Moonlight Basin Freeride World Tour Qualifier Venue: The Headwaters
On March 14-18 Moonlight Basin will host the Freeride World Qualifier here in Big Sky, Montana. A 4- star Subaru Freeride Series event. Athletes from all around North America will come to test their skills and compete for a coveted spot on the Freeride World Tour. Although the exact boundaries will not be disclosed until after inspection by Mountain Sports International, the Headwaters terrain is slated to be the venue for this season’s event.
Tune in here for the most up to date snow conditions, videos, and venue details.
Last Updated 3/18/13
Images and info courtesy of MSI. More event photos and video coming soon!
The results are in, and it was a close one. Coming in first overall for the women was Hadley Hammer out of Jackson Hole, WY. Hadley was the last woman to ski today and still managed to choose an original line featuring an air at the top, clean fast turns to the looker’s left side of the venue and a big air near the bottom. She skied flawlessly without hesitation throughout both days of competition earning a total combined score of 150.00.
Local Montana skier and Moonlight Basin wildcard Sasha Dingle skied a super aggressive line linking several features and a significant straight-line which positioned her on the second podium spot. She had a total combined score of 139.67. Rounding out the ladies’ podium, Katrina DeVore from Aspen, CO took third overall by executing technically strong, fast and fluid runs. DeVore’s total score was 132.00.
Hammer, Dingle, & DeVore on the Moonlight Basin podium(photo: A.Jimmerson).
The men’s field was stacked with talent. An extremely narrow margin of 0.33 points separated the first and second place overall finishers. Skiing out of Vail, CO, Patty Baskins did it all. Baskins demonstrated he is a highly skilled big mountain rider and masterful freeskier. He effortlessly linked several features while introducing style elements like an off-axis 360 to his run today and a giant mute grab yesterday. Baskins’ creative style earned him the top score of 154.00.
Following Baskins closely in second place, Christian Boucher-fondly known as “Little C”- demonstrated strong intelligence with his line choice and skied a completely solid run. Boucher was awarded with a score of 153.67. In third place, Randy Evans out of Bridger Bowl, MT topped off a sweet and smooth run with a giant crowd-pleasing back flip at the bottom.
Baskins, Boucher, & Evans take the men’s Subaru Freeride Series Stop #1 podium(photo: A.Jimmerson).
In addition to podium awards, several riders were nominated for the coveted Sick Bird presented by Backcountry.com. The Sick Bird award is highly revered by the big mountain freeride community and is granted riders who challenge not only themselves but also the sport through their athletic performance. The 2013 Moonlight Basin Sick Bird was awarded to Conner Pelton. Pelton was smooth and quick through a super exposed “billy goat” section, which lead to a big air through a straight-line. He finished his run with a styley cork-360.
Sick Bird award presented by Backcountry.com recipient Connor Pelton(photo: A.Jimmerson).
3/16/13
The judges are still working on the results, and rightfully so. Rumor has it that it’s going to be a close one. In the meantime here are a few images curtousy of Patrick Larson of today’s action to tide you over.
Firm, fast, and fluid, seemed to be the key to success oday.
One of today’s victims of the hell that is the Headwaters.
Making it look easy… and it wasn’t.
Class 4 was nominated for the Sick Bird numerous times today.
Tip of the cap to all of today’s competitors. They stepped up and slayed big features despite the firm conditions.
Day 2 venue.
3/15/13
The judges had their hands full with Day 1 qualifiers. The field of competitors put their heart and soul into their runs. Firm conditions did not deter many athletes from putting it on the line and rising to the challenge. Here is a quick recap of the day’s highlights. Click HERE for more images and results from FWQ.
Pat Gannon stepping up and sending The Tetris Piece.
… and the crowd goes wild!
The judges keeping a close eye on the competition.
FWQ competitor taking the leap off of the Lillie Pad.
The ladies were the first to go, and waisted no time slaying Hells Half Acre.
One of the gnarliest falls of the day. Believe it on not he skied away from this.
3/13/13
Temps have been hovering in the upper 30′s with calm winds and overcast skies. Snow conditions have been reported as variable, with mostly buffed, chalky, carveable snow and areas of softer creamy snow and firm wind affected sastrugi. Zones I and II of the Headwaters are closed to the public until after the event. Headwaters Bowl to Firehole, and Obsidian are still open and skiing well. MSI has accessed conditions and determined the venue boundaries for day 1(see below). Ski patrol has been working hard to make improvements to the Headwaters hike in preparation for our guests. Expanded trails, switchbacks, rope lines, and additional signage have been added.
Hot off the presses! Day 1 venue released.
Headwaters view from the North side of Lone Peak.
View of Three Forks above the Elbow Room.
View of Jack Creek to Whitetail from the North.
View of Firehole to Jack Creek from the North.
Freeride World Qualifier Wildcard Sasha Dingle making her way out to Jack Creek.
Returning FWQ athletes are sure to appreciate the new rope lines and other trail improvements.
Moonlight Ski Patroller Merik putting in a long day on the pick axe getting ready for the event.
If you see Merik this weekend be sure to buy him a beer… He earned it!
Trail expansion across the top of the Headwaters hike.
Not a feature to be taken lightly. The Tetris Piece as seen from below in Rock Creek.
The Toad as seen from above.
The Toad as seen from below in the Headwaters Bowl.
The Whitewaters(Class 6, 5, & 4) as seen from below in the Headwaters Bowl.
3/11/13
Trace of new snow in the past 24 hours, 12-24 degrees at the Headwaters lift, and WNW winds 15-45 mph. The forecast is calling for a 50% chance of snow Tuesday with a high of 24 degrees. Ski Patrol will be closing the Headwaters and Dead Goat hiking areas to the public starting Wed, March 13. MSI is scheduled to come that day to inspect and determine the boundaries for the venue. Zone Zero(Headwaters Bowl, Alder Gulch, and Cold Springs) and Obsidian will remain open. Ski Patrol has asked that skiers and riders be respectful of these boundaries and let the venue heal for our competitors. Tune in for more condition updates Tuesday afternoon.
The clouds lifted giving us our first glimpse of the venue this morning.
View of Jack Creek to the Elbow Room from the buttress down.
View of Hells Half Acre to Class 4 from the buttress down.
View of Class 5 to Dead Goat from the buttress down.
3/8/13
Snowing and socked in most of the day. Weather stations reported +4″ today and 5-8″ in the past 72 hours. High of 26 degrees in the Headwaters, NW winds 5-10 mph, and a 61″ mid mountain base. Although the visibility was low, spirits were high, and conditions didn’t seem to slow many of the local FWQ hopefuls down.
Pat Gannon seding The Toad during one of today’s practice runs.
3/7/13
4″ overnight and South West winds loaded the Headwaters. Reports of boot top deep turns from the first buttress down.
Six Class to Third Fork.
Jack and Rock Creek.
The Wishbone.
The Dance Floor above Hellroaring and Hell’s Half Acre.
The Equal Signs coming into the Elbow Room.
The Tetris Piece.
3/6/13
Will this event have a live feed over the internet?