The international competition will be held in Gwanghwamun Square, a newly dedicated open space in the heart of the Korean capital. A jump ramp, measuring 34 meters in height and 100 meters in length, will be set up temporarily at the northern end of the square to accommodate the competition. Athletes will compete with points awarded for trick, turn, landing and distance.
Gwanghwamun Square, which was officially opened to the public in August this year, is located along the main boulevard in the heart of Seoul. This new landmark is the home for the statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sunshin and other cultural and historical sites. The Big Air competition will be the first international sports event to take place in Gwanghwamun Square.
To celebrate the hosting of the FIS Big Air competition, diverse range of entertainment will be held at the venue as well in the name of Seoul Snow Jam, turning Gwanghwamun Square into a winter wonderland. They include snowboard super matches presented by Hyundai Capital, the main sponsor of the Seoul Snow Jam event. An opening ceremony of Seoul Snow Jam will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 11, followed by ski jump and snowboard gala show.
Through the event, the Seoul Metropolitan Government hopes to raise interest in winter sports among citizens and to boost its tourism image for foreign visitors.
"I hope to organize Seoul Snow Jam not just as a festival for Seoul but for the entire country at a time when Pyeongchang of Korea is planning to participate in the bid for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games for the third time," said Kang Cheol-won, Director-General of Public Relations Planning of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
