It is the fifth time that Montafon will host a FIS World Cup stop and the fourth time since 2012, 2013 and 2015 that the season opens there.

A course purpose-built for heats of four and designed by Nick Roma will act as the arena for some potentially thrilling head-to-head duels over the coming days.

It is all set for the world's best snowboarders who met for a final test event at the Europa Cup competition in Pitztal in Austria two weeks ago.

Australian Belle Brockhoff and Spaniard Lucas Eguibar claimed back-to-back wins in a strong and deep field in Pitztal and both will be the ones to watch out for this weekend in Montafon.

Home favourite Markus Schairer, the 2009 world champion, has secured podium finishes at all three individual races staged in the Silvretta Alps so far and will be hoping to add a fourth this time around.

Besides winning the 2013 event, he came in second in 2012 and 2015.

“Of course I would like to make it on the podium again," said Schairer.

"I'm feeling comfortable on my board right now.

"The course seems to be similar to the ones of the previous years which actually did suit my riding.

"If everything comes together, I can make it again.

Qualifiers will take place tomorrow in the men's and women's singles event before finals take centre stage on Friday (December 16).

Team competition then brings the opening stage of the World Cup calendar to a close on Sunday (December 18).

Austrian Alessandro Haemmerle won on his home course at this event last year while Nelly Moenne Loccoz of France was the champion in the women's division.