The Red Bull Ultra Natural back country slope style event took place this past weekend on the steep back country slope of Baldface lodge British Colombia. This being the second time Red Bull puts on this event the riders came into the competition  with confidence towards the course, witch brought the level of competition up a notch apposed to standers set from last years competition. Fifteen of the worlds top back country riders were personally invited to battle on the course for first place and the title of "Years best back country Rider". Founder of the event and highly respected rider Travis Rice was quoted saying "weather and natural forces dictate when we ride, and while conditions were not ideal...". Rice would know best with his years if experience in the game. Clearly from what Rice has to say the weather was a big issue with the event. So the podium finishers along with having the score to get them their, were also adapting to the weather conditions better then other riders. Bryan Fox first time rider in the "Ultra Natural" series finished in third place with a solid score of 75.4, above him another veteran of the sport Nicolas Muller coming in second place with a score of 76.4. Bryan Fox getting into the event with the wild card spot was a real surprise he ended up on the podium.  Gigi Ruf with one of the best back country runs of all time finished in the top spot. Ruf run consisted of him landing all of his tricks with ease and sending one jump to a huge 125 ft. Ruf received a score 82.6 for the win over the 16 best back country riders in the world.

The Burton European Open has been taking place for the past week in Laax Switzerland for the past week. The slope style final rapped up today after a full week of vigorous competing.  Laax mountain set up a unique  course three rail features three jumps and a small half pipe at the end of the course, the creativity of course lead the the riders coming out with very high scoring runs. Sebastien Toutant a Team Canada rider came out on the podium with third place and a cash prize of $4,000, Toutant finished hit run with a score of 90. Beating Fellow Canadian Team Rider, Mark McMorris placed only 4 points ahead of Toutant with a 94, McMorris walked away from the competition with a cash prize of $6,000. Finally, the favorite to win Torstein Horgmo placed first at the top of the podium with a perfect run of a 100. On the Jump line Horgmo walked away from the competition with a huge cash prize of $10,000 and is now the top ranked slope style snowboarder in the world. Horgmo recently winning first in U.S Xgames Big Air event, makes it no surprise he could bring his jumping skills to the course in Laax.