Sunrise Session Glacier 3000

The Early Birdz Invitational is a simple recipe: 30 riders from all over Switzerland (and beyond) get up early and ride at the first light of day, giving the filmmakers and photographers on site the chance to capture those rare, magical moments. Ruedi Flück & Shannon Sweeney, our photographers from the Knuckle team, were there for this event organized by—funny enough—our two editors-in-chief, Remco Kayser & Maé Biedermann. Enjoy the view and take in this journey that happens just a few steps from home.

Glacier 3000 has welcomed hungry riders for decades during the pre-season. Back in 2008 for the Monsterpark Invitational, the glacier was melting under the tricks of the world’s best pro riders, including Henrik Harlaut’s legendary switch 1620—a future spin at the time that set the tone for the years to come. After years of hosting the Swiss Freeski Open, Glacier 3000 decided that 2024 would be the last edition of this early-season freestyle gathering. Then this year, the "invitational" concept rose from the ashes in Les Diablerets.

The Early Birdz day actually begins in the middle of the night. The alarm rings at 4:30 a.m. before driving up to Les Diablerets. The gondola leaves at 6:30—miss it and you’re done. Everyone’s squinting, half-asleep, barely recognizing each other in the pitch-black parking lot. Everyone piles into the cabin. The vibe is friendly but quiet. Then the first light of day gently wakes the snoozing riders. What a sight: from the ascending gondola you watch the long, white glacier appear, covered in fresh snow. Straddling three cantons (Vaud, Bern, Valais), the view is unbeatable—from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn.

At the top, there’s no time for coffee: everyone rushes out to take a few laps on the freshly groomed slopes at first light. Never had we seen 30 park riders so stoked to carve hard-packed snow at 7 a.m. Two piste laps later, everyone heads to the park as the light gradually allows for jumping. And then, with the first rays of sun… the magic happens!

Gallery Ruedi Flück

Gallery Shannon Sweeney