Some of the world’s best snowboarders will be shredding the half-pipe at Winsport this weekend, as Snow Rodeo returns for a second year to Calgary in one of the final stops on the World Cup circuit.

Competitors from 11 different countries took part in the qualifiers on Feb. 9, heading into a must-be-seen night finals scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 10.

Dustin Heise, CEO of Canada Snowboard, said that the weekend of competition was an opportunity for Calgarians interested in the sport of snowboarding to see some of Canada’s top athletes competing on the world stage including Jenna Walker, Lily-Ann Ulmer, Lucas Briggs, Liam Gill, and Ryan Vo.

“I mean to have a facility like this right in the city and just so close to the downtown core, and all of the people of Calgary just being able to walk right up to the viewing area right at the base of the halfpipe, it just makes that great atmosphere,” said Heise.

“The energy and is so incredible, the the vibe is just incredible, and the positivity that’s coming out from everybody from the athletes, from the fans, from the coaching and from all the officials, it’s just such an incredible environment.”

One of the benefits to the Snow Rodeo, as opposed to other World Cup events, is the accessibility for fans to get right up to the action—and for free.

Snow Rodeo is the fourth and final half-pipe competition for the season, which means a close battle between athletes will be decided on Saturday night said Heise.

“They’ll honour this season’s top athletes with the crystal globes, and so this is the world’s best right here in Calgary. Everyone’s here, and it’s time for Canada to show the world what we’ve got,” said Heise.

Another major benefit to the competition this year, he said, was the weather.

Unlike last year, which saw cold temperatures, and at times heavy winds that delayed the competitors from completing runs, this year’s temperatures have been the perfect balance between creating good snow conditions and keeping athletes happy, said Heise.

“The feedback from the athletes has been incredible. I’d say off the charts, for what was leading up to such a warm winter to this point, and then to have it all come together right now,” he said.

“The feedback on the halfpipe is it’s amazing. It’s really amazing. So what that leads to is some incredible tricks, and you’re going to see the world’s best be able to pull out the very best in themselves as well.”

Competition resumes on Saturday evening at 7 p.m., and can be viewed from the base of the Winsport half-pipe located to the west of the day lodge.

Photos from the Snow Rodeo World Cup qualifications