‘Big Air at Fenway’ coming to Boston in February

BOSTON – Mayor Martin J. Walsh, along with Fenway Sports Management (FSM) and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), announced that Fenway Park will host a big air freeskiing and snowboarding U.S. Grand Prix tour event Feb. 11-12, 2016. “Big Air at Fenway” will feature a 140-foot high snow ramp, taller than the light towers at the ballpark, and bring in athletes from around the world including Olympic and world champions.

“Boston is home to some of the best sports teams in the country, and this winter we are proud to host the top talent in big air snowboarding and free-skiing for the U.S. Grand Prix tour at Fenway Park,” said Boston’s Mayor Walsh. “It is historic events like this that allow us to showcase our city to the world.”

The 2011 big air event in Denver’s Civic Park (photo: Tom Kelly).

As a U.S. Grand Prix and part of the FIS World Cup tour, Big Air at Fenway will bring in many of the top competitors including Olympic slopestyle skiing gold medalist Joss Christensen, slopestyle snowboarding Olympic champion Sage Kotsenburg and Olympian Ty Walker, who helped announce the event at Fenway Park.

“Big Air at Fenway is the latest in our efforts to bring dynamic and exciting events into Fenway Park for our fans and community all year round,” said Fenway Sports Management President Sam Kennedy. “This type of event is a first-of-its-kind for the ballpark and provides will appeal to a younger and broader audience at Fenway Park.”

In big air, snowboarders and skiers execute a single trick off a ramp similar to those seen on slopestyle courses. Men’s and women’s big air snowboarding will debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Men’s big air snowboarding has been part of the FIS World Championships since 2003. It was added to the World Cup tour for women a year ago, with Walker winning the opener at a city stadium event in Istanbul.

“Big Air at Fenway will be one of the largest events in the 20-year history of the U.S. Grand Prix,” said USSA Chief Marketing Officer Michael Jaquet. “It will draw some of the most talented athletes in big air, including a brilliant group of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls. It will be a great show for spectators at Fenway Park and watching at home.”

Big Air at Fenway will air live on NBCSN, with men’s and women’s snowboarding events on Thursday, Feb. 11 and men’s and women’s freeskiing events on Friday, Feb. 12, plus a full highlight show on NBC Saturday, Feb. 13. Tickets for the Big Air at Fenway will go on sale on Nov. 12 at 12:00 p.m. For more details about Big Air at Fenway, including ticket information, please visit the Red Sox website.

Release courtesy of USSA