All Images: Joachim Clausen Hansen
Summer doesn't mean the skiing has to stop. Look no further than the Scandinavian Team Battle. One of FREESKIER's favorite parties in skiing is back again for another year of freestyle fire. On the green dry slope of CopenHill, located in Copenhagen, Denmark, seven teams of two from around the globe will go head-to-head for eternal glory.
Led by Denmark's Jakob Ebskamp, the event has cemented itself in freeski culture over the last few years. Officially recognized as the world's largest ski event on an artificial surface, the Scandi Team Battle is certainly in a niche of its own, and that's just how Ebskamp wanted it.
“The [Scandinavian Team Battle] is about much more than skiing on plastic — it’s a celebration of ski culture, the city, and the local community,” said Ebskamp, who is not only the event organizer but also one of the competitors for Team Denmark. “I’m beyond stoked to once again welcome some of the biggest names in the sport to my hometown.”
Is the Scandi Team Battle the best summer party in skiing? It's not really up for debate...
"Big names" is not an oversell. From Emil Granbom to Harald Hellström, Mikkel BK, Lisa Zimmerman and more, we've seen some star-studded rosters at Scandi Team Battles of the past. Speaking of, Jesper Tjäder will be returning to represent Team Sweden, seeking his fifth win at the comp.
The open qualifier will also be returning. Back by popular demand, the rail jam gives anyone a shot at earning a place to compete against the pros. Just show up early on June 13. It's free to enter, and the top two riders will compete together as a team in the main event and receive VIP tickets to the comp and after-party.
Here are the seven two-person teams that will be throwing down :
🇸🇪 TEAM SWEDEN: Jesper Tjäder & TBD
🇳🇴 TEAM NORWAY: Robert Ruud & Mikkel BK
🇩🇰 TEAM DENMARK: Jakob Ebskamp & Gorm Garth-Grüner
🇫🇮 TEAM FINLAND: Harald Hellström & Anni Kärävä
🇬🇧 TEAM UNITED KINGDOM: Chris McCormick & Tom Greenway
🇨🇦 TEAM CANADA: Max Moffat & Mark Hendrickson
TEAM QUALIFIER: TBA at the qualifier competition
Each pair will ride the course together, lapping in hopes of putting down their best coordinated run of the day. The features are wild and allow for ample creativity. From mini pools to flat rails, jumps, tubes and more, we have yet to see a Team Battle course that wasn't exciting.
Even if the skiing (somehow) isn't what you're after, a trip to CopenHill is still worth the visit. The powerplant supplies Copenhagen with clean energy and serves as a year-round recreation hub. Plus, you can expect pop-up shops, food, beverages, and a stellar after-party sure to rage long into the night.
Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to comp day.
