The high-octane world of professional snowboarding gathered for three days of intense competition at the 2026 Uninvited Invitational, presented by The North Face. Spanning a rigorous schedule of qualifiers and finals, the elite event brought together 70 of the world’s top female and non-binary snowboarders hailing from 17 different countries. Set against a custom-built venue designed by renowned course creator Ben Bilocq, the competition pushed the boundaries of modern freestyle snowboarding, rewarding athletes not merely for technical difficulty, but for their artistic expression, board control, and unmistakable individuality on snow.
Amid unpredictable mountain weather that culminated in a dramatic, full-blown lightning storm, the athletes delivered a masterclass in resilience and skill. Despite adverse conditions, the event area was defined by massive crowds, enthusiastic spectators, and a vibrant community atmosphere. The sheer volume of energy radiating from both the competitors and the onlookers underscored the unique cultural significance of the Uninvited Invitational within the broader landscape of action sports.
Course Architecture and Judging Criteria
At the heart of the competition was Ben Bilocq’s meticulously crafted course, which prioritized a video-part heavy aesthetic suited to riders who excel in creative street and park environments. Judges evaluated competitors across five core pillars: control, style, trick selection, difficulty, and the elusive overall "wow" factor. In this format, execution and flow carry equal weight to the technical complexity of a maneuver, ensuring that riders with distinctive personal styles could truly separate themselves from the field.
A standout feature of the 2026 course was the triumphant return of a fan-favorite obstacle: the Batting Cage, affectionately dubbed "Nicolas Cage." Evolving from previous iterations, this year’s setup was divided into two distinct configurations—a sprawling wallride and an intricate rail feature. Both obstacles were deliberately finished with a raw, weathered layer of rust and wear, lending the entire competition zone an authentic, street-ready urban grit that challenged athletes to adapt their urban techniques to a competitive mountain venue.
Chronology of the Three-Day Competition
The event unfolded over a demanding three-day window, beginning with two intense days of qualifiers. Seventy athletes took to Bilocq’s course, each fighting to secure a coveted spot in the finals. The preliminary rounds established a high benchmark, with judges closely monitoring consistency and creative line choices.
Day one immediately highlighted the depth of the international field. Standout performances from riders such as Himari Takamori, Marie Kuhlmann, and Jess Perlmutter earned them early YETI Standout honors and $500 stipends, signaling their dominance early in the week. Day two continued this momentum, with Mela Stalker, Henna Ikola, and Midori Oshima delivering exceptional runs that captured the attention of both the judges and the live audience, securing their own day-two standout recognitions.
The culmination of the event arrived on the final day, where the qualified finalists laid down their most ambitious runs of the week. Despite the interruption of severe weather, including localized lightning that tested the operational resolve of organizers and competitors alike, the finals proceeded at a world-class standard.
Podium Results and Major Award Winners
When the dust settled and the final scores were tallied, the podium reflected a potent mix of established global talent and rising innovators.
Himari Takamori emerged as the undisputed champion of the 2026 Uninvited Invitational. Takamori delivered a masterclass in style and technical execution, capturing the first-place podium finish alongside a $15,000 cash prize. Her dominance was further cemented when she secured the Best Trick award and an additional $2,000 for executing a flawless backtail back 270 on the dugout feature.
Second place and an $11,000 prize went to Jess Perlmutter, whose powerful riding and consistent execution throughout the qualifiers and finals earned widespread praise from the judging panel. Livia Tanné claimed third place and an $8,000 prize, displaying an impressive repertoire of technical maneuvers. Hinano Sakamoto finished fourth, taking home $6,000, while Bella Warren rounded out the top five with a fifth-place finish and a $4,000 award.
Specialty awards recognized excellence in specific disciplines and cultural contributions to the event:
- Quarterpipe Nicolas Cage: Stefi Luxton ($2,000)
- YETI Rookie: Miyu Oishi ($1,500)
- The North Face Never Stop Award: Yuri Takizawa ($1,500)
- Livestream People’s Champ: Henna Ikola ($1,500)
- Switch Boss: Selin Lakatha ($1,500)
- Style Boss: Henna Ikola ($1,500)
- Dark Horse: Mela Stalker ($1,500)
- Baldface Stoke: Midori Oshima (awarded a trip to Risk Maturity or Low-Maintenance)
Broader Impact and Industry Implications
The Uninvited Invitational continues to serve as a vital institutional pillar for progression and representation within snowboarding. By providing a dedicated platform featuring substantial prize purses—totaling tens of thousands of dollars across primary and specialty categories—the event directly addresses historical disparities in competitive opportunities for women and non-binary riders.
Industry analysts note that events of this scale not only elevate individual athletes’ careers through high-visibility global livestreams and media coverage, but also validate alternative, creativity-driven contest formats. The integration of street-inspired obstacles like the "Nicolas Cage" features bridges the gap between urban video parts and contest riding, pushing the sport toward a more expressive future.
The success of the 2026 edition was made possible through the collaborative backing of its presenting partner, The North Face, alongside a robust coalition of supporting brands including YETI, Subaru USA, Woodward Park City, Nidecker, Fat Tire, CAPiTA Snowboards, Union Binding Co., Sun Bum, SALTT, Smith Optics, Coal Headwear, Baldface Lodge, and Slush Magazine.
As the snowboarding community reflects on the milestones achieved during the three-day competition, the 2026 Uninvited Invitational stands as a testament to the tenacity, camaraderie, and unmatched progression defining the pinnacle of modern snowboarding.
