The best 240 snowboarders from approximately 30 nations have traveled to Oslo, Norway for the World Snowboarding Championships. This week, February 10-19, they'll partake in one of the most highly respected contests in freestyle snowboarding, which takes place just once every four years. Surrounded by fellow riders, friends, and peers, these talented athletes will compete for the acclaimed title of world champion. Male and female winners will be named in the halfpipe and slopestyle competitions. And the last weekend will feature a massive quarterpipe event in the legendary Holmenkollen ski jumping arena.

"By and for snowboarders" is the common theme surrounding the event, since it was founded by Ticket to Ride (TTR) and the World Snowboard Federation. This aspect garners admiration for the event among the snowboard community, given that many contests aren't carried out the way that the majority of riders would prefer.

"The title of it isn't as important as, I think, the fact of something big happening," says Russian-born rider Iouri Podladtchikov, one of the top halfpipe riders on the scene today.



Half a million dollars in prize money might also be a tad important. But more than anything, the athletes are pumped to be riding a world-class setup against the best snowboarders in the world.

Louie Vito also shared his thoughts on the event, "I'm stoked that someone really stepped up to make a more official World Championship. I mean, you have different titles you can win throughout the year and there are other world champs, but it's really rare to find everyone at one place."

With the support of top riders and snowboard federations, the WSC serves as a great display of what snowboarding is and will be in the future.

Qualifying rounds start today, Tuesday, Febuary 14. Stay tuned to GrindTV for results and recaps.

Photo courtesy of WSC/Eleonora Raggie, Rider Chas Guldemond