it's funny how people are complaining about the big mountain round - for a few reasons. one being this contest is about all around best skier.
second kind of contradicts my first, but: there are three rounds that are purely rails, one that involves park jumps AND rails, one for park jumps and one for pipe, plus schmuck just said that jumps out of the park count for the "backcountry/big mountain" part of the contest.
trust me kids - backcountry/big mountain has nothing to do with the outcome of this contest. It should be called "best PARK skier on the internet".
I think the way the contest is set up is the fairest way it can be done. Theres only so many skiers that can actually perform at a top level in all aspects of the sport, so being able to only need 5/7 will be fine, and even work in favour of the many purely park skiers that will submit entries.
I also feel it's really important for a skiers abilities to be diverse. I wouldn't call the best jibber on the internet the best skier on the internet if he/she couldn't prove themselves on any other terrain. This contest properly represents all aspects of the sport we all love.
I wonder how many of the pros will actually compete for this too... The prize cant be as appealing to them as it is to any other non-sponsored skier out there.