Revelstoke terrain highlights skills at 2025 YETI Natural Selection

Revelstoke’s terrain and famous snow took centre stage at the 2025 YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke, with both competition days hosted in Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s (RMR) Montana Bowl. Storms rolled in days before the Friday, March 14 start and competitors were eager to hit the slopes.

“This snow is the best situation we could have asked for,” Ellery Manning, youngest competitor at Natural Selection and winner of the inaugural Research and Development competition told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “Snow better watch out!”

The snow was ready to give riders a show, whether supportive or offering more of a challenge. Competitor Madison Blackley possibly shared the most telling words in what challenge the terrain offered. 

“I don’t want to get lost in there,” Blackley told crowds at the launch party. She might have been referring to the clusters of trees that gave riders a chance to weave in and out. But many riders were entirely swallowed by the deep powder after landing, bringing drone pilot Gabriel Kocher to a standstill as he waited for riders to dig out of the mound and carry on. That particular challenge only seemed to bring more excitement for riders and fans alike

“I’ve dreamed of venues like this. I can’t explain how magical this mountain is,” Blake Moller told Revelstoke Mountaineer. Other competitors added it wasn’t just the snow and conditions fueling their eagerness to hit the slopes but also the support from the community.

“There is immense pride in it being in Canada,” Mikey Ciccarelli, 2024 YETI Natural Selection winner and Canadian rider said. The growing popularity of Natural Selection Revelstoke has been an overall boost for Canada’s spot in the snowboarding world, one he’s excited to see develop more with Revelstoke’s help.

The move from heliskiing competitors out to a remote part of the Selkirk mountains to hosting the entire competition in Montana Bowl was in part due to the growing support Revelstoke has shown the international snowboard competition, Liam Griffin, Natural Selection chief operations officer said.

“This town has shown up time and time again. So, we had a sort of ‘build it and they will come,’ moment this year based on how much interest we had last year from folks wanting to come out to the venue.”

Audiences trekked in and out of the YETI viewing zone, high fiving competitors as they rode into the venue and finding spots in the deep snow to settle in and watch the competition. Audiences also gathered at RMR’s Revelation Lodge to watch the rides. 

“It’s one of the biggest snowboarding events and it’s here in our backyard? Of course you get excited for that,” local rider Vicky Mohr told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “You can be a part of it, whether you ride to the competition or enjoy at the lodge, and that makes it fun for so many.”

While technical issues delayed viewing for outside audiences the vibes were still high to cheer on the riders and celebrate snowboarding.

“It’s quite a bit scary seeing the challenging terrain that they’re going in, but it’s a fun atmosphere, and it brings a lot of folks together,” said local boarder Samantha Barrow, who viewed the rides from the screen inside the lodge. Having ridden at various resorts in Canada, she’s excited to see Revelstoke as the backdrop for some of the most skilled riders.

Natural Selection rookie Ståle Sandbech out of Norway took the win for the men’s bracket with Moller scoring second place and Austria’s Gigi Rüf taking third. Canadian Spencer O’Brien earned herself top spot for the women’s bracket with USA’s Elena Hight ranking second and Czechia’s Šárka Pančochová joining them on the podium. You can watch the full competition and see full results on Red Bull TV.