Meiringen staged international freestyle World Cup events for the first time in 1988, and since then the world’s top snowboarders and freestyle skiers have come to this winter wonderland to train. Leisure skiers and riders soon followed, for word quickly spread about the area’s perfect conditions, long runs, stylish slides and cool jumps. Haslital became a cult destination. In 1999, the region staged the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships; now there’s no looking back. Meiringen is now also hosting FIS World Cup races in ski cross, a freestyle event that will feature as an Olympic discipline for the first time at the winter games at Vancouver in 2010.

Head-to-head

Ski cross is just like snowboard cross, but on alpine skis. The competition consists of a series of knockout- style races; four skiers compete in each round head-to-head, on a course that incorporates banks, jumps, rollers and other elements. The next World Cup event will be held from 12 to 14 March 2010, in the Meiringen-Hasliberg ski area.

In the spectacular Alpen tower Team Race, teams of skiers, snowboarders and Telemark skiers vie over seven hours to complete the most runs from the Alpen tower to Mägisalp. Party atmosphere and sore muscles guaranteed.