It was arguably the biggest two-day big mountain showdown ever hosted in the west. This year’s Wrangle the Chute blew off the barn doors exceeding expectations and leaving spectators in complete awe. The showdown combined three unique elements including big mountain skiing / riding, a massive terrain park jump finishing off with a bucking bronco ride on the custom kicking horse – suspended between two snowcats, accompanied with a grandstand patio, live DJ and outdoor BBQ.

Photo: Wally Randall

Athletes laid down serious claims on the cash purse that was on the line, with numerous athletes dropping cliff lines surpassing 60 feet. The judges were overwhelmed with the ski and ride talent displayed at the event, however at the end of the day Mathew Montandon from Nelson took home the grand prize, skiing a huge line and pulling a 360 spin off a 50-foot cliff with keeping his run fluid and smooth. This allowed him to gain two extra points against Daryl Treadway who pushed the skiable limits of Big Mountain terrain that would even have a pack of Billy Goats in shock. 15-year-old Rossignol Athlete Logan Pehota took third place as he silenced the spectators, stomping a massive exposed line then rolling into the finish line tossing down a massive spin off the jump.

Photo: Andrew Mirabito

“In three short years of hosting Wrangle the Chute, the event is quickly surpassing the quality of any other freeride event in the world,” states Steve Paccagnan President and CEO, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. “The athletes challenged the course and exceeded the expectations of the record breaking crowd. The entire resort engaged in the cowboy spirit and welcomed visitors with a good old yeah haw!”

Photo: Andrew Mirabito

Thirteen women also partook in the action with Wendy Burns, from Golden, taking an aggressive approach to the Big Moutain Terrain and adding some lasso style to her bronco ride on EJ Hector. Emma Whitman from Sun Peaks stepped up and threw down on the finish line jump impressing the crowd with her overall style, while Zoya Lynch rounded off a solid third place finish.

Photo: Andrew Mirabito

The event also included a unique one day under the gun photo shootout named ‘Wrangle the Shoot’ which took place Saturday, February 5th. The vision of the event is to put the photographers under the gun to capture the day’s action and provide five images at the end of the day for an art show which celebrates the first day of action. Prizing was awarded to the following: Best Lifestyle – Alex Giesbrecht, Best Action – Andrew Mirabito, Best Landscape – Alex Giesbrecht, People Choice Photographer – Ruben Krabbe and Promoter’s Choice – Andrew Mirabito.

Photo: Barry Cox

Special thanks to all the partners who helped make Wrangle the Chute come to life, including the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Big Mountain Centre, Rossignol, Red Bull, Big Rock Brewery, Misconduct Wines, Wrangler Jeans, Smith Optics and Kombi Gloves.

Results

Men

1) Matthew Montandon - 270

2) Daryl Treadway - 268

3) Logan Pehota - 262

4) Stu Bilodeau - 253

5) Phil Hudec - 252

6) Michael Brush - 227

7) Carter McMillan - 225

8) Lane Clark - 223

9) Cody Erwin - 222

10) Ryan Sullivan - 221

11) Michael Legare - 219

12) Chris Shook - 209

13) Kieran Nikula - 208

14) Keegan Capel - 205

15) Nathan Wood - 204

16) Brett Dawley - 202

17) Laurent Gauthier - 198

17) Matt Cote - 198

18) Jordy Kidner - 194

19) Nate Briggs - 192

20) Jeff  Harker - 191

21) Jesse Montandon - 177

22) Eric Young - 176

22) Davis Fultz - 176

23) Mitchell Chernoff - 175

24) Mike Hopkins - 172

25) Alex Wall - 169

26) Mike Witlox - 167

27) Drew Wittstock - 165

28) Austin Ross - 162

29) Matt Elliot - 159

30) Roy Mitchell - 155

30) Curtis McLaughlin - 155

30) Dylan Ross - 155

31) Brodie McLaughlin - 152

32) Bryce McLean - 150

32) Devon Randall - 149

33) Zack Opheim - 144

34) Ryan Hartlin - 139

35) Daniel Tapper - 133

36) Rodrigo Vasquez - 132

37) Mason Goodchild - 118

38) George Ezard - 108

39) Justin Todd - 94

40) Per Nyberg - 93

41) Jon Emberly - 91

42) Kevin Lux - 90

43) Kevin Beach - 82

45) Ryan Waddell - 77

44) David Booher - 77

Women

1) Wendy Burns - 179

2) Emma Whitman - 174

3) Zoya Lynch - 163

4) Rachel Findler - 162

5) Kasie Stroshin - 143

6) Tatum Monod - 142

7) Brooke Dawson - 136

8) Ane Vidar - 133

9) Jana Lindqvist - 122

10) Ali Schroeder - 116

11) Alexandra McMurray - 95

12) Laura Sliva - 87

13) Izzy Lynch - 48

Photos

Promoter's Choice

1) Andrew Mirabito

2) Joe Carter

3)

Luke Charbonneau

People's Choice

1) Ruben Krabbe

2) Barry Cox

3) Alex Giesbrecht

Best Action

1) Andrew Mirabito

2) Chris Thompson

Best Lifestyle

1) Alex Giesbrecht

2) Barry Cox

3) Wally Randall

Best Landscape

1) Barry Cox