Natural Selection Ski Recap
A new era in skiing has begun as the Natural Selection Tour launched its first-ever ski event, the YETI Natural Selection Ski, carving a bold new line into skiing’s history books. Riders faced Priority 1, one of Alaska’s most legendary big mountain venues, with a single mission: create a film-quality, freestyle-meets-freeride line in real-time. At the centre was the variability and grandeur of Mother Nature herself—who once again proved to be both an inspiration and a formidable challenger.
Welcome to Natural Selection Ski. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Following nearly a week of camping in the backcountry, the skies cleared and 12 of the world’s most skilled skiers from a variety of backgrounds stepped up to deliver progressive, high-risk runs on a face where creativity and control matter as much as courage.
Mike Douglas. Photo by Chad Chomlack / Natural Selection
“This is a celebration of skiing from the start of the event to the end, where we could really show the potential of our sport,” said Mike Douglas, pro skier and event director for Natural Selection Ski. “These mountains in Alaska allow skiers to maximize their creativity and potential and show how exciting skiing can be. And this format allows the skiing to shine more than anything else.”
The venue. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Since Natural Selection Tour debuted with snowboarding in 2021, skiers have been asking for the format to welcome them in. This year, it happened as Douglas explains, “When Natural Selection snowboarding started it showed a new way of highlighting the highest levels of snowboarding, and since then skiers have wanted a crack at it. Finally this year that happened; the best skiers in the world were invited to compete on the best terrain.”
Photo by Chad Chomlack / Natural Selection
The Skiers
The athlete lineup was a who’s who of modern skiing:
Women’s Session:
Michelle Parker (USA)
Maggie Voisin (USA),
Manon Loschi (FRA)
Hedvig Wessel (NOR)
Men’s Session 1:
Sam Kuch (CAN)
Colby Stevenson (USA)
Kai Jones (USA)
Parker White (USA)
Men’s Session 2:
Craig Murray (NZL)
Kye Petersen (CAN)
Max Palm (SWE)
Markus Eder (ITA)
Craig Murray (NZL) & Manon Loschi (FRA) Dial It In Early
Right out of the gate, Craig Murray and Manon Loschi delivered two of the day’s most locked-in performances, earning them the BOA Dialed In Award for their stand out lines in the opening sessions.
Manon Loschi. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
On the women’s side, Manon Loschi stunned the field by holding her own on Alaska’s most iconic terrain—despite having no prior big mountain experience in Alaska. Her first drop down Priority 1 was clean and impressively confident, and set the tone for her eventual run to the top of the podium.
Craig Murray. Photo by Chad Chomlack / Natural Selection
New Zealand’s Murray launched his run with a huge 360 off the top feature, instantly commanding attention and setting the tone for what would become the highest scoring run of the entire day with a 96. It was a masterclass in control, flow, and high-stakes commitment.
Sam Kuch. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Canada’s Sam Kuch came out swinging in the first session nailing a 93-point score that had jaws on the glacier floor. His signature floaty style and effortless speed made him a standout from the first drop and landed him the second semi-final spot.
Parker White. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Perennial slopestyle medalist on the world’s biggest stages, Colby Stevenson’s decade plus of competing in freeskiing came through as he edged out 18-year old Kai Jones and Parker White with a stylish 360 hand drag mixed into what could be described only as a slopestyle big mountain run for the third semi-final spot.
Kye Petersen. Photo by Chad Chomlack / Natural Selection
The event kicked into high-gear during the final men’s qualifying session, where Kye Petersen, Max Palm, and Markus Eder all landed scores above 85, putting down bold, technical lines with progressive trick selection. Ultimately in a nail bitter, Markus Eder—known worldwide for The Ultimate Run—claimed the last semifinal slot by a hair leaving it all on the line to earn a 91 over Canada’s Petersen’s 90 in the previous run. The Italian’s silky smooth nose butter 720 and double backfip stood out in a day of memorable moments. What made this session so gripping wasn’t just the scores, but the way each skier visibly levelled up from run one to run two, feeding off each other's energy for the shot to ski onto the next round.
Men’s Semifinals: The Gloves Came Off
If the qualifiers were explosive, the men’s semifinals unleashed the most electrifying skiing of the entire day. With Markus Eder, Colby Stevenson, Craig Murray, and Sam Kuch making up the final four, it was an all-time showdown of style, power, and creativity.
Markus Eder. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Eder, known for his cinematic approach and technical mastery, brought his signature vision to the face. Stevenson, an Olympic and X Games medalist, showcased the precision and pop of a slopestyle skier adapting seamlessly to big-mountain terrain. Murray leaned into his freeride instincts and unwavering composure under pressure. And Kuch, Canada’s underground breakout, delivered the same surreal flow and commitment that’s made him a favourite in the backcountry film world.
Colby Stevenson. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Each rider brought something unique to the table—and with everything on the line, all chips were down. Lines got faster, tricks riskier, and execution sharper, turning the semis into a live-action ski film unfolding in real time.
Women’s Final: Loschi Edges Parker In High-Stakes Showdown
While the men brought intensity, the women’s final brought flow in tough snow conditions. In one of the day’s most compelling match-ups, French newcomer Manon Loschi went head-to-head with one of the most respected veterans in the game, Michelle Parker.
