Featured Picture: Amy Jimmerson
The Kings and Queens of Corbet’s is again in motion this weekend and we couldn’t be extra stoked. After a foul snow yr in 2024 pressured its first-ever hiatus, Jackson Gap’s iconic occasion returns with situations which might be nothing in need of excellent. With 33 inches of contemporary snow within the final seven days and one other 10 inches projected earlier than the beginning of the occasion window on February eighth, the occasion’s timing couldn’t be lining up extra completely. This window will prolong to the fifteenth so preserve an eye fixed out on social media for the official announcement date.
This yr brings a contemporary format the place every class (Males’s Ski, Males’s Snowboard, Ladies’s Ski and Ladies’s Snowboard) crown particular person winners, and on prime of {that a} man and girl will probably be chosen as King and Queen for greatest total efficiency. As we eagerly await the competitors date announcement, listed here are FREESKIER’s Kings and Queens of Corbet’s predictions that no one requested for—particularly snowboarders.
Mens Ski
Begin Checklist:
– Alex Beaulieu-Marchand
– Alex Hackel
– Colby Stevenson
– Lalo Rambaud
– Tim McChesney
– Tristen Lilly
The Favourite: With Loopy Karl saying just a few days in the past that he could be withdrawing from King’s and Queen’s this yr that leaves just one man Colby Stevenson. Colby is returning this yr to defend his 2023 crown and since his victory two years in the past he has continued to raise his snowboarding in each facet of the game. He began off the season by releasing his film “Proof” the place he showcased his means to destroy gnarly Alaskan spines and throw loopy rotations within the backcountry. He adopted his first solo challenge up with an X-Video games Gold in Streetstyle simply a few weeks in the past in Aspen.
The Underdog: Lalo Rambaud is a 22-year-old French phenom whose infectious fashion and inventive visions are turning heads within the Freeride world. His newest challenge, “Triangle,” is an 8-minute quick movie that showcases his surfy, easy method to snowboarding. Directed by Rambaud himself, the movie takes viewers on a journey by way of the epic terrain of Jackson Gap, Gressoney and Balme, the place the 2 associates showcase some lovely snowboarding.
Last Choose: Colby Stevenson
Ladies’s Ski
Begin Checklist:
-Ana Eyssimont
-Claire McPherson
-Piper Kunst
-Veronica Paulsen
The Favourite: Claire McPherson and Veronica Paulsen are neck-and-neck favorites for the ladies’s ski crown, every bringing their model of huge mountain snowboarding to Corbet’s. McPherson returns to defend her 2023 title, and we couldn’t be extra fired as much as watch her calculated fashion in motion. In the meantime, Paulsen, who captured the Folks’s Alternative Award in 2023 after changing into the primary girl to aim a double backflip into Corbet’s, is again with unfinished enterprise. Our prediction? That is the yr she rides away clear from the double.
The Underdog: Piper Kunst won’t match the standard underdog narrative, however after surrendering her 2022 crown, and touchdown in second place on the 2023 King and Queens, she’s returning with one thing to show. Kunst’s method to snowboarding is pure chaos—she assaults the mountain with the fearless dedication of a honey badger, exhibiting zero hesitation on the subject of sending it off actually something.
Last Choose: Veronica Paulsen
Males’s Snowboard
Begin Checklist:
-Jack Wiley
-Keegan Hosefros
-Mason Lemery
-Windham Miller
-Yuki Kadono
The Favourite: Yuki Kadono stands as certainly one of snowboarding’s most electrical abilities. In 2012, he made historical past because the youngest rider ever invited to compete in Massive Air and Slopestyle occasions. Since then, he’s dominated the aggressive scene with two US Open victories and 6 X Video games medals. Final yr, Kadono showcased his signature fashion in “Airloom,” bringing his sleepy fashion to the backcountry of northern Tahoe and Jackson Gap.
The Underdog: Mason Lemery has been turning heads as snowboarding’s latest prodigy since making the transfer to Mt. Bachelor. We extremely advocate trying out his Instagram feed as a result of the methods he posts are really diabolical. The rising star lately showcased his full artistic vary in “Screwdriver,” a snowboard movie that completely balances mind-bending using with genuine buddy banter.
Last Choose: Mason Lemery
Ladies’s Snowboard
Begin Checklist:
-Cheryl Maas
-Erika Vikander
-Madison Blackley
-Sarka Pancochova
The Favourite: Sarka Pancochova returns after her spectacular third-place exhibiting in 2023, the place she wowed the group with a uniquely artistic entrance into Corbet’s earlier than executing a textbook run by way of the remaining options. Since that podium end, she’s been pushing her limits within the backcountry, and we’re excited to see what she has in retailer for this yr’s competitors.
The Underdog Sorta: Erika “The Viking” Vikander stands as one of many world’s greatest ladies freeride snowboarders. Throughout her sixth season on the Freeride World Tour, she claimed total silver in 2022 and back-to-back bronze medals in 2020 and 2021 earlier than stepping away from competitors after the 2023 season. Following her departure from the tour, Vikander devoted her time to creating “Be Comfortable,” a movie and fervour challenge that confronts the gender inequalities she and numerous others have confronted in snow sports activities. Now, in 2025, she’s bringing her highly effective using fashion and aggressive spirit again to Jackson Gap, prepared to point out Corbet’s Couloir precisely what she’s able to.
Last Choose: Erika Vikander
King and Queen Prediction
2025 King: Colby Stevenson
2025 Queen: Veronica Paulsen
