A snowboard without jumps, rails or classic freestyle modules... but with speed, precision and a duelling spirit. On 24 January 2026, Serre Chevalier will be hosting the second PumpTrack Battle, an atypical contest devised by Pierre Vaultier, double Olympic snowboard cross champion, who continues to reinvent the codes of winter sports.
A consultant for France Télévisions at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Pierre Vaultier is nonetheless deeply attached to his original playground. In Serre Chevalier, the valley-born rider is pursuing another, more experimental adventure: that of the snowboarding on pumptrack.
The principle is simple, but highly effective. Two riders compete side by side on two parallel lines of moguls, specially shaped in the snow near the BMX park at La Salle-les-Alpes (Serre Barbin).
A highly anticipated event
No pushing, no poles, no artificial momentum. It's all about leg power, «pumping» to generate speed, make a U-turn and return to the starting point. The fastest man eliminates his opponent. It's a spectacular format, easy for the public to understand and demanding for the participants.
After a first edition that brought together 70 snowboarders, men and women, the PumpTrack Battle is back with a completely redesigned line. Each year, Pierre Vaultier brings a new technical development. This time, the two lines will be perfectly parallel, reinforcing the duel dimension and intensity of the race.
The event is open to all snowboarders aged 10 and over, provided they have a good level. Registration is online, for a token fee of €5. Helmets are compulsory for minors and strongly recommended for adults. The competition starts at 11.30am, with a snack bar and refreshment area on site, in keeping with the friendly spirit of the organisers.
Reinventing boardsports without changing the way it is done
Another special feature of the event is that it is not limited to competition. On Sunday 25 January, the pumptrack lines will be open to all, with no sporting stakes involved. Skiers and snowboarders alike will be able to try their hand at the discipline, discover the sensations of pumptrack on snow and try out a format that is still not widely used in the resorts. It's a way of extending the event and making it accessible to as many people as possible.
For Pierre Vaultier, the objective goes well beyond the simple contest. Above all, it's about creating a unifying event, designed for young people, clubs and the local snowboard scene, far removed from the ultra-codified formats.
«What counts is the continuity of the event and the pleasure of sharing a convivial moment around an unusual concept. Every year, I try to come up with something new, develop the line and imagine what's next.» explains the champion, already full of ideas for future editions.
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