World’s top freeskiers descend on picturesque Bad Gastein seeking glory
A quaint ski village with 16th-century architecture, Wes Anderson-esque aesthetics, a waterfall backdrop, steep streets and frosted peaks towering high above: Red Bull PlayStreets returns to the mountain village of Bad Gastein in the Austrian Alps. On 9 and 10 February, the world's top freeskiers will compete for glory on one of the most beautiful and unique urban slopestyle courses.
Red Bull PlayStreets takes place in the Austrian spa and ski destination of Bad Gastein in the High Tauern mountains, located roughly 400 km southwest of the capital, Vienna, and 100 km south of Salzburg.
After a four-year hiatus, the global freeski scene will descend on the streets of the Austrian resort town that will be transformed into an unlikely slopestyle course for the world's best.
Returning with a completely new setup and route, the ninth edition of Red Bull PlayStreets is set to bring fans closer to the action and deliver a show like no other around the steep streets, the stunning 16th-century architecture and the surrounding frosted peaks towering high above.
From four-time X Games gold medallist Nick Goepper to recent Laax Open champion Andri Ragettli and Olympic gold medallist Sarah Hoefflin, the 2023 riders list at Red Bull PlayStreets is stacked.
American Goepper edged Sweden's Olympic slopestyle bronze medallist Tjäder in the last final in 2019, while in-form Scottish skier Kirsty Muir is one of four women taking on the challenging course.
Training starts on Thursday 9 February, followed by the Best Trick Session and award ceremony, with the qualification runs on the afternoon of 10 February ahead of the Friday evening finals and the Hotel Selina after-party.
Red Bull PlayStreets 2023 freeskiers
Men
Nick Goepper (USA), Matej Svancer (Austria), Jesper Tjäder (Sweden), Hunter Henderson (USA), Nico Porteous (NZ), Max Moffatt (Canada), Simo Peltola (Finland), Valentin Morel (Switzerland), Lukas Mullauer (Austria), Finn Bilous (NZ), Ryan Stevenson (USA), Andri Ragettli (Switzerland), Kim Gubser (Switzerland), Thibault Magnin (Spain), Ralph Welponer (Italy), Elias Syrja (Finland), Jakob Gessner (Germany), Chris McCormick (Great Britain), Edouard Therriault (Canada), Leo Landro (Norway)
Women
Anastasia Tatalina (Russia), Kirsty Muir (UK), Lara Wolf (Austria), Sarah Hoefflin (Switzerland)