The North Face Frontier Freeride World Qualifier events kicked off today at The Remarkables ski area in Queenstown.
More than 80 skiers and snowboarders enjoyed calm conditions and blue skies as they battled for top scores on the course venue in Shadow Basin.
Today's competition is sanctioned as a two-star level event on the Freeride World Qualifier Tour.
The tour is designed to develop the talent and skills of up-and-coming athletes whose ultimate goal is to qualify for the prestigious Freeride World Tour. The score system is based on the star ranking of the qualifying events.
Over the course of its 12-year history, The North Face Freeski Open (previously The North Face Frontier) has acted as a stepping stone for several Kiwi riders to qualify for the World Tour including Sam Smoothy, Charlie Lyons, Sam Lee and Janina Kuzma.
Wanaka's Craig Murray, the 2016 Freeride Junior Tour Champion, started his run with a 720 on the wind lip at the top of the course and then put together a fast and fluid run right to the bottom of the course for the day's top score of 94.67.
The men's snowboard division saw another Kiwi top the podium with Rupert Smith in first place on 80.00 after a clean run with plenty of airs and grabs.
Marlo Bromley (NZ) recovered from a small mistake at the top of the course to charge his line and claim second place with 78.00 points. France's Alexandre Alfano finished in third place with a score of 76.33.
Kiwi Genevieve King topped the women's snowboard division with a fluid run right down the fall line landing solid airs along the way to score 79.00.
The USA's Christina Bruno put together a smooth run for second place on 70.00 with Randa Shahin (USA) rounding out the podium in third place on 60.00.
The four-star event will run on the next suitable weather day, likely to be Wednesday.
Newshub.