The highly anticipated Natural Selection Tour (NST) is poised to captivate audiences worldwide, launching its 2026 season with an innovative expansion of its competitive format, featuring the new NST Super Sessions and the pivotal Research & Development (RND) event. These preliminary stages are designed to identify and propel top talent into the main tour, setting the stage for what promises to be another groundbreaking year in elite freeride snowboarding. The tour, renowned for pushing the boundaries of competitive backcountry freestyle, continues its mission to blend athletic prowess with nature’s raw canvas, celebrating creativity, skill, and strategic line choice across some of the planet’s most iconic snow-laden landscapes.
A New Competitive Frontier: The Super Sessions Format
Central to the 2026 season’s evolution is the introduction of the NST Super Sessions, a format conceived to broaden the tour’s reach and unearth diverse talent from across the globe. This refined structure sees three distinct groups, each comprising five exceptionally skilled riders, converge in unique, natural freeride environments. From each intense Super Session, two standout competitors will earn coveted spots in the main Natural Selection Tour event, scheduled to unfold later this week in Revelstoke, British Columbia. This system not only intensifies the initial competition but also ensures that the athletes advancing to the main stage are truly at the pinnacle of their game, having proven their adaptability and mastery in varied conditions. The strategic choice of locations—Powder Mountain, Utah, and Myoko, Japan—underscores the tour’s commitment to showcasing diverse terrains and challenging riders with distinct snow characteristics, from Utah’s vast, raw acreage to Japan’s legendary deep powder.
Powder Mountain, Utah: A Testament to Raw Terrain Mastery
The first NST Super Session unfolded amidst the expansive, untamed wilderness of Powder Mountain, Utah. Competitors were challenged within the resort’s formidable "Don’t Mention It" zone, a vast expanse of over 1,000 acres characterized by its natural, unfiltered terrain. This zone, celebrated for its varied aspects, challenging tree lines, steep pitches, and natural features, demands not only technical proficiency but also an innate ability to read the mountain and select creative, high-scoring lines. The five riders tasked with navigating this formidable landscape included Blake Paul, known for his smooth, stylish approach and effortless flow; Brock Crouch, a powerful all-around rider with a strong competitive background; Brin Alexander, an emerging talent rapidly making a name for herself in the freeride scene; Garrett Warnick, celebrated for his aggressive, big-mountain lines and deep backcountry experience; and Yuki Kadono, entering as a wildcard, bringing a formidable freestyle background that promises innovative feature utilization. Each rider’s performance in this environment was meticulously judged on factors including line choice, control, fluidity, trick execution, and overall impression, under the critical eye of a panel that values authenticity and progression in natural terrain. The results from Powder Mountain have already sparked considerable discussion within the snowboarding community, highlighting the high stakes and exceptional talent on display.
Myoko, Japan: Navigating the Deepest Snows on Earth
Following the intense competition in Utah, the NST Super Sessions shifted its focus to the legendary snowfields of Myoko, Japan. This region is globally renowned for possessing one of the deepest average annual snowpacks on earth, often exceeding 15 meters in a single season. The terrain around Myoko is uniquely characterized by its rolling volcanic topography, which, when blanketed in meters of light, dry powder, transforms into a fluid, almost limitless canvas for progressive freestyle expression. Riders here must master the art of "pillow popping" – launching off natural snow features – and navigating deep, often challenging, powder conditions that demand robust technique and an almost aquatic sensibility. The term "strapping on their snorkels" is not merely a figure of speech but a literal reflection of the depth of snow riders frequently encounter.
The roster for the Myoko Super Session was equally stacked, featuring Mateo Massitti, a rider celebrated for his powerful style and backcountry acumen; Mason Lemery, known for his creative approach to natural features; Miles Fallon, a freestyle maestro with a knack for integrating park-style tricks into natural settings; and Takeru Otsuka, a Japanese prodigy whose technical prowess and comfort in deep snow are particularly suited to the local conditions. Adding a truly iconic dimension to this group was Terje Håkonsen, participating as a wildcard. Håkonsen, a legendary figure in snowboarding history, is widely regarded as one of the most influential riders of all time, whose presence alone elevates the competitive gravitas of the event. His participation underscored the tour’s commitment to honoring snowboarding heritage while simultaneously fostering new talent. The Myoko session provided a spectacular display of deep powder riding, with athletes pushing the limits of speed, air, and creativity in conditions that are both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Research & Development (RND): The Incubator for Innovation
Beyond the Super Sessions, the Natural Selection Tour also highlights the critical role of the Research & Development (RND) event, held at Whitewater Resort in British Columbia. Founded by Robin Van Gyn, a 2021 Natural Selection Champion and a formidable innovator in big-mountain snowboarding, RND is more than just a contest; it is an invite-only backcountry freestyle forum designed to accelerate progression within the sport and establish a direct pathway into elite freeride competition. Whitewater Resort, nestled in the Selkirk Mountains near Nelson, BC, is an ideal venue for RND, celebrated for its abundant snowfall, diverse terrain, and vibrant local snowboarding culture. The resort offers a mix of open bowls, technical tree runs, and natural features that perfectly suit the event’s mandate.
