The Natural Selection Tour Adds Ski Events This Winter

Mountainwatch |News

The Natural Selection Tour, the backcountry snowboarding series and brainchild of legendary snowboarder Travis Rice, has announced it is expanding into skiing, surfing and mountain biking this year.  Since its launch in 2021 the NST has always been regarded as a riders’ event, bringing the best snowboarders from a variety of disciplines – freeride, big mountain, park and pipe – in a head to head comp held in a backcountry zone with a few enhanced features amongst the natural hits.

The Natural Selection Tour is a core event that produces compelling stories and content and its expansion into ski, surf and bike is a natural progression.

“After years of inbound inquiry and conversations, it has become apparent that we have a lot to share with these incredible subcultures and communities,” said NTS founder Travis Rice. “New events are desired, and frankly needed. Our roots are nature, athletes and culture first. We believe Natural Selection is in a position to help define what the future holds for these sports.”

The ski event will be held in Alaska in mid-April and the format is the same as the NST snowboard with invited skiers going head to head in two-person heats, one eliminated as the field is whittled down to a two-athlete final. The judging criteria consists of Creativity, Risk, Execution, Difficulty, and Overall Impression and if the level of snowboarding we’ve seen in the NST over the years is anything to go by, NST ski will be something not to be missed.

Each sport has an “advisory council” made up of some of the most respected athletes in the sport. Michelle Parker, Chris Benchetler, Kristi Leskinen, Markus Eder, Candide Thovex, and Sammy Carlson are at the current helm for NST Ski.

“Skiing in these incredible landscapes and finding new ways to approach the mountains is what it’s all about for me,” said Michelle Parker. “This Tour’s blend of showcasing the natural beauty and challenge of skiing, but on a competition platform will be completely fresh. Looking forward to seeing what everyone brings to Alaska.”

NTS snow is well-established with Travis Rice leading the way and this year tour veterans including Hana Beaman, Chris Rasman, and Robin Van Gyn will join him in guiding  NST Snow’s evolution.

The snowboarding kicks off with DUELS in six global locations, a qualifier for some riders for the main event. In mid-March, 24 athletes will gather at the YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke for two days of exclusive live competition broadcast on Red Bull TV.

“Snowboarding at Natural Selection has always been about finding the perfect line. I can’t wait to see how the Tour highlights that same quest for the perfect line in other sports,” said Robin Van Gyn, Professional Snowboarder, NST Snow Advisory Council.

Natural Selection Surf will be held in the Pacific at a yet-to-be named location in Micronesia. And “will feature a compelling mix of surfers riding perfect waves of consequence deep in the Pacific Ocean”.

NST Bike will bring together the best men’s and women’s riders from big mountain, slopestyle, freeride, and downhill. They will compete in Queenstown, NZ in February 8-15, 2025.

All events in each sport will be filmed using innovative filming techniques, high-speed drones and cutting-edge technology.  Red Bull TV will serve as the primary broadcast partner for Natural Selection Tour events, and as the exclusive home for snowboarding events including YETI Natural Selection DUELS, the two days of live broadcasting from the YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke, along with YETI Natural Selection Ski.

Natural Selection Bike and Surf will stream on Red Bull TV along with additional platforms chosen to amplify their reach in year one.