LAAX OPEN 2025: A Celebration of Snowboarding at its peak, for now

Words by Alba Pardo / Cover photo by Ángel Zorraquino

The LAAX OPEN is arguably the most awaited World Cup event of the season and the only one which has managed to hold the “cool” status for both riders and industry alike. The flawless and creative slopestyle course and the biggest halfpipe in the world are only part of the reason why the LAAX OPEN is the one event the best riders won’t miss.

The LAAX OPEN 2025 delivered an unforgettable showcase of snowboarding mastery, with both the halfpipe and slopestyle competitions pushing the sport’s boundaries under the breathtaking Swiss Alps. Iconic riders like Chloe Kim and Scotty James solidified their legacies while emerging stars Mia Brookes and Cameron Spalding proved, yet again, that they are the future of snowboarding.

You can have a deep dive into our special feature about the LAAX OPEN 10th anniversary or you can keep reading below to find out the highlights of this action-packed week.

Chloe Kim claimed her fifth LAAX halfpipe title

Under the sparkling night sky of Switzerland’s Crap Sogn Gion mountain, Chloe Kim made history once again, clinching her fifth LAAX OPEN halfpipe title. The 24-year-old U.S. snowboarder dazzled with a spectacular first run, featuring the groundbreaking cab double cork 1080 — the first ever landed by a woman in a snowboard halfpipe competition.

“This means so much to me,” Kim shared. “I really wanted to show you guys my cab double, so I’m so happy I was able to put it down.”

The progressive women’s halfpipe final also saw Maddie Mastro making history. Mastro’s second run included the first-ever combination of two double inverts in a single run, capped off with a frontside double cork 1080.

Korean phenom Gaon Choi rounded out the podium with a stunning performance, marking an inspiring comeback after her season-ending injury in 2024. Japanese riders dominated the remainder of the field, with Mitsuki Ono finishing fourth.

Scotty James goes back-to-back for fourth LAAX halfpipe victory

In the men’s halfpipe, Australia’s Scotty James demonstrated again why he’s regarded as one of the sport’s greatest. The 30-year-old’s second run featured a jaw-dropping combo switch mctwist Inyo a switch frontside triple cork 1440, a combination of a really classic old-school trick done switch and perfectly executed into a very technical trick earning, combined with his impressive run earned him his tenth World Cup victory.

“I really had to go for it tonight and work hard for it,” James admitted. “It might be one of my favourite wins of all time.”

James edged out Japan’s Ruka Hirano, and reigning Olympic champion Ayumu Hirano claimed third, while Yuto Totsuka narrowly missed the podium.
The up-and-coming New Zealander Campbell Mellives Ives also protagonized one of the most exciting moments of the evening with a very unusual backside double alley-oop rodeo 900 melon. 

Mia Brookes dominates the slopestyle on the eve of her 18th birthday

British teenage sensation Mia Brookes added another chapter to her incredible season by winning her first-ever LAAX OPEN slopestyle title. Brookes dazzled on a course that seamlessly blended technical precision and creativity.

“This is the best birthday present ever,” said Brookes, who turned 18 the day after her victory. “I love this course; it’s super fun and really hard.”

Brookes’ triumph extends her dominance this season, where she has already claimed three World Cup victories. Olympic champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott took second place while Japan’s Kokomo Murase secured third. Austrian legend Anna Gasser finished just off the podium in fourth.

Cameron Spalding continues the Canadian slopestyle legacy

Canada’s Cameron Spalding cemented his place as a rising star with a thrilling win in the men’s slopestyle final. Spalding edged out U.S. rider Red Gerard by just 0.41 points, while Germany’s Noah Viktor earned his first World Cup podium in third.

“I’m just always trying to have as much fun as possible,” Spalding said. “That’s when everything clicks for me.”

Spalding’s victory adds to Canada’s rich history at the LAAX OPEN, following in the footsteps of Mark McMorris, Max Parrot, and Sebastian Toutant. With two wins this season, Spalding now leads the slopestyle standings and trails only Japan’s Taiga Hasegawa in the overall FIS Park & Pipe rankings.

The spirit of LAAX: Freestyle, progression and community

The LAAX OPEN 2025 epitomized the spirit of snowboarding, celebrating innovation and camaraderie against the backdrop of a stunning 360° mountain panorama. With trailblazing performances from legends and rising stars alike, the event once again confirmed its status as one of the most prestigious stops on the FIS Snowboard World Cup tour.