After months of planning and weeks of snow shaping, the Perfect Hip is ready for action. The Swatch Nines event in 2024 promises to showcase some of the most visually spectacular features in snow sports, continuing the tradition of creating dream snowparks on the slopes of Schilthorn, Switzerland.
By the Numbers
- 4 feature tiers
- 16 days of build time
- 18 days of snow collection prior to the build
- 21 snowpark builders
- 21 meters – height of the hip landing
- 2515 m.a.s.l. – elevation of the venue
- 60000 cubic meters of snow
The Swatch Nines setup for 2024 includes the Swatch riders’ zone, featuring a snow bar, a hikable rail line, and wooden features for BMX. “The Portal” offers a tunnel-like element with a cross-slope transfer gap and a rail feature suspended above the channel. The central element, “Perfect Hip 2.0,” boasts a 10-meter-high takeoff, a 21-meter-high double-sided landing, and seven different takeoff options for riders. The Transition Playground wraps up the venue with a collection of bowls, volcanoes, and unique transfers for creative riding.
Creators’ Cabin: Designing a Dreamland
The course features are the result of intense collaboration between athletes, designers, and park builders. From initial sketches in October 2023 to the final design, input from riders like Jesper Tjäder, Fridtjof Tischendorf, and Alex Hackel has shaped the setup.
Public Day: Saturday, the 13th of April
On the Public Day, Schilthorn welcomes the general public to witness the Swatch Nines action firsthand. Visitors can watch the athlete roster showcase their skills on the event setup, providing a memorable experience for all attendees.
“Being involved in the ideation process for the Swatch Nines course is absolutely insane.”
Alex Hackel (SKI, USA):
“It feels unrealistic to be a part of something going from a pencil drawing to a life-sized snow feature.”
Fridtjof “Fridge” Tischendorf (SNB, NOR):
“We look at it from a sports perspective first and design second.”
Nico Zacek, Swatch Nines founder:
“The biggest reward for me is when I see the riders performing, pushing the limit and having the best time on this playground.”
Sebastian Gehwolf, Course Designer:
The Swatch Nines 2024 course preview offers a glimpse into the creativity and collaboration behind one of the most anticipated snow sports events of the year. From the design process to the final features, this event promises to push the limits of what’s possible in freestyle snowboarding and skiing. Don’t miss out on the action at Schilthorn this April!
