X Games in Tignes

Featuring 150 of the world's best riders, a festival atmosphere, burn's Real Snow Backcountry AND perfect weather conditions, X Games 2012 in Tignes stood out as one of the hottest events of the season.

The burn Units were a big presence in Tignes with Arthur Longo, Mathieu Crepel, Stale Sandbech and Gigi Rüf each competing in an event. Gigi Rüf, in particular, picked up a silver medal in the inaugural Real Snow Backcountry competition, brought to the X Games for the first time by burn.

“Every rider in Real Snow is someone I look up to in terms of creativity and style,” said Gigi Rüf. “The best thing about Real Snow Backcountry was being given the opportunity to prove it.”

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Canadian Shaun White’s double gold (Superpipe and Slopestyle) was proof to critics that he is truly a force to be reckoned with. After a three year absence from the Slopestyle podium, White’s switch backside 10, cab 12 and back 12 dubs were technically brilliant but left the crowd wondering whether they were worth the full 97 points awarded by the judges. Finishing fourth, burn Unit and TTR World Champion Stale Sandbech narrowly missed a podium spot in the same event. The jury is still out on whether Sandbech should’ve found himself a little higher in the final rankings.

Controversy aside, the 2012 X Games Tignes were brimming with creativity, style and finesse. We can only hope next year offers the same level of ‘x-cellence’.

Take a look at these photo highlights.

Highlights from Winter X Games, 2012 Tignes, Part 1.

Highlights from Winter X Games, 2012 Tignes, Part 2.

Highlights from Winter X Games, 2012 Tignes, Part 3.