International names will be in Queenstown this weekfor The North Face Big Mountain Open qualifiers, the biggest freeski event in the southern hemisphere this season.
Competitors in the event, which is part of the fifth annual Volkl NZ Freeski Open, will test their limits in steep alpine terrain.
Ski Area manager Ross Lawrence said he was looking forward to welcoming athletes from the international freeski circuit.
"The Remarkables is home to some amazing big mountain terrain.
"There will be heaps of opportunities for freeskiers to push their limits."
The open covers three major freeski disciplines - slopestyle, halfpipe and big mountain.
The big mountain qualifiers take place at the Remarkables on Wednesday, with finals at Treble Cone on Thursday.
Slopestyle and halfpipe events will be held at Cardrona on August 17 and 19 respectively, before the three-day North Face sessions, where winners of the Volkl Freeski Open will be taken by helicopter for further freeski sessions in the back country.
Prizes for each event include $4000, $1600 and $800 for first, second and third place in the men's competitions, and $1800, $800 and $400 respectively in the women's events.
A $100 prize is also offered at each event for the NZ Bolle young gun award.
A public screening of highlights from the freeski open will be held at Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka, on August 20.
Admission is $15.
