Industry News
Eleven Winterlake Lodge, Alaska Range (April 17, 2025) – 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 center was the variability and grandeur of Mother Nature herself—who once again proved to be both an inspiration and a formidable challenger.
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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.
“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.”
Since Natural Selection Tour debuted with snowboarding in 2021, skiers have been asking for the format to welcome them in. As Douglas explained, “When Natural Selection 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.”
The Skiers
The athlete lineup is 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) and 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.
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.
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.
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.
Perrenial 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. A stylish 360 hand drag mixed into what could be described only as a slopestyle big mountain run earned him the third semi-final spot.
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-biter, 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 Petersen’s 90 in the previous run. The Italian’s silky smooth nosebutter 720 and double backflip 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 leveled 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.
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 favorite in the backcountry film world.
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 matchups, French newcomer Manon Loschi went head-to-head with one of the most respected veterans in the game, Michelle Parker.
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 flow top to bottom. Her 70-point run overcame Parker’s final run by just two points, securing her the first-ever Natural Selection Ski title.
“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.”
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 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, 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 steal the win, a slight bobble at the bottom cost him crucial points, narrowly handing the title to his friend and fellow rider, Murray.
“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.”
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.
Riders dropped into runs 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.
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.
