Research & Development
March 20 - 27, 2024
Our newest Backcountry Freestyle Event
10 NEW RIDERS
4 VETERANS
FILMING AND COMPETING
1 PRE-QUALIFIED SPOT IN THE NATURAL SELECTION TOUR 2025
The Mission
To strive for more balanced representation of women on the Natural Selection Tour through the creation of a qualifying event.
This initiative aims to drive progression both within and outside the contest arena, offering female snowboarders the opportunity to compete in this unique format and rise to the occasion.
Photo: Andrew Miller & Jones Snowboards
The Opportunity Gap
How can we prepare the new crop of riders to be able to level up and contend with the stronger field of experienced riders? The opportunity to compete is the simplest solution to the problem.
Being able to be in a contest style format, supported by those who have the know-how and experience in this style of competition, will allow new riders to try, learn, and progress in multiple hits, complex backcountry freestyle. The goal is to prep a new set of riders to grow the field leading into top level backcountry style competition.
Photo: Andrew Miller & Jones Snowboards
The Format
An 8-day window of snowboarding and competing where ten riders will be selected to roll with four veterans of the NST. During the window, smaller groups of riders will be paired with “coaches” to practice, and film leading up to a competition day at the end of the window.
Riders will compete head to head in heats on contest day and two winners will be awarded based on overall performance and contest day results. One of those riders will be pre-qualified for the NST in 2025.
Come check out the comp on March 25 in our in-bounds Spectator Zone at the top of the Summit chair, and don't miss our closing party at The Royal on March 26 at 8:00pm!
Photo: Stephan Malette
Backcountry Event
This event is for invited athletes only and will take place outside of the Whitewater Ski Area boundary.
We will be closing the venue site and ask the public to respect this closure during the weather window. If our guests wish to view this event, we ask that they enjoy it from our inbounds spectator zone.
As always, should you choose to venture beyond the ski area boundary, we strongly recommend all skiers and snowboarders be equipped with a transceiver, probe, and shovel, and be educated in backcountry knowledge and up-to-date avalanche conditions.
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