The maximum-rated, 6-Star Big Air field is stacked, with many of the world's best riders throwing their hat into the ring to compete on the precision-sculpted course. A super-sized kicker and creative, urban-inspired jib section, featuring more than 20 different possible lines, will no doubt draw the best out of the riders as they vie for top honors in the floodlit finals on Saturday evening.



The French Canadian trio of Sebastien Toutant, Antoine Truchon and Maxence Parrot will be looking to keep their noses in front of North American counterparts including Eric Beauchemin, while hometown favorite Jan Scherrer will have his hands full fending off the Scandinavian contingent including Kevin Backstrom, Torgeir Bergrem and Emil Ulsletten. And then there's the ever-present threat posed by the timeless Markku Koski and 2010 O'Neill Evolution Big Air Champion, Marko Grilc.



A special mention goes to fellow legend and long-time Team O'Neill rider Gian Simmen, who will bring the curtain down on one of the sport's most illustrious careers when he competes in the 5-Star Halfpipe contest -- his final pro event in a competitive history that spans 23 years. The 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist and former World Champion, who calls Davos home, has become one of the most respected riders on the tour thanks to his unique riding style and charismatic personality. The home crowd, numbering in their thousands, will no doubt want to see him go out on a high in the finals on Thursday afternoon.