Video: Ride the Alps with Ramon Hunziker - Episode 1
During the first stages of the 2014 search for freeride lines in the Swiss Alps, Ramon Hunziker was set back by the snow still laying fresh in the mountains. Eager to ride, the first of four episodes follows the seasoned Swiss athlete and his crew to the French Alps for the Chatel Bike Festival.
For those who ski, it doesn’t get much better than finding fresh powder in the Alps. For mountain bikers the goal isn't much different as they search for the chance to experience flawless, untouched freeride lines. But do these kinds of conditions even exist in the Alps? In 2013, Ramon set out to answer this question. Not completely satisfied with the results, this season, the search continues. This four episode series shows the ups and downs of the project complete with some gnarly freeride action.
![Freeriding in the Alps]()
The 2014 season arrived with problems Ramon and his team couldn’t control: the heavy spring snowfall still covered many of the best lines in the Swiss Alps. Instead, Ramon and fellow riders Andreu Lacondeguy and Nico Vink jumped the board to ride some big jumps and freeride lines in the French Alps which turned out to be an epic start to the season.
The first episode of Ride the Alps shows the versatility of Ramon Hunziker and fellow team riders, Antoine Bizet of France and Kenny Smith of Canada, as they shred big jump lines as well as the bike park of Chatel. Between huge overshoots and even bigger crashes, the riders show what freeride mountain biking is all about.
Follow Ride the Alps next episode when Ramon discovers new lines in the mountains of Bern and Grisons.
![Freeriding in the Alps]()
For those who ski, it doesn’t get much better than finding fresh powder in the Alps. For mountain bikers the goal isn't much different as they search for the chance to experience flawless, untouched freeride lines. But do these kinds of conditions even exist in the Alps? In 2013, Ramon set out to answer this question. Not completely satisfied with the results, this season, the search continues. This four episode series shows the ups and downs of the project complete with some gnarly freeride action.
The 2014 season arrived with problems Ramon and his team couldn’t control: the heavy spring snowfall still covered many of the best lines in the Swiss Alps. Instead, Ramon and fellow riders Andreu Lacondeguy and Nico Vink jumped the board to ride some big jumps and freeride lines in the French Alps which turned out to be an epic start to the season.
The first episode of Ride the Alps shows the versatility of Ramon Hunziker and fellow team riders, Antoine Bizet of France and Kenny Smith of Canada, as they shred big jump lines as well as the bike park of Chatel. Between huge overshoots and even bigger crashes, the riders show what freeride mountain biking is all about.
Follow Ride the Alps next episode when Ramon discovers new lines in the mountains of Bern and Grisons.
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Member since Sep 2, 2013
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But after seeing all those edits from the Chatel Mountain Style I am kinda worried. I have been to Chatel and the region for many times over the years, I remember when they started to build on that side of the hill. I am also into Skiing and I know that nature has to pay a big price for our hobbies.
But that amount of building on a mountain is just over the top. I mean yeah, more attention for mountainbiking, we need to push the sport. But for a slopestyle (or Bigmountain or whatever) course which is not open for more riders during the season, this is plain destruction of nature. I know, you can always argue where to start, but watching that vid made me sad.
Especially for one big reason: That kind of building is counterproductive for trailbuilding on local trails. Outsiders that are not into Biking see the huge effort for events like Mountain Style and the way nature is formed for that purpose. Take that: The nature is formed!
Sorry, guys, I had to get that off my chest. I like the action and the progress of the sport.
But that is too much for me, it is a contradiction in Mountainbiking.
Cheers, the riding in the video is still awesome!
Only thing I don't get is, can't he speak english at all? Then how does he communicate with the other guys he rides with?
But again, I loved the video! Looking forward seeing the rest!