Featured Picture: Chad Chomlack, Courtesy of NST Ski | Skier: Michelle Parker
Editor’s Be aware: Spoilers forward! You should definitely click on right here and watch the total broadcast of Pure Choice Ski earlier than scrolling right down to keep away from any undesirable spoilers of the occasion outcomes.
It was the showdown we wished—and the one which snowboarding wanted. The 2025 Pure Choice Ski comp, the primary of its type, debuted yesterday, April 18, and it was precisely what freeskiing has been ready for.
Pure Choice, initially a snowboard-only competitors created by mastermind Travis Rice, introduced its growth into snowboarding—in addition to mountain biking and browsing—final 12 months. With the primary iteration of this new addition now within the books, it’s secure to say NST has gained the hearts of skiers all over the place.
NST is a bracket-style comp, the place riders compete head-to-head. As they lay all of it on the road, judges assess their traces primarily based on Creativity, Threat, Execution, Problem and Total impression.
The 4 girls, Manon Loschi, Maggie Voisin, Hedvig Wessel and Michelle Parker, all began as one warmth, whereas the Males’s Ski discipline was damaged up into two heats. The primary consisted of Sam Kuch, Parker White, Colby Stevenson and Kai Jones, with the second pitting Craig Murray, Max Palm, Markus Eder and Kye Peterson in opposition to one another.
Situations had been dicey, with fast warming and a little bit of snowfall simply earlier than the competitors day. The competitors face, dubbed Precedence 1, held tons of of various options and distinctive line decisions. Parker White opened up the day and received to pattern the snow on a number of totally different points, which included an attention-grabbing mixture of tough crust and deep pow. The opponents adjusted their driving to navigate the solar crust on the south-facing slopes, powered via the chop and sniffed out the points that held comfortable landings and clear turns.
After a full day of battling, the finals got here right down to to Manon Loschi and Michelle Parker on the ladies’s aspect, with Craig Murray going up in opposition to Sam Kuch on the lads’s aspect. You in all probability couldn’t draw it up any higher than that. Parker displayed impressively-composed snowboarding and snuck a giant air into her remaining run, however Loschi countered with a full descent of clean, quick and fluid turns. The judges had Loschi as the favourite, giving her a 65.0 to 60.0 victory.
Within the Males’s Ultimate, Murray and Kuch put all of it on the desk, to nobody’s shock. Every had their ups and downs, with Murray lacing one of many cleanest 360s of all time and a large backflip in an ultra-clean second run. Kuch’s first run very nicely might have delivered the win, however he misplaced a ski in a wild binding malfunction, forcing the judges to dock him a number of factors. He then went for a seemingly inconceivable air in his subsequent run, coasting 100 toes or extra down the mountain and practically caught it. Finally, Murray was awarded the win with a rating of 85.0 to 70.0.
FREESKIER’s High 2025 NST Ski Highlights
Parker White cracking the day open with a picturesque P White entrance flip.
Colby Stevenson’s huge hand drag 3’s from the highest rope. Sure, he did a number of.
Maggie Voisin, one of the dominant freestyle skiers in historical past, trying comfy snowboarding big AK traces.
Max Palm’s Spherical 2 Session 2 run, the place he punted a number of 40+ foot airs and two 360s together with his vest unzipped vast open. It’s true, fashion guidelines all.
Markus Eder making an attempt and touchdown tips that haven’t any enterprise being thrown on an AK face. He received the 7, he’ll be again to place the dub 10 to his toes subsequent time.
Michelle Parker’s second Finals run. Composed, technical, pristine snowboarding. The judges opted in favor of Manon Loschi’s clean styling, surfy turns as an alternative of Parker’s air time, however it was an in depth name in our books.
Craig Murray and Sam Kuch going head-to-head within the finals. Freeride snowboarding at its peak (no pun supposed). Only a staggering exhibiting of creativity, athleticism and large airs. Watch it. Then watch it ten extra occasions.
🥇 Manon Loschi (FRA)
🥈 Michelle Parker (USA)
🥉 Hedvig Wessel (NOR)
🥇 Craig Murray (NZL)
🥈 Sam Kuch (CAN)
🥉 Markus Eder (ITA)
An enormous thanks to Travis Rice and the whole NST crew who made this potential. Freeskiing dearly wanted an occasion like this that can absolutely draw extra eyes, cash and keenness into the game.
We’re thrilled that this comp went off as easily as potential, and we’re already making predictions for subsequent 12 months!