RND serves as a crucial proving ground where riders can experiment with new techniques, develop innovative lines, and hone their skills in a high-stakes yet supportive environment. Van Gyn’s vision for RND is rooted in fostering a community of progression, allowing riders to push their personal and collective boundaries without the immediate pressure of a direct qualification slot for the main NST. Instead, it offers a platform for recognition, skill refinement, and a potential future pathway to the Natural Selection Tour. The event recently concluded a successful three-day run, showcasing incredible talent and reinforcing its status as a vital component in the broader freeride ecosystem. Reports from the event highlighted a strong emphasis on creative line choices, challenging feature utilization, and a palpable sense of camaraderie among participants, all contributing to the advancement of backcountry freestyle.
The Genesis and Evolution of the Natural Selection Tour
The Natural Selection Tour is the brainchild of professional snowboarder Travis Rice, who envisioned a competitive platform that would move beyond traditional slopestyle and halfpipe contests to embrace the untamed beauty and unpredictable challenges of natural mountain environments. The tour’s lineage can be traced back to earlier, influential events like the Supernatural and Ultra Natural, which set the precedent for judging riders on their ability to integrate freestyle tricks into big-mountain terrain. Launched officially in 2021, the Natural Selection Tour quickly established itself as the pinnacle of backcountry freestyle snowboarding, attracting the world’s best riders and capturing a global audience.
The tour’s mission extends beyond mere competition; it aims to celebrate the freedom of snowboarding, inspire a deeper connection to nature, and promote environmental stewardship. Each location selected for the tour is chosen not only for its world-class terrain but also for its natural beauty and the opportunity it provides to showcase responsible outdoor recreation. The judging criteria emphasize overall impression, line choice, control, flow, and the execution of tricks, rewarding riders who demonstrate creativity, courage, and a profound understanding of the mountain. By bringing this dynamic form of competition to a wider audience through high-quality live broadcasts and engaging content, the Natural Selection Tour has significantly elevated the profile of freeride snowboarding and inspired a new generation of riders to explore the backcountry.
Broader Implications and Industry Impact
The expansion of the Natural Selection Tour with the Super Sessions and the continued success of RND signifies a significant development for competitive snowboarding. This new format not only democratizes access to elite competition by offering more pathways for emerging talent but also diversifies the spectacle for viewers. By staging events in vastly different geographical and snow conditions, the tour truly tests the versatility and adaptability of its athletes, showcasing a more complete spectrum of snowboarding skill.
Furthermore, the tour’s commitment to high production values and global livestreaming capabilities ensures that this progression is accessible to millions. This accessibility, coupled with compelling storytelling and the raw excitement of backcountry competition, serves to grow the sport’s global fanbase and attract new participants. The tour also plays a crucial role in promoting responsible backcountry travel and environmental awareness, often partnering with local conservation efforts and highlighting the delicate balance between human activity and natural ecosystems. The inclusion of legendary figures like Terje Håkonsen alongside rising stars also creates a powerful narrative of intergenerational knowledge transfer and the enduring appeal of pure, unadulterated snowboarding. The strategic development of RND as a feeder system reinforces the tour’s long-term vision for sustainable athlete development and continuous innovation within freeride. Industry analysts view these developments as a positive indicator for the health and growth of snowboarding, particularly in the freeride and backcountry segments, which continue to gain popularity.
Tune In: Catching the Live Action
The excitement culminates with the Natural Selection Opening Ceremony, which will be broadcast live. Fans eager to witness the next chapter of competitive snowboarding are encouraged to tune into the official livestream at 7:30 PM Pacific Time. This live event will provide crucial updates on the riders advancing from the Super Sessions, a recap of the RND highlights, and a comprehensive preview of the main event in Revelstoke. The availability of a global livestream ensures that enthusiasts from every corner of the world can experience the thrill of the Natural Selection Tour as it unfolds, further solidifying its position as the world’s premier freeride snowboarding competition. The journey from the raw terrain of Powder Mountain to the deep powder of Myoko, and through the innovative proving ground of RND, all leads to this pivotal moment, promising an unforgettable season of snowboarding excellence.
Header Photo: Brin Alexander during Natural Selection Snow Super Sessions Powder Mountain – Down Day on February 19, 2026, at Powder Mountain in Eden, Utah. Photo: © Chad Chomlack / Natural Selection Tour
