Festival de la Glisse Urbaine / Skatecontest

The Épinal Skatecontest: Urban Sports Celebration in the Vosges

The Festival de la Glisse Urbaine, better known as the Épinal Skatecontest, is the flagship event organized by the Woodmen association at the Côte Cabiche skatepark. Since its creation, this annual gathering has brought together the board sports community from the entire Grand Est region for a weekend of friendly competitions, acrobatic performances, and sharing around urban cultures. The festival embodies the spirit of conviviality and passion that has driven Vosges riders since the skatepark's inauguration in 2009.

An Exceptional Skatepark in the Heart of Épinal

The Côte Cabiche skatepark, one of the first concrete skateparks in the region, was designed by the engineering firm Constructo, specialists in board sports architecture. Spanning 1,400 m² of treated surface, the facility features a street area with urban modules (curbs, handrails, stairs, and banks) and a bowl inspired by Californian swimming pools, offering riders a varied and technical playground. A dedicated graffiti wall completes the setup, anchoring the site in street art culture.

Competitions and Disciplines

The festival takes place over two intense days. Saturday is dedicated to BMX competitions, where riders perform aerial tricks and grinds on the skatepark modules. Sunday is for skateboarding with street and bowl contests, open to all levels. Freestyle rollerblading and scooter disciplines complete the program, allowing every practitioner to express themselves on the Épinal concrete. The competitions remain friendly: the primary goal is to unite the community around their passion in a spirit of sharing and progression.

Concerts and Activities

Beyond the contests, the Épinal Skatecontest offers an open-air music program with concerts and DJ sets mixing hip-hop, punk rock, reggae, and electronic music, echoing the urban cultures that fuel the board sports scene. Skate brand stands, introductory workshops for younger participants, and video screenings of riding sessions add to the entertainment. The on-site bar and food trucks provide refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere throughout the weekend.

The Woodmen Association: Driving Force of Vosges Board Sports

Founded by young people from Épinal to liven up the skatepark and unite the local community, the Woodmen association now has over 130 active members. Beyond the annual contest, it organizes skate and BMX nights, video screenings, group sessions, and events in Thaon-les-Vosges. Driven by a Do It Yourself ethic, Woodmen contributes to the influence of board sports culture in the Vosges and advocates for the development of infrastructure dedicated to urban sports in the department.