This March, Revelstoke will again host one of the largest snowboarding competitions in the world. YETI Natural Selection returns to Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s Montana Bowl for two days of freeriding competition. Twenty-four competitors will hit the slopes, with half the field returning from 2025.
Natural Selection qualifiers take place in Myōkō, Japan and Powder Mountain, Utah this year. But what is it about Revelstoke that has the competition returning for the fourth year for the crowning event?
“From day one, I feel like we’ve been embraced by the people,” Carter Westfall, Natural Selection co-founder and CEO said. “We appreciate the hospitality and the support. I don’t think you get that necessarily everywhere.”
Before bringing YETI Natural Selection to Revelstoke, the team was working on an event at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort with the competition remaining at the resort. In its first year in Revelstoke, Natural Selection headed out to the backcountry and streamed the event to the resort.
“More people showed up to watch it than had ever shown up in Jackson,” Liam Griffin, Natural Selection Tour COO and co-founder said. Those crowds grew even more last year, when the competition took place in the Montana Bowl for the first time, an area that can be skied in and skied out from the main resort.
“We’re used to feeding off each other’s energy but now we’re feeding off the crowd’s energy,” Griffin said, explaining most freeriding competitions take place in isolated backcountry but Revelstoke’s new location is helping change expectations.
“I’m at the top of the venue, I can’t see the crowds. But I can hear them, just this wall of sound that comes up the mountain when a rider leaves my line of sight,” he said.
It’s not just the throngs of snowboard fans who show up for opening ceremony and competition dates that makes Revelstoke one of the best hosts the Natural Selection team works with. It’s every business and organization they interact with leading up to, during and after the competition.
“It’s coffee at [Spilt Milk], dinner at either Kawakubo or Paramjit’s Kitchen and a visit to [Society Snow and Skate] and all the other gear shops in town,” Griffin listed when asked his favourite spots around town. While he may not live in Revelstoke full-time, Griffin said it doesn’t take long for staff to recognize him and welcome him back with a preferred order.
“It’s like we’re going back to see family every year,” Westfall added, explaining shops like Revelstoke Trading Post have become highlights for his kids over the years. Whether it’s the team at Rockford Restaurant or staff at Craft Bierhaus, Westfall said there’s nowhere to go wrong in town.
“I have media all over the world who are trying to figure out how to get here,” Lora Bodmer, Natural Selection Tour head of communications said. While it’s easy to sell the range of terrain on and off the resort that Revelstoke provides, town authenticity has become a highlight for her.
“Last year, during St. Patrick’s Day we were at Craft Bierhaus enjoying a meal, and your local Highlanders pipe band paraded in and performed for us. That feels so uniquely Revelstoke,” Bodmer shared.
While the town and community have easily won over the Natural Selection Tour team and all riders who have competed over the years, the surrounding terrain is a highlight for them all.
“It’s been a really weird winter season for a lot of places,” Griffin said, adding that events throughout the season have been rescheduled or entirely canceled due to low snowpack or poor conditions. “But we have more snow now in Revelstoke than we did at the end of the event last year. I haven’t had to worry about what we’ll get at Revelstoke.”
YETI Natural Selection takes place between Tuesday, March 10 and Sunday, March 15, with official competition dates called depending on weather and conditions. Audiences in Revelstoke can watch the competition at Revelation Lodge or ride out to the base of the competition zone and watch the action in person. You can also watch online through redbull.com/NSTsnow.
Here’s how to participate in the YETI Natural Selection week
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
KICK OFF PARTY — TRAVERSE, 312 1 St. West, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Celebrate the start of Natural Selection Snow’s Revelstoke stop with B.C. DJ Sundog, featuring Oh Nassi. Must be 19 years and older to attend, ID is required. Tickets available at revelstokemountainresort.com.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
ARC’TERYX BACKCOUNTRY CLINICS — Revelstoke Mountain Resort base, 2950 Camozzi Rd., 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Join Canadian Powder Guiding and Arc’teryx for a series of backcountry clinics. Whether you’re looking to brush up on your touring skills, get an introduction to ski mountaineering or learn how to best find your line, there’s something for everyone. Registration at booking.capow.ca/en/category/revelstoke-camps.
MONDAY, MARCH 9 to SUNDAY, MARCH 15
NST APRÈS — Paul Mair Plaza, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd., 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the additional sunshine and some good tunes as you wind down from a day on the hill or attending other NST events.
MONDAY, MARCH 9
NATURAL SELECTION OPENING CEREMONY — Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre, 1007 Vernon Ave., 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Hear all about the new competition style and meet the tour riders for this year’s Natural Selection.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10
PRO SNAKED SLALOM TRIALS — Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The Snaked Slalom is back, and it’s time for pro riders to set their time to determine drop order for the Saturday, March 14 competition. Find the course under the Stellar chair.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 to SUNDAY, MARCH 15
NATURAL SELECTION COMPETITION WINDOW — Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd., time TBD
Mother Nature will have the final say what two days competitors will hit the slopes for Natural Selection 2026.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 to SATURDAY, MARCH 14
ARC’TERYX REBIRD REPAIR POP UP — Revelstoke Business and Visitor Information Centre, 301 Victoria Rd., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Bring your Arc’teryx gear down and have it repaired by the professionals. Stop by 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and enjoy complimentary hot beverages from Spilt Milk and YETI.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
NST AND YETI FILM NIGHT — The Roxy Theatre, 115 MacKenzie Ave., 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Natural Selection Tours and YETI host a screening of Wayward, a documentary showcasing the way women’s snowboarding is changing the sport culture and the athletes who are shaping the sport. Tickets available at The Roxy Theatre and Skookum Ski Shop.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
NST ART GALLERY EXPERIENCE — Alpine Echo Gallery, 1701 Coursier Ave., 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Natural Selection Tours hosts an art show at Alpine Echo’s newest gallery space. Free to attend, all ages welcome.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
PUBLIC SNAKED SLALOM — Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd., 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Snaked Slalom is open to the public! Test your time against the pros and compete against others in your age groups to see who takes home the crown.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
CLOSING PARTY — TRAVERSE, 312 1 St. West, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
It’s time to wrap up the fun and send the YETI Natural Selection Snow winners home with a bang. Come down to TRAVERSE Night club and enjoy the fun.
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