After a long year of pandemic turbulence and event cancellations, Dew Tour is back for another round at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Although qualifiers don’t kick off until Wednesday, early-week practice is underway, and athletes’ excitement is brewing.

ski practice day one dew tour copper 2021
Photo Credit: Walter
Maggie Voisin.

This year Dew Tour is a qualifying event for the Beijing 2022 Olympics. This gives extra motivation for athletes with hopes of going and sets the stage for the level of skiing and trick selection we can expect from them as February draws closer. US team skier Marin Hamill notes that “with this contest being an Olympic Qualifier, it is a little bit more stressful, but there are still great vibes and lots of fun” at the top of the course. Although the rider’s chances of going to the Olympics adds pressure to each run, it is also an invitation for progression, which judges are always looking to see.

ski practice day one dew tour copper 2021
Photo Credit: Walter
David Wise.

This year’s slopestyle setup is a little different from many other courses this year with smaller jumps but is still bringing forth quite a bit of creativity- especially in the first rail section.

Fabian Boesch
Photo Credit: Dawsy
Fabian Boesch.

The weather is expected to be on the sunny side, except for snow in the forecast for the first day of qualifiers. Colorado is notoriously unpredictable when it comes to weather, so fingers crossed it holds out for safe and clear conditions all week!

Konnor Ralph.
Christian Nummedal.

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