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July, 2025

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Natural selection.

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Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,324
Now that the athlete list is filling up, what's everyone's thoughts?

The venue being in Alaska somewhat evens the playing field, but there's certainly some skiers there have the advantage.

Craig and Markus are the only two with FWT experience and therefor, id put the odds in their favour.

Kye, Parker, Sammy are there, they just lack the big mountain comp experience

Kie is still a grasshopper. Extremely talented grasshopper, but a grasshopper non the less.

Colby is at the top of the game. Somewhat out of his league, but he fully has the ability.

Who is judging, and what is the judging criteria?

My safe bet is Markus. My money bet is Colby. But I want Parker to win.
6 months ago
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BallClapper
Posts: 3725 - Karma: 16,902
I want to see Toby Rafford.
BigPurpleSkiSuitVenue 1 was dogshit snow for the most part, Venue 2 was insane and full of bangers on bangers. Overall, rough start due to snow, but banger endings.

Biggest takeways:

Sam Kuch is insanely good, like maybe the best skier in the world good. I already knew he was ridiculously good but like even more so seeing him competing now. Markus might be more well rounded in terms of park background but Kuch is just next level on this big mountain terrain.

Kye Petersen is tough as fucking nails. Dude took some of the hardest hits of the day competing with an already cracked rib, just insane, and he also handled the crusty snow at the beginning the best, or at least he was the sendiest.

Craig Murray deserved to win, but he also did ski the same line over and over, I think in years to come, more points should be awarded for opening up new lines too.

I hope we get to see this stop and maybe more on the NST next year, different locations. Maybe do something with the FWT where the winner automatically gets a slot in this, like it would be so sick to see Marcus Goguen compete with these guys on these faces too.
4 months ago
3 1
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abjectwoe
Posts: 662 - Karma: 5,850
BallClapperI want to see Toby Rafford.


And Ben Richards.

And Ross Tester.

And Weitien.
4 months ago
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BallClapper
Posts: 3725 - Karma: 16,902
Tenra too. He’s got a sick sw dub 9. It’s on the dub 7 axis too and that’s insane, don’t think I’ve seen it done that way. Got a big bag.
abjectwoeAnd Ben Richards.

And Ross Tester.

And Weitien.
4 months ago
2 2
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Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,324
abjectwoeAnd Ben Richards.

And Ross Tester.

And Weitien.


BallClapperTenra too. He’s got a sick sw dub 9. It’s on the dub 7 axis too and that’s insane, don’t think I’ve seen it done that way. Got a big bag.


When did they do the event? I'm guessing FWT folk have the time to get to Alaska from Switzerland in time.

Craig showed that having the FWT experience works. Marcus was on the tour, but not as long. In a format where you have more than 1 run, crashes aren't a disqualifyer (the snowboard way), and at least this year, the judges heavily favour fast attack of the fall line.

Personally, i think Colby got robbed in semis, but the judges stayed consistent, so way she goes. I kinda prefer FWT judging more, but I'd love to see the current FWT crop to compete in Alaska with this format. It'll be interesting to compare Alaska to Alaska next year.
4 months ago
1 1
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Thijmen
Posts: 6 - Karma: 46
BallClapperTenra too. He’s got a sick sw dub 9. It’s on the dub 7 axis too and that’s insane, don’t think I’ve seen it done that way. Got a big bag.


I really like tenra as a skier. But he is just not it for nst. I only think that because I dont see him Able to send that Huge. Like the 360 from craig and what the hell sam all did. I just dont see tenra competing in this event
4 months ago
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midwestcoast
Posts: 237 - Karma: 2,414
meh, I'm not a fan of having FWT and NST associated in any way. I don't think any FWT results should dictate an invite or not. The advisory board and event director are all industry legends - I trust their judgement.


I hope this gets enough views to justify running the event next year. I'd guess the production budget was close to $1M.
4 months ago
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Way*Mo
Posts: 784 - Karma: 3,321
I have consistently been underwhelmed by all the NST events since Jackson.

The riding is impressive but something about the filming, packaging, etc makes it feel a bit blasé.

The FWT (at least Men’s Ski) is a much more exciting watch in my mind.

Sam and Craig’s riding especially were insane, but the magnitude of it wasn’t captured very well.
4 months ago
5 1
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skierman
Posts: 8621 - Karma: 9,462
ThijmenI really like tenra as a skier. But he is just not it for nst. I only think that because I dont see him Able to send that Huge. Like the 360 from craig and what the hell sam all did. I just dont see tenra competing in this event


You're a fucking idiot.
4 months ago
2 5
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 6006 - Karma: 3,704
My hot take.


Conditions sucked but what can you do. After the first two runs I almost didn’t continue watching.

