It’s not often that Olympians, Freeride World Tour champions, street skiers and film icons come together to compete on the same playing field. Natural Selection Ski provided this arena in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains, and this spring, 12 skiers dropped in to deliver another thrilling show.
As with any event in the mountains, Mother Nature makes the final call. The NST venue was initially planned for the dramatic “Spine Cell” face—featured in Teton Gravity Research and Matchstick Productions films—however, sketchy snowpack and touchy avalanche conditions forced the logistics team to pivot to a new venue a mere 24 hours before drop-in. NST co-founder Travis Rice and two-time competitor Markus Eder discovered a safer but more creative alternative course. Instead of technical and exposed big mountain lines, the rolling, feature-rich NST course lent itself to big tricks, playfulness, and creativity. While finals day was a departure from hard-charging spine skiing, viewers were treated to a booter session chock full of double back flips, corks, and combinations fit for the big screen.
This pivot demonstrated why these skiers are world-class talents—they can rise to the challenge no matter what’s thrown their way, and they put the course’s windlips, transfers, and features to good use in a bracket-style format (similar to competitive surfing). Ultimately, two skiers—Colby Stevenson and Manon Loschi—claimed the coveted first-place trophy. Loschi wowed the judges with a fluid run featuring a double back flip and a clean 360, claiming a back-to-back win. Stevenson’s run featured eight executed tricks, with the most notable being a double cork 1080 blunt grab. Beyond the podium, the whole field of skiers turned the mountainside into a freestyle playground.
Take a peek at some of the highlights from the 2026 Natural Selection Ski Finals, a splitter bluebird day in the Chugach.
Women’s results:
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Manon Loschi (FRA)
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Astrid Cheylis (FRA)
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Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI)
Men’s results:
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Colby Stevenson (USA)
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Markus Eder (ITA)
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Finn Bilous (NZL)
Athletes gather at the drop-in for the 2026 Natural Selection Ski competition in Alaska's Chugach Mountains, which was run bracket-style, similar to professional surfing. Photo: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
French skier Astrid Cheylus's Freeride World Tour chops were on full display, getting creative with wind lips on course. Photo: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
While Karl Fostvedt didn’t claim the top spot, he became the king of butters for runs full of nose butters and playful tricks. Photo: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
Shuttle service, Chugach style. Photo: Leslie Hittmeier/Natural Selection
Last year’s winner, Craig Murray, looked at home on the course. Photo: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
Based mostly on tricks vs. line choice, judges Grete Elliasen and Sage Cattabriga-Alosa had one of the toughest jobs of the day. Photo: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
18-year-old Hannah Epsteyn punched her ticket to Alaska by winning the NST Super Sessions at Palisades Tahoe, CA. Photo: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
Team Europe swept the women's podium. French skiers Manon Loschi and Astrid Cheylus took 1st and 2nd place respectively, which Switzerland's Elizabeth Gerritzen took 3rd. Photo: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
Colby Stevenson took home the win for the men's category, with Markus Eder taking 2nd and Finn Bilous taking 3rd.