The Season Ended With a Bang in the Rip Off Session

Last week, Sven Thorgren’s Rip Off Session returned to Kläppen Snowpark as part of Spring Sessions, and it’s safe to say the event is finding its stride.

Thorgren isn’t just the name behind the event; he’s a big part of why it works. A rider known for his unmistakable style and long-standing presence at the top of the game, he set the tone all weekend. One moment in particular made serious noise beyond Kläppen: a massive back rodeo 7 nosegrab over the entire pyramid feature, a hit that’s been making waves online and capturing exactly what the session is about: going big under the fireworks.

What started as a laid-back, rider-driven gathering quickly evolved into a heavy, explosive session. The concept remains simple: bring together a tight crew of invited riders, build a park that encourages creativity, and let snowboarding do the talking.

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This year’s edition stepped things up. A bigger setup, more riders, and a packed park created the kind of energy that’s hard to manufacture. Sessions ran across three formats: Best Style, Best Trick, and Highest Air, keeping things loose but still giving riders something to push for.

Norway’s Øyvind Krikhus didn’t just take the overall men’s title, he also put down one of the heaviest tricks of the weekend: a never-been-done Switch Backside Rodeo 16 melon, raising the bar and walking away with Best Trick as well. On the women’s side, Mia Brookes matched that dominance, claiming both overall and Best Trick.

Style awards went to Halldór Helgason and Tess Coady, while Hanna Karrer and Mille Kårström sent it highest.

Beyond the results, the real takeaway is the atmosphere. The format leaves room for personality, something that often gets lost in more structured competitions. Riders hang, test gear, lap the park, and then step it up when it counts. Add a night session with lights, music, and fireworks, and it lands somewhere between a jam session and a live show.

There’s also a clear effort to expand the concept. The addition of the Lip Off Session, a banked slalom built around the halfpipe, adds another layer and hints at where this could go next.

Rip Off Session isn’t trying to replace anything. But it does tap into something snowboarding has been missing at times: events that feel like they’re built for riders first, with the audience along for the ride.