Natural Selection Announces Wild New ‘Super Sessions’ Qualifier
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The world’s most progressive backcountry freestyle event, the Natural Selection Tour (NST), is changing things up for the 2026 season. They’ve announced a major shift in the opening stage of the competition, moving away from the head-to-head Duels format and introducing the more dynamic and collaborative Super Sessions.
This is an evolution of the Tour’s core concept. As NST Chief Operating Officer Liam Griffin said, the new session-based format is designed to fuel collaboration and push boundaries while still retaining that essential competitive spark.
A Session is Better with More People
The philosophy behind the new format is simple and deeply rooted in snowboard culture: a session is always better with more riders feeding off each other's energy. The goal is to create a more natural and dynamic way to showcase the immense talent and creativity that defines backcountry freestyle.
Instead of isolated one-on-one battles, Super Sessions will see groups of elite riders gather in some of the most iconic freeride destinations on the planet. From these initial gatherings, a select group will earn their spot in the highly anticipated finals. Specifically, one woman and four men will advance from the Super Sessions to the main event.
Three Global Locations, Limitless Terrain
The 2026 Natural Selection Snow Super Sessions will light up three unique and world-class venues. From there, each spot was handpicked for its distinctive terrain and legendary snow conditions, promising three distinct chapters of progression for viewers at home.
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- Myōkō, Japan: The men will split into two groups. One group will ride Myōkō’s famously deep, bottomless snow. The zone offers playful terrain and perfectly spaced trees, creating a dreamscape for precision and style.
- Powder Mountain, Utah : The second men's group will tackle the renowned dry powder of Powder Mountain. This location offers a compelling blend of big-mountain challenge and creative opportunity with its wide-open bowls and steep chutes.
- evo's Journeyman Lodge at the Callaghan, BC : The women will compete at this stunning location near Whistler. Journeyman Lodge has deep, consistent snow and dynamic Coast Range terrain. Its pillow-lined glades create ideal conditions for flowy, human-powered riding.
The Road to Revelstoke
Finally, the Super Sessions debut on Red Bull TV in late February 2026. Qualifiers then join the pre-qualified field in Revelstoke for the YETI Natural Selection Snow, scheduled for March 10–16, 2026.
This innovative format is set to deliver even more of the raw, progressive action that the snowboard community crave.It reflects the Tour’s mission to connect people with Mother Nature by showcasing the world’s most inspiring riders pushing the limits of natural terrain.
Get ready for a season of next-level riding!