Michelle Parker. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Parker threw down a classic Michelle line in her second finals run—taking on major exposure and risk—scoring 68 points and putting the pressure squarely on Loschi. Rising to the moment, Loschi dropped into her final run of the day with surfy top to bottom. Her 70-point run overcame Parker’s final run by just two points securing the first-ever Natural Selection Ski title.
Manon Loschi. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
“To go up against Michelle, she’s so experienced and skilled, and come out with the win—it’s unreal,” said Loschi. “Getting my first AK experience with such a crew feels unreal. I am so honored to be on this stage with these skiers.”
Michelle Parker (2nd), Manon Loschi (1st), Hedvig Wessel (3rd). Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Parker agreed with that sentiment: “This is why Natural Selection matters. It allows us to bring out the best in each other—watching Manon and the other skiers step up, and progress skiing in real time like that was a moment I’ll never forget. Can’t wait to see how skiing evolves from here.”
Men’s Final: Murray and Kuch Full Send
The final showdown between Craig Murray and Sam Kuch was nothing short of legendary. After a day of jaw-dropping skiing, these two freeride titans went head-to-head in a final that left even the most seasoned pros speechless.
Craig Murray. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Craig Murray rose to the occasion with a precision-crafted run that earned him an 85 and ultimately, the win. Attacking the face with a shockingly fast, smooth line, Murray strung together a symphony of stylish 360s and flips, lacing them seamlessly from top to bottom. His composure under pressure and ability to flow through complex terrain with freestyle finesse exemplified the Natural Selection vision: freeride meets freestyle at its highest level.
Sam Kuch. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
Sam Kuch, never one to hold back, countered with an all-out assault on the face. In one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire event, Kuch sent it over a gap that spanned more than 100 feet—by far the biggest air of the day. The amplitude, style, and audacity were vintage Kuch. But just as it looked like he might capture the win, a bobble toward the bottom cost him crucial points, handing the title to his friend Murray.
Sam Kuch & Craig Murray. Photo by Leslie Hittmeier / Natural Selection
“Getting to spend two weeks in a wild location with everyone created a totally different atmosphere than you see at other events,” said Murray. “Everyone came together as a team rather than competitors. Skiing with such a range of the world's best skiers was unique. Dropping into the final with one of my best friends was beyond comprehension and the cherry on top.”
Sam Kuch (2nd), Craig Murray (1st), Markus Eder (3rd). Photo by Chad Chomlack / Natural Selection
The final wasn’t just a contest of skill—it was a moment that embodied the spirit of the Natural Selection Ski. Two friends, pushing each other to the brink, laying it all on the line in a place that demands the best from every rider.
Mother Nature: The True Lead Character
At the center of it all was Mother Nature, who offered up one of her most iconic stages—Priority 1. Towering above the glacier near Eleven's Winterlake Lodge, this face is more than just a venue; it’s a proving ground of near-mythical scale. First descended by Jeremy Nobis and later ridden by Travis Rice in The Fourth Phase, Priority 1 looms with massive spines, exposed rollover features, and unforgiving pitch.
Priority 1. Photo by Chad Chomlack / Natural Selection
Riders dropped into lines spanning nearly 1,700 vertical feet, starting with full adrenaline and finishing absolutely breathless. Conditions were ever-changing: wind-buffed chalk up high, slide paths through the midsection, and variable snow pockets across the lower features. Sluff management became as critical as trick execution, with riders navigating natural hazards that shifted with every turn. Pulseline Adventure kept the crews safe in the field with weeks of preparation on the face, testing and full safety protocol in place.
“It Didn’t Even Feel Like a Contest”
Despite the stakes and scoring, one sentiment echoed from nearly every athlete on the glacier: it didn’t even feel like a contest. The energy between riders was more collaborative than competitive. They weren’t just there to win—they were there to push each other, inspire each other, and do something that had never been done before in ski competition.
For the athletes, Natural Selection Ski wasn’t about beating someone else—it was about reading the mountain, and bringing their vision to life in one, uncut take. That mindset made for a truly unique environment—one that felt as much like filming a segment as it did riding in a comp. But it was a comp and judges Sean Pettit, Kristi Leskinen, and Dion Newport were on glacier to give scores based on Natural Selection Tour’s signature CREDO system in real-time as athletes progressed through the day.
Watch the Full Event Now
Experience every drop, trick, and celebration on demand—the complete YETI Natural Selection Ski event is streaming now, exclusively at RedBull.com/NSTSki.
With athlete POVs, cutting-edge racing drone footage, and commentary from the biggest names in the sport, this is the most cinematic ski competition ever produced.
Partners
Like-minded partners are coming together to help develop and support the Natural Selection Tour. YETI will title the inaugural Natural Selection Ski event. Arc’teryx returns as the Tour’s outerwear partner for both snowboarding and skiing. Dakine, Blackstrap, BOA, 10 Barrel Brewing, POC, TURTLEBOX, and A New Earth Project have also signed on as NST partners. Eleven Winterlake Lodge provided the backcountry base camp for the skiers. Alyeska Resort hosted the skiers and crew on both ends of the competition window.
The Industry Alliance program comes to ski this season, giving members access to exclusive content from their respective team athletes and media integration within the Tour. Thank you to Volkl, The North Face, K2, and Anon for joining the Alliance and supporting their team riders! To get involved and support skiing's continued progression, please contact the Natural Selection Tour partnership team at conor@naturalselectiontour.com.