Featured Picture: Amy Jimmerson
The Kings and Queens of Corbet’s is again in motion this weekend and we couldn’t be extra stoked. After a nasty snow yr in 2024 compelled its first-ever hiatus, Jackson Gap’s iconic occasion returns with circumstances which are nothing in need of good. With 33 inches of contemporary snow within the final seven days and one other 10 inches projected earlier than the beginning of the occasion window on February eighth. This window will lengthen to the fifteenth so hold a watch out on social media for the official announcement date.
This yr brings a contemporary format the place every class (Males’s Ski, Males’s Snowboard, Ladies’s Ski and Ladies’s Snowboard) crown particular person winners, and on high of {that a} man and lady will likely be chosen as King and Queen for finest general efficiency. As we eagerly await the competitors date announcement, listed here are FREESKIER’s Kings and Queens of Corbet’s predictions that no one requested for—particularly snowboarders.
Mens Ski
Begin Record:
– Alex Beaulieu-Marchand
– Alex Hackel
– Colby Stevenson
– Lalo Rambaud
– Tim McChesney
– Tristen Lilly
The Favourite: With Loopy Karl asserting a couple of days in the past that he can be withdrawing from King’s and Queen’s this yr that leaves just one man Colby Stevenson. Colby is returning this yr to defend his 2023 crown and since his victory two years in the past he has continued to raise his snowboarding in each side of the game. He began off the season by releasing his film “Proof” the place he showcased his skill to destroy gnarly Alaskan spines and throw loopy rotations within the backcountry. He adopted his first solo challenge up with an X-Video games Gold in Streetstyle simply a few weeks in the past in Aspen.
The Underdog: Lalo Rambaud is a 22-year-old French phenom whose infectious type and artistic visions are turning heads within the Freeride world. His newest challenge, “Triangle,” is an 8-minute brief movie that showcases his surfy, easy method to snowboarding. Directed by Rambaud himself, the movie takes viewers on a journey via the epic terrain of Jackson Gap, Gressoney and Balme, the place the 2 pals showcase some stunning snowboarding.
Last Decide: Colby Stevenson
Ladies’s Ski
Begin Record:
-Ana Eyssimont
-Claire McPherson
-Piper Kunst
-Veronica Paulsen
The Favourite: Claire McPherson and Veronica Paulsen are neck-and-neck favorites for the ladies’s ski crown, every bringing their model of massive mountain snowboarding to Corbet’s. McPherson returns to defend her 2023 title, and we couldn’t be extra fired as much as watch her calculated type in motion. In the meantime, Paulsen, who captured the Individuals’s Selection Award in 2023 after changing into the primary lady to aim a double backflip into Corbet’s, is again with unfinished enterprise. Our prediction? That is the yr she rides away clear from the double.
The Underdog: Piper Kunst won’t match the standard underdog narrative, however after surrendering her 2022 crown, and touchdown in second place on the 2023 King and Queens, she’s returning with one thing to show. Kunst’s method to snowboarding is pure chaos—she assaults the mountain with the fearless willpower of a honey badger, displaying zero hesitation in terms of sending it off actually something.
Last Decide: Veronica Paulsen
Males’s Snowboard
Begin Record:
-Jack Wiley
-Keegan Hosefros
-Mason Lemery
-Windham Miller
-Yuki Kadono
The Favourite: Yuki Kadono stands as certainly one of snowboarding’s most electrical skills. In 2012, he made historical past because the youngest rider ever invited to compete in Large Air and Slopestyle occasions. Since then, he’s dominated the aggressive scene with two US Open victories and 6 X Video games medals. Final yr, Kadono showcased his signature type in “Airloom,” bringing his sleepy type to the backcountry of northern Tahoe and Jackson Gap.
The Underdog: Mason Lemery has been turning heads as snowboarding’s latest prodigy since making the transfer to Mt. Bachelor. We extremely suggest trying out his Instagram feed as a result of the methods he posts are really diabolical. The rising star not too long ago showcased his full inventive vary in “Screwdriver,” a snowboard movie that completely balances mind-bending using with genuine pal banter.
Last Decide: Mason Lemery
Ladies’s Snowboard
Begin Record:
-Cheryl Maas
-Erika Vikander
-Madison Blackley
-Sarka Pancochova
The Favourite: Sarka Pancochova returns after her spectacular third-place displaying in 2023, the place she wowed the group with a uniquely inventive entrance into Corbet’s earlier than executing a textbook run via the remaining options. Since that podium end, she’s been pushing her limits within the backcountry, and we’re excited to see what she has in retailer for this yr’s competitors.
The Underdog Sorta: Erika “The Viking” Vikander stands as one of many world’s finest ladies freeride snowboarders. Throughout her sixth season on the Freeride World Tour, she claimed general silver in 2022 and back-to-back bronze medals in 2020 and 2021 earlier than stepping away from competitors after the 2023 season. Following her departure from the tour, Vikander devoted her time to creating “Be Completely satisfied,” a movie and fervour challenge that confronts the gender inequalities she and numerous others have confronted in snow sports activities. Now, in 2025, she’s bringing her highly effective using type and aggressive spirit again to Jackson Gap, prepared to indicate Corbet’s Couloir precisely what she’s able to.
Last Decide: Erika Vikander
King and Queen Prediction
2025 King: Colby Stevenson
2025 Queen: Veronica Paulsen
