“The best of the best skiers and riders from across the globe are set to return to Unbound Main Park 1/6-1/8 for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Slopestyle and Halfpipe World Cups. Cheer on our athletes slopeside as they compete for a spot on the U.S. Team in Beijing. All the action culminates on Saturday night with the U.S. Team Nomination Ceremony & Firework Show.”
The world’s top skiers and snowboarders have converged on Mammoth Mountain for a weekend of competition as the iconic California resort pays host The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix (Olympic preliminary event) culminating Saturday with the nomination ceremony for Team USA. Super fired up to watch all the action. Find complete information on the event below:
Event FAQs
What is the U.S. Grand Prix Event?
The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix is an elite level snowboard and freeski FIS World Cup event featuring the world’s best freeski and snowboard athletes competing in both halfpipe and slopestyle competition. The event is organized and hosted in partnership with Mammoth Mountain and U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA.
Does the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix have anything to do with the Olympics?
Mammoth’s ties to U.S. Olympic Freeski and Snowboard Team selections are second to none. Mammoth has hosted the Grand Prix more than a dozen times, and has been fortunate enough to name our Olympic athletes three times including in 1988 – the first year the Olympics hosted snowboard halfpipe as an official event. Mammoth also hosted the final qualifying event before the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games and will host the final events this winter.
During the 2016-17 season, U.S. Ski & Snowboard broke the mold of the Olympic qualification process by hosting an Olympic selection event the season prior to the 2018 Pyeongchang Games as a result of athlete feedback following the 2014 Olympic selection process. Essentially, this made Mammoth the first and last stop on the road to Pyeongchang for U.S. Freeski and Snowboard athletes.
How long has U.S. Snowboard and Freeski Athletes been training at Mammoth Mountain?
The U.S Snowboard Team has been utilizing Mammoth’s amazing terrain and facilities since early 2001, when halfpipe coach Pete del Giudice took Ross Powers and Kelly Clark to Mammoth to train prior to the 2002 Salt Lake Games. It is evident Mammoth had something to offer as both Ross and Kelly went on to win Olympic halfpipe gold medals.
In recent years, while many of us are swapping skis and snowboards for bikes and beaches, the athletes of the U.S. Snowboard and Freeski Teams are firing on all cylinders at Mammoth Mountain for spring training camp. As an official training site of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, members of the U.S. Freeski and Snowboard Pro and Rookie Teams swarm to the acclaimed Unbound Terrain Park for weeks of full-tilt training.
When/where is everything happening?
The event will take place at Main Lodge with contests in Main Park below the chair line of Unbound Express (Chair 6). The sponsor village will be at the base of the competition venue, right off the Main Lodge sundeck, between Broadway Express (Chair 1) and Unbound Express (Chair 6). The schedule of events is posted above.
Where should I stay?
Mammoth offers slopeside accommodations at Mammoth Mountain Inn – the closest accommodations to the competition. Check out other Mammoth Lodging Collection options and book online.
How do I get there?
The free ESTA Red Line mountain shuttle will get you up Main Lodge during the day. You can take one of the other ESTA lines from town, or park at The Village and get on at stop #18 across from Yama Ramen.
Where can I park?
Free parking is available near Main Lodge along Minaret Road between The Mill and Main Lodge, with a free parking shuttle operating every 10 mins. Paid Preferred Parking is available so you can be steps away from the Main Lodge and contest venue.
Will any trails/parks be closed to the public during the event?
Yes, Main Park plus the 22′ halfpipe will be closed. Terrain parks that will remain open for public use are Forest Trail and all Playgrounds, which offer a wide range of terrain features for all ability levels
When to watch?
Stream event finals live on Peacock and catch the Sunday broadcast on CNBC. 