Xtreme skiing in Verbier

The popular ski resort of Verbier will host one of the hippest ski and snowboard events next month.

First held in 1996, O'Neill Xtreme takes place this year on March 14th to 23rd at the Swiss resort.

Professionals and expert amateurs from across the globe head to the Alpine destination for the main event - Freeride World Championships - which takes place on March 15th.

Visitors will be able to take a break from their own ski holidays to watch the exciting race on the Bec des Rosses mountain-face. The final is the last event in the Freeride World Tour which was launched in January.

Cyril Neri, who won the Nissan O'Neill Xtreme in 1998 and 2006, said: "Today, freeriding is a matured and established discipline.

"It deserves and needs the public recognition and appreciation that this World Tour will generate. Being the first European to have won the Xtreme, I would love to repeat this feat on the new World Tour."