Venue wasn’t the best. Limited hits. Limited lines. Cool transfers though.

Format was less than ideal in my mind. It felt anticlimactic. Made for a slow event. Not sure if the heats were random but it was really unfortunate to pair some big dogs together early in the rounds.

if the terrain is going to be like that, I think athletes need to have a hefty big mountain resumes. Some people didn’t cut it.

Kuch is on another level. Strong, controlled, mature, talented.

Kye Petersen’s turns in the first heat were *chef’s kiss*. When everyone was struggling, he made beautiful classic turns. It was nice to see him at an industry event.
4 months ago
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skierman
Posts: 8621 - Karma: 9,462
hemlockjibber8My hot take.


Conditions sucked but what can you do. After the first two runs I almost didn’t continue watching.

Venue wasn’t the best. Limited hits. Limited lines. Cool transfers though..



You're a massive fucking idiot.
4 months ago
4 5
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thatsG
Posts: 2625 - Karma: 1,984
Didn't expect to see people criticizing the Alaska event. Day 1 wasn't ideal conditions but the 2nd was some of the best comp viewing I've seen in years.
4 months ago
4 1
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twizzy69
Posts: 21 - Karma: 231
Way*MoI have consistently been underwhelmed by all the NST events since Jackson.

The riding is impressive but something about the filming, packaging, etc makes it feel a bit blasé.

The FWT (at least Men’s Ski) is a much more exciting watch in my mind.

Sam and Craig’s riding especially were insane, but the magnitude of it wasn’t captured very well.


The crowd and live announcing definitely contribute to FWT being comparatively more exciting to watch, even if the NST skiing and format are better. Would love to see a live NST event, but may not be possible with the format and venue.
4 months ago
0 0
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 6006 - Karma: 3,704
Way*MoI have consistently been underwhelmed by all the NST events since Jackson.

The riding is impressive but something about the filming, packaging, etc makes it feel a bit blasé.

The FWT (at least Men’s Ski) is a much more exciting watch in my mind.

Sam and Craig’s riding especially were insane, but the magnitude of it wasn’t captured very well.


Exactly this. As a whole it didn't jam. I thought the FWT is kind of boring to watch live with all the downtime, but it is way more exciting than NST. NST is slow, and repetitive. Despite insane skiing.
4 months ago
3 1
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wameron
Posts: 1242 - Karma: 1,324
Echoing the announcers but Kuch really could have had his first run of the semis as a standalone film part
4 months ago
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Burrrlapz
Posts: 387 - Karma: 6,956
format was pretty exciting honestly. I found it confusing at first but it was sick to get to see everyone do so many laps. Its NST, its supposed to be creative and funky so I back it.

snow was variable, but that's spines for ya. Pretty normal for the snow to be good on one aspect and shit on the other. Pretty much insane riding from everyone. Sam stole the show x10, as expected.

Ski vs Snowboard NST, seemed like the moral of the story is everyone was crazy grateful for the experience. Big camaraderie vibes, pretty sick.

Lastly, it seems really hard to go do your best AK line of your life on demand with 10 other rippers also skiing the face. Super gnar. Some super hero shit going on out there on that day.

Overall that was a huge effort they took on to make a sick ski event, props to NST for going all out for the ski scene and including us in it. If you've got shit to bitch about it, go make your own world class Alaska contest see how it goes for you.
4 months ago
8 0
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turntable
Posts: 2743 - Karma: 876
best ski contest ive watched in awhile. hard to critique. 2 best skiers made final.

maybe if the terrain was more like the snowboard contest and less critical it would even out the field and open up the list of riders. sam & craig were like the only riders who could ski that shit so fast.
4 months ago
2 0
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Breccanh
Posts: 106 - Karma: 548
Burrrlapzformat was pretty exciting honestly. I found it confusing at first but it was sick to get to see everyone do so many laps. Its NST, its supposed to be creative and funky so I back it.

snow was variable, but that's spines for ya. Pretty normal for the snow to be good on one aspect and shit on the other. Pretty much insane riding from everyone. Sam stole the show x10, as expected.

Ski vs Snowboard NST, seemed like the moral of the story is everyone was crazy grateful for the experience. Big camaraderie vibes, pretty sick.

Lastly, it seems really hard to go do your best AK line of your life on demand with 10 other rippers also skiing the face. Super gnar. Some super hero shit going on out there on that day.

Overall that was a huge effort they took on to make a sick ski event, props to NST for going all out for the ski scene and including us in it. If you've got shit to bitch about it, go make your own world class Alaska contest see how it goes for you.


NST surf is the same way. It's everyone stoking each other out in mental waves and even if you don't surf I would recommend watching the event, pretty cool to see even if there is critiques I could give its such a cool event that people just knit pick.
4 months ago
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