The marquee event of the week is the Freeride Cup, one of the only big mountain competitions in the country. While spectators drank wine out of tiny glasses, and a helicopter circled overhead, skittled-out freeriders navigated the long and cliff-riddled Col de Margherita.

This year, in a blow to the Scufons, Americans grabbed the top four spots in the telemark division. But, in keeping with the local customs, the Italians represented strongly in the alpine department and in the après division.

-Heather Hansman