Shaun White out of Tignes X Games

In 2012, Shaun White won both the slopestyle and halfpipe events in his first appearance at a European X Games and fans were eagerly anticipating his return to Tignes. It goes without saying that the news will come as a huge disappointment for organisers of the event: White is arguably the most famous snowboarder on the planet and draws huge crowds and media attention to all events that he enters.

Last week organisers cancelled the snowmobile freestyle exhibition following the tragic death of snowmobiler Caleb Moore in January's X Games in Aspen, USA.

The X Games in Tignes is the second in the series of six international events in 2013. The Tignes edition of the X Games will take place between the 20th and 22nd of March.

Footage of White en route to the top of the podium in Tignes in 2012 is available top right.