Here we go! Round two of the snowboard world shaking event! Tune in right here on Slush this Sunday, March 21 at 1 p.m. PST for a highlight show from the Bronco Natural Selection at Baldface and the unveiling of the event winners.
Read more about the Baldface event and the special format below.
From the Natural Selection desk:
Captured on custom-built racing drones first used at stop one in Jackson Hole, and high-definition camera systems, the Bronco Natural Selection at Baldface highlight show packs a full week of never-before-seen action highlights from Canada’s best competition, film and style riders. The 80-minute show captures the riders from terrain selection, through pushing the boundaries of big mountain freestyle riding in a single showcase line.
“We had an incredible week exploring the backcountry at Baldface’s new terrain in the Valhallas. Riders and film crews worked together with the guides to find and ride some really dynamic features and lines. It was really cool to watch everybody work together to figure out how to take full advantage of this untouched playground Mother Nature presented us with,” said Liam Griffin, COO and co-founder of the Natural Selection Tour.
Six invited men and four women including Beau Bishop, Dustin Craven, Craig McMorris, Spencer O’Brien, Leanne Pelosi, Chris Rasman, Mikey Rencz, Marie-France Roy, Mark Sollors and Robin Van Gyn worked in small teams throughout the week to find and ride an all-natural, backcountry freestyle line, while also capturing content for their video parts. The two components, the line and video part from some of North America’s most inspiring, untapped terrain, will be considered with 70/30 weight by the Natural Selection judges. Judges will use the same criteria as used in Jackson to score overall impression focused on the rider’s chosen line and risk, flow and amplitude, creativity and tricks, and finally, control.
“None of us had ever ridden at Baldface Valhalla, so we all had to figure out lines from scratch. They start on a gnarly steep ridge, followed by flowy trees and pillows. To navigate the number of trees, we had to tap into quick decision making to uncover nuggets of fun around corners,” said Leanne Pelosi, pro snowboarder. “It's been awhile since I have competed and although I tried to act like I was just filming, I can’t deny the jittery feelings of pressure standing on top of the course! The Natural Selection brings what we all crave - that feeling of flowing down the mountains, riding our best.”
The top scoring man and woman from the Bronco Natural Selection at Baldface to be revealed during the Red Bull TV broadcast will each take home a Model Year 2022 Polaris Snowmobile of their choice. They will also secure an invitation to go head-to-head against the top three men (McMorris, Ferguson and Bang) and the top woman (Sadowski-Synnott) coming out of the YETI Natural Selection at Jackson Hole, at the inaugural Natural Selection Tour super finals: The HempFusion Natural Selection at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. The men’s and women’s champion crowned in Alaska will each receive the all-new, adventure-ready, 2021 Bronco Sport.
"We were filming in such a very tight window," said Craig McMorris, pro snowboarder. "To produce something in such a small amount of time is a huge amount of pressure. You don't want to overthink it and get in your head -- it's kind of like wait, show up, see what you're working with. Then make a plan."
Like-minded partners have come together to help develop and support the Tour. Bronco entitled the Baldface event and leads the Tour’s sustainability strategy alongside Conservation International. Ford Bronco is entitling the Bronco Natural Selection at Baldface Lodge. HempFusion will entitle the HempFusion Natural Selection at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. Additional partners include Backcountry, Red Bull, GoPro, Fuel Off-Road, Polaris, Fat Tire, Visit Baldface, Toyo Tires, Thule, Carnal, along with host venues Baldface Mountain Resort, Baldface and Tordrillo Mountain Lodge.
Through the Industry Alliance marketing platform, endemic brands are able to directly support the events and their team riders competing on the Natural Selection Tour. Alliance members receive brand presence on streaming, broadcast and at the events, along with access to content and social assets from the Tour for marketing their team riders. The Natural Selection Tour thanks BOA, Burton, Mervin Manufacturing, Oakley, Quiksilver, Union Binding Company, VANS, Salomon, K2, The North Face, Jones Snowboards, Picture Organic Clothing, Smith Optics, Salomon and Spot Insurance for being the founding members of this industry-unifying effort.
Stay tuned to @NaturalSelection and @RedBullSnow on social media for additional action and behind the scenes looks from the Bronco Natural Selection at Baldface.