TRR - TICKET TO RIDE |
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| Introducing the TTR
Snowboarding since it’s conception has been a creative activity. In the early days, before mass production of boards, that creativity could be seen in customizing home made boards. As these home made models improved so did the technology and commercial board production started, that creativity continued to shine. From design to graphics, riding styles to riding standards, or the lifestyle aspect both on and off the mountain, snowboarding developed at it’s own exponential rate. Initially it was not only ignored, it was even banned from most resorts. It grew a ‘youth against establishment’ vibe from many of its participants who refused to adhere to the rules and regulations that were often thrust upon it. As it grew in popularity, riding level and number of proponents, small contests started to appear. It brought snowboards from many nations together to resorts for the riders to compete in pipes, which were little more than a ditch in the slopes. While these early contests brought together the best riders of the time, they have little in common to snowboard contests of today. However, they did entrench the spirit of travel, fraternity, friendship and the progression of snowboarding. As snowboarding’s popularity boomed in the late 80’s and early 90’s, it became one of the fastest growing sports in the world. This explosion saw it thrust into media’s limelight, and contests grew larger, sponsorship interest became greater and organized contest circuits followed. While these contest served a purpose, the rules and regulations that started to be imposed on it also started to restrict its creativity - by enlarge confining it to a halfpipe. The progression of snowboarding, however, never stopped, if anything it accelerated. While the federations controlling the contest circuits seemed to be oblivious to it’s progression, many independent event organizers were not. While the contest circuits became stale, resulting in most of the top riders boycotting the tours, the independent organizers were listening to riders, developing diverse and technical riding structures and developing exciting formats and judging systems. The TTR is a progression of this movement. It brings together nine independent, rider respected events from around the world, encouraging progressive formats and impeccable riding infrastructure. The TTR is a movement back towards riders defining
what they want to ride, how the format should be and how they are
judged. It is about snowboarders determining their own future. It
is about seeing the best riders in the world riding the best infrastructure
out there in the most creative formats. The only question remaining is – who? |
The
Ticket to Ride (TTR) Series, launched on the 2nd of October last
year, has received extensive interest from the public, riders, media
and industry alike. But what exactly is the TTR and how does it
work? In its simplest form, the TTR is an industry and rider initiative
which links nine of the most respected independent snowboard events
Worldwide. Under the patronage of the sports most respected rider,
Terje Haakonsen, the Arctic Challenge opened it’s doors to qualification
places, or ‘Tickets to Ride’ the Arctic Challenge in Norway, in
April this year. 