A short distance outside of Innsbruck, in a snowboard photographer's small office (Andrew Hourmonts appartment) slowly grew an idea - an idea that would finally become on of the biggest and most famous events in snowboard history.

In 1993 Andrew Hourmont planed a film project about Martin Freinademetz and the Snowboard scene in Innsbruck.

Apart from that, a Snowboard High Jump Contest was planed in the city centre of Innsbruck.

Due to the fact that at this time Snowboarding was not really popular the politicians in Innsbruck refused the permission and so they had to find another location. Finally the decision was made to go into the Ski Jump Stadium and to organise the first in city Straight Jump Contest in the world.

On January 17, 1994 the first Air & Style Snowboard Contest went ahead with great riders like: Reto Lamm, Shaun Palmer, Bryan Iguchi, Mike Basich, Sebu Kuhlberg and many more who asked a few days before to participate.

This first Event was organised by a few local Snowboarders like: Martin Freinademetz´s brother, who had the great job of checking tickets at the entrance. Instead of the expected 500 people with tickets, he was quite irritated as he had to check about 5.000.

supplied by Quattro Media.

Humans do not live in isolation but in constant interaction with their environment that they share with others. This socially structured environment of humans can be also designated as life style.

As service provider and brand we see our task in pointing out the facets of specific environments to enrich and extend them as well as to set new standards. This can only by realised by the presentation of something unusual. It was always our goal to bring together the world best sportsman and the compatible live acts, in order to form out of these two foundation-stones unusual, innovative and for our young target group affordable events. We make it for each individual as well as our partners possible, to learn about these life styles and be part of it.

"Our work is successful, if our spectators go home and think, they have been at the best event of the year" (Andrew Hourmont)

1995
After the successful start of the two air & style contests Andrew Hourmont founded the air & style company, sport management and event gesmbH. In cooperation with MTV, the world-wide most well-known music television the snowboard contest is supported by two live-concerts for the first time. Now and then the unusual combination of sport and music is the basis for the success of the event.

1997
The Tyrolean economic chamber awards the air & style company for unusual communication within the social and sporty range with the communication crystal 1997. This honour encourages the goal of the organizers to make through its concepts and events a reasonable contribution in the respective ranges

1999
The increasing success at the Bergisel motivated the organizers to extend their field of activity. In February 1999 they arrange another event - the European open in the Axamer Lizum and Nordkette. In the same summer the first international skateboard contest in Innsbruck takes place.

On the 4th of December, the 7th air & style snowboard contest an unpredictable accident happens. At end of the contest at the western exit of the stadium people start to panic and 6 young people die in the crowd, several are injured, among them some with lasting handicaps. Although the innocence of the organizers is confirmed, this tragedy means a personal and financial set back for Andrew Hourmont and his partner Helmut Lunner. In the following months the organizers worry about the surviving dependants of the victims and arrange a fond for the support of the rehabilitation measures. The European Open planned for February 2000 in the Axamer Lizum and Nordkette are cancelled.

2000
After the tragic accident of the previous year the entrepreneurs decide to change the concept of the event and shift the venue to Seefeld in Tirol, where the snowboard contest gets a completely new direction. The in-city event develops to a three days village festival with numerous side events and parties in the village. In order to accomplish the requirements of the air & style, the Casino Arena Seefeld is adapted, which offers place today for up to 17000 visitors.

2002
Caused by the effects of the tragic accident at the Bergisel in 1999, and as a result of the cancellation of the European Open 2000 and the forced short term call off the skate contest 2001 in Berlin after the terrorist attack in New York on 11th September, the air & style company becomes insolvent. On 08th July 2002 the Blue Wings agency - sport, music and lifestyle GmbH emerges with all experiences and the today's management team Andrew Hourmont, Helmut Lunner and Hannes Schoenegger. The company´s name blue wings symbolizes the blue wings of the air & style logo and always reminds us of our background and our credo.

2003
Also the 11th Air & Style set new standards. The only 17 year old Shaun White from California wins the contest confidently and astonishes the snowboard scene. Again in the program: Freestyle Motocross. The breathtaking jumps of the Motocrosser Nate Adams and co. and the first backflip on a motocycle, jumped on snow impresse the audience. The newcomers "Wir sind Helden" rock the concert stage. And: Completely full house!

2004
The Air & Style Snowboard festival takes place for the last time in Seefeld/Tirol. After 12 years the Snowboard spectacle says goodbye on two days in front of altogether 24,000 enthusiastic spectators. Previous year winner Shaun White defends his title, "Die Fantastischen Vier" show a great performance on stage and the Freestyle Motocross stars stoke once more. A perfect goodbye party!

2005
A major step in Air & Style history was taken by moving the event to the Olympic Stadium in Munich. 21.000 spectators witnessed when the riders battled head to head on the world’s biggest artificial jump in this impressive arena. Hampus Mosesson walked away with the first title in Munich. Xibit and the Sportfreunde Stiller made their contribution by rocking the crowds massively.

2006
A completely new setup in the Olympic Stadium will guarantee highest level snowboarding. There will be a longer inrun and a higher takeoff. Spectators will have great view from all stands.25.000-30.000 are expected to come and see all the snowboard- and FMX-action on December 2nd 2006.