Heavy snow and low visibility forced organisers of the event on the largest of the four mountains in Aspen to cancel the second qualification run in the men's event.

The 15-year-old Japanese competitor produced the best run of the day, scoring 90.75.

Red Gerrard of the United States' routine yielded the second-highest total as he was rewarded with 88.00 points on home snow.

Kunitake's compatriot Yuri Okubo, the current Big Air World Cup leader, also made light work of the tough conditions as he scored 87.25.

All three progressed to the final, along with the Swedish duo of Niklas Mattsson and Mans Hedberg, Americans Ryan Stessel and Chandler Hunt, Emil Andre Ulsletten of Norway, Finland's Rene Rinnekangas and Tiarn Collins of New Zealand.

The women's event did not fall foul to the adverse weather in Aspen as Jessika Jenson of the US came out as the top qualifier with a total of 89.75.

Jenson will be joined in the final by Reira Iwabuchi of Japan, who qualified second on 85.00 points, Christy Prior of New Zealand, Russian Sofya Fedorova, American Ty Walker, Tess Coady of Australia, Klaudia Medlova of Slovakia and Canada's Jasmine Baird.

In the skiing event, taking place simultaneously with the snowboard competition, Aaron Blunck of the US produced the highest score in the men's halfpipe qualification round.

Blunck scored 93.66 to ensure he progressed to the final in top spot.

Cassie Sharpe of Canada took the women's qualification honours with a total of 89.00.

The event in Snowmass continues tomorrow.