
Arlberg, Austria
Do you have a favourite trick?
Cork 3
Describe yourself in three words…
Fun, helpful, cool :-)
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
Peace for the whole world.
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is probably the coolest contest. It is unique having a slopestyle course going around houses and streets. It’s completely crazy, but I love it.
Best results:
Winner Fiat Big Air Zakopane 2009
Third place Red Bull Playstreets 2009
Winner Kaunertal Opening 09
Winner Jib Da House, Kaprun 2009
Third Monster Park Invitational 2008
Third Austrian Open 07
Tobias ‘Tobi’ Tritscher (02/15/1990)
Home: Schladming, Austria
When did you first try new-school skiing?
2003 – I was totally blown away when I saw a few guys going off piste and trying out small jumps and backflips.
Which is your home mountain?
Absolute Park, Austria
Do you have a favourite trick?
Cork 7 Trail
Describe yourself in three words…
Cooperative, fair, a perfectionist
If we could grant you one wish, what would it be?
Forever young, forever healthy.
Finish the sentence: Red Bull Playstreets for me... is the most spectacular event ever.
Best results:
Winner Total Fight Andorra
Second Red Bull Playstreets 2009
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