Industry News
A new backcountry gathering aimed at strengthening the growing powdersurfing community in the United States will debut in early 2026, according to Tim Wesley, founder and CEO of Shark Powderboards, who spoke with SnowBrains on the phone in January 2026. The inaugural Alpine Surf Sessions is scheduled for February 2-4, 2026, at Alpine Lakes High Camp near Merritt, Washington, a venue Wesley described as “absolutely perfect for showcasing powsurfing.” The event will take place between Stevens Pass and Leavenworth and will utilize two distinct slopes accessed through a fully rented cat-ski operation.
“This community doesn’t really have an event like this in the States,” Wesley told SnowBrains. “There are small gatherings here and there, but nothing you can count on happening every year. I want this to be something annual—something that brings people together.”
Inspired by the Past, Built for the Present
Wesley said the idea was inspired in part from Gregg Todds memorial ‘no-board’ powsurf contests roughly 10 years ago which have since been discontinued. Now, Alpine Surf Sessions is intentionally designed to pick up where those competitions left off, however, with a bit of a twist: they will be organized as rider-first gathering as opposed to a traditional competition.
The three-day event emphasizes shared riding time, creative expression, and connection over podiums or prize money. While there are judged components, Wesley said the primary goal is community building.
“I know so many people just from Instagram,” he said. “I want to actually meet them, shake their hands, ride together.”
Two Venues, Two Very Different Days
The event will unfold across two primary riding zones. The first day of the event is reserved for arrival, orientation, safety briefings, feature building, and a family-style dinner at the lodge.
Day Two will take place on Thompson Ridge, a natural amphitheater-style slope where spectators can watch clearly from the bottom. That day will feature three heats across different zones, with both crowd judging and rider judging incorporated into the performance-based scoring. Two riders will drop every 60 seconds, with rotating order to maximize fresh snow.
Day Three shifts across the valley to a larger, more open face known as Heart Stopper, where the focus turns to creativity. Riders will film and edit a short reel for Instagram or TikTok on-site the same day. They are free to do it solo or with a team of friends. The best-produced reel, judged primarily for riding and storytelling, will win.
A Backcountry Basecamp
Alpine Surf Sessions will be hosted out of Alpine Lakes High Camp, a rustic, off-grid backcountry lodge with scattered dry cabins, a shared gathering lodge, sauna, and cold plunge. All overnight participants will be assigned cabins as part of registration.
Participants are expected to bring their own food, avalanche gear, and winter travel essentials. A communal dinner will be provided on the first night to kick off the event.
Safety and Respect
While personal snowmobiles are allowed, their use is limited strictly to transportation. High-speed riding, reckless behavior, or “showing off” will not be tolerated, according to event guidelines.
“No one cares how good you are on a sled,” Wesley wrote on the event’s webpage. “Anyone who can’t respect this will be escorted off the property.”
All attendees including riders and spectators alike must sign waivers and follow established safety protocols. Avalanche awareness is required for riders, with a refresher scheduled on the first day.
Tickets and Participation
The event will cap participation at 70 riders, with three ticket tiers planned:
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Full Event Pass (limited to 50 guests) including lodging – $500
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Single-Day Participant Pass for one or both riding days – $120
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Spectator Pass for non-riding attendees – $40
Spectators are encouraged and will have access to viewing zones, the lodge, and demo boards from various makers.
Wesley urged interested riders and fans to secure tickets early once registration opens. Full details and ticket access will be available through Shark Powderboards’ website and social channels.
Looking Ahead
Wesley hopes Alpine Surf Sessions becomes a cornerstone event for the powsurf community in the U.S.—one with roots in shared experience rather than just competition.
“Alpine Surf Sessions is a rider‑first powsurf gathering rooted in backcountry powder, personal progression, and love for the free-footed lifestyle. We’re here to ride, connect, and spend time in good terrain having fun!” – Tim Wesley
This community-driven intention is one of the key foundations of any winter sport—to be a practice that can be enjoyed with others in a beautiful mountain environment. If all goes to plan, Wesley’s new Alpine Surf Sessions will be more than just a contest showcasing the nations’s most skilled powsrufers: it’ll be an annual gathering that anyone interested in riding down soft snow without bindings can look forward to—and a damn good time.
