The resort, which is also hosting the 2019 Para Snowboarding World Championships, will play host to the third event on the 2018-2019 World Cup Series from tomorrow.

Home favourite Matti Suur-Hamari, the Paralympic and world champion, will be looking to seize the title in his local resort.

"I’m excited to see where everybody is after the summer," he said.

"I’ve been in Pyha for a week now and I’ve seen some of the guys doing really well.

"I’m looking forward to being in the starting gate."

The Finn, who lives just two hours away from the Pyha slopes, said his competitors will be treated to an impressive scene during the World Championships in next year.

"Late March is the most beautiful time in Lapland - hopefully there will be plenty of snow," he added.

"The sun is shining and it is the start of the spring season.

"Now it’s the time Finnish people call kaamos, just a couple of hours of daylight.

"It’s a little bit darker but it’s also beautiful as it’s possible to see the Northern Lights.

"In Finland that’s the exciting thing, nature is changing a lot during the months."

Japan’s Gurimu Narita is the reigning overall World Cup champion.