The World Rookie finals are going down this weekend in Ischgl, Austria.

Air & Style and the World Rookie Tour partnered up and award a wildcard for the first Air & Style event of the 2013/14 season to the 2013 World Rookie Champion. Many big names have made their way through the World Rookie Tour and are now part of the top pro riders field.

"We have a long time partnership with the World Rookie Tour which helped many talented rising stars to get invitations to world class events." said Air & Style founder Andrew Hourmont visiting the event. "That's why we will be happy to award the 2013 World Rookie Champion with a wildcard to the first Air & Style event of the next winter season" 

These are some of past years World Rookie Champions and winners of the Air & Style Ring of Glory:

Peetu Piiroinen (Air & Style Munich 2011 and Innsbruck 2012 Champion & World Rookie Champion 2004) 

Ulrick Badertscher (Air & Style Beijing Champion 2011 & winner at the World Rookie Fest in Livigno 2006)

Yuki Kadono (Air & Style Beijing Champion 2012 & 2nd place World Rookie Finals 2012)

To the riders of the 20th anniversary Air & Style,

Whether you were able to attend or not, my entire Air & Style crew and I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your involvement with Air & Style over our storied 20 year history.  These first 2 decades of Air & Style have been 20 years of great moments, great friendships, great emotions and a major part of snowboarding's history.  The incomparable list of names on our start list, dating back to 1994 truly are the who's who of snowboarding and I cant tell you how honored we are to have been a part of this alongside you.  I know that if the nearly half million fans that have witnessed your art from the stands over these 2 decades could join me in this letter, they would thank you just as ardently as we are.
This past weekend's event was not only a celebration of 20 years of the Air & Style event, but it was also a celebration of where the sport of snowboarding has come from, journey'd through, and is now heading.  Seeing Yuki Kadono and Mike Basich hitting the same kicker at the same event is a snapshot of the amazing story we've written together and I hope each one of you recognize as clearly as we do the important role you've played in this evolution.
We have built this event on input from you, the greatest snowboarders in the world and the greatest fans any sport has ever had.  We will stay true to this tradition, and look forward to providing you the perfect stage for showcasing your talents for at least another 20 years!

Very Sincerely,

Andrew Hourmont and the entire Air & Style family

Marco Grilc is the champion of the burn Style Session!

Congrats!

More than 50 riders arrived in Innsbruck this week to kick of the 20th season anniversary of the legendary Air & Style in Innsbruck. Today was the first day of practice with perfect conditions both setup and weather and everything is set to make it the most EPIC event of the season.

Boardbags will define the look and feel of the Innsbruck airport in the next week. More than 50 riders from all over the world will travel to Innsbruck and will compete at this year’s 20th anniversary edition of the Billabong Air & Style 2013. Their mission: to stomp the best possible tricks amongst the most legendary rider’s field a contest has ever seen.

X-Games medalists Mark McMorris, Maxence Parrot, Ståle Sandbech and Seppe Smits fly in directly from the US. A total of 11 X-Games winners are on their way to this year’s Billabong Air & Style in Innsbruck – most of them carry a big bag of new tricks to continue the Triple-Mania which started at the A&S Beijing.

Next to the Style king and the winner of the Billabong Air & Style this year’s World Snowboard Tour Big Air champion will also be crowned in Innsbruck. It’s the last 6star Big Air event of the ongoing season and a total of 12 riders could take home the Big Air crown. Highest stakes are on Maxence Parrot, currently leading the field and this year’s big surprise.

Copyright: Raiffeisenbank/fotowerk.at

Christine Hofer, managing director of the Raiffeisen Club Tirol, presents the Ring of Glory. Next to her Air & Style founder Andrew Hourmont and Mathias Weißenbacher, who instantly got 4th at the Air & Style in Beijing. The Ring of Glory will be showcased in the Raiffeisen bank until the event.

All tickets to the Billabong Air & Style save you pure cash. You'll get a 50 % discount on lift passes (1 or 2 day passes) at Axamer Lizum or Nordkette when you display your Air & Style ticket (1 or 2 day ticket). 

Nordkette 1 day-lift pass: € 17,50 instead of € 35,00
Axamer Lizum 1 day-lift pass: € 16,75 instead of € 33,50

Nordkette 2 days-lift pass: € 33,25 instead of € 66,50
Axamer Lizum 2 days-lift pass: € 33,50 instead of € 67,00

Check all ticket categories here and get ready for your perfect snowboard weekend!

It's been 20 years since it all started. Out of a passionate snowboard community grew what is now world renowned as one of the greatest snowboard events on the planet.  The Wimbledon of Snowboarding! Truly this event was created alongside the riders and especially the fans, and from the bottom of our hearts we want to say THANK YOU! This said we are preparing the biggest Air & Style Weekend in history consisting of 2 days, 4 Bands, more than 50 riders,  3 contests within the weekend and loads of thrills and surprises! This legendary setup that will not be repeated in the coming decade (if ever) leaves no wishes un-granted and promises a once in a lifetime experience that snowboarders and fans around the world will choke with jealousy that you were there, and they weren't!  

Lastly, as if to reward the faithful crowd from last year, Mother Nature has decided to reward this year's event with much warmer weather for both nights.  Like 20 degrees warmer! On top of that, the powder she dropped this weekend will continue until the Air & Style weekend.  Mother Nature is clearly excited about this epic event, so mark the 1st and 2nd of February in your calendar, snatch up your tickets right away, grab your gear, boards and friends and be a part of the greatest celebration that snowboarding has ever seen!!!

Music Line Up:

Fanta 4 Mac Miller Kraftklub Left Boy

Riders Line Up:

Innsbruck will play host to the Billabong Air & Style Innsbruck-Tirol, where the sports’ icons will join with the world’s current champion riders to show what they can do.

A total of 44 top riders, including twelve past Air & Style winners, will show off a pyrotechnic display of tricks and style doing their best to heap on the recognition that this most traditional of global snowboard contests, now celebrating its 20th season, deserves. All Air & Style winners of the contest’s early days will also be honored in a very special ceremony in the stadium where it all started.

Air & Style founder Andrew Hourmont: “The history of snowboarding has never seen such a crazy line-up, and one that won’t be repeated any time soon, if ever. The fact that the legends of the sport are still turning up to battle is a testament to our reputation among riders. The fans can look forward to two days of snowboard history in the best of Air & Style tradition, topped off with music, shows and parties – it’s our way to say thanks for 20 years of enthusiasm and loyalty.”

Four famous bands will rock the Ö3-Stage on the 20th Anniversary of the Billabong Air & Style Innsbruck-Tirol!