Recap: First-ever Kings and Queens of Corbet's blows minds at Jackson Hole

Between the first-ever Kings and Queens of Corbet’s contest living up to the hype and FREESKIER’s 20th Anniversary RV & Party Tour rolling through town, the past few days have been nothing short of legendary here at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Recap: Kings and Queens of Corbet’s

On Thursday, February 1, upwards of 30 world-class skiers and snowboarders gathered atop Jackson Hole, at 10,450 feet above sea level, and performed some of the most fantastic, awe-inspiring aerial maneuvers this editor has ever witnessed. Specifically, these guys and gals competed in the first-ever Kings and Queens of Corbet’s contest. The competition called for said skiers and snowboarders to showcase their big-mountain prowess in what is arguably North America’s most iconic couloir: Corbet’s. Athletes were granted two runs each in a winner-takes-all format; indeed, after it was all said and done there could be only one King and Queen of Corbet’s, and as a result, competitors held nothing back.

Kings and Queens of Corbet’s course preview.

Using the cornice atop the couloir effectively as a diving board, skiers launched gargantuan double backflips, massive “Superman” frontflips, misty 720s and the like. In addition to the mind-boggling stunting, we witnessed massive spills and yard sales and also hair-raising, full-throttle skiing. Since Corbet’s was first skied by local ski patroller Lonnie Ball in 1967, the couloir has seen its fair share of exciting happenings, yet many locals agree that what occurred on Thursday was without question the most stunning and rowdy of them all. The thousands of skiers who soaked in the competition from the Tensleep Bowl, below the couloir, will undoubtedly have scenes from the contest seared into memory for life.

Happening right now at Corbet’s Couloir… @tetonbrown lets one fly amid the first-ever Kings and Queens of Corbet’s contest ???? Check out the IG Story for more insane action from @JacksonHole. #FREESKIER #Skiing #ThisIsSkiing #JacksonHole

A post shared by FREESKIER Magazine (@freeskiermagazine) on Feb 1, 2018 at 12:04pm PST

History was made today ????. Skier: @dr.huckinstuff #jhkingsandqueens #jhdreaming #jacksonhole

A post shared by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (@jacksonhole) on Feb 1, 2018 at 3:13pm PST

Kings and Queens of Corbet’s exceeded all expectations! Thank you to all the athletes, sponsors, and crews for making this event happen. #jhdreaming #jacksonhole #jhkingsandqueens

A post shared by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (@jacksonhole) on Feb 1, 2018 at 4:38pm PST

One of the Queens ???? @munz_bunz sends Corbet’s like a ???? ship. Athlete judging is this Saturday and the King and Queen will be crowned @the.mangy.moose Saturday night with @freeskiermagazine. @gopro #jacksonhole #jhkingsandqueens

A post shared by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (@jacksonhole) on Feb 2, 2018 at 10:54am PST

Sometimes you get too excited and punch it too deep! Definitely hit my head ????????but had to keep ‘er moving! My first run was a very loose dub backslap to right 3 backslap. Toned ‘er down second run for a left 3 off the top to right 3 then a rock ride. Insane day yesterday for the @jacksonhole Kings and Queens of Corbets. The boys all threw down. @dahrkgram with the savage 7, @blzablaine with the butter 7 and @crazy_karl with the 7 stomp! #helmetsarecool Big thanks to @jmcmillan and her husband @ericseymour for such an awesome event!!! ???????????????????????????????? Shots by @tetongravity @adambagelboy (sick tunes Adam!) and myself @uaoutdoor @j_skis @scottfreeski #UAOutdoors #jfriendski #scottathlete

A post shared by Sander Hadley (@sanderhadley) on Feb 2, 2018 at 7:51am PST

The contest was peer-judged. Participating athletes reviewed video footage of the contest and determined winners according to the following criteria: speed, commitment and degree of difficulty; innovative and progressive maneuvers; control and stomped landings. A $20,000 purse was up for grabs.

So, who took the cake, you ask?

Karl Fostvedt and Caite Zeliff were crowned the King and Queen of Corbet’s on Saturday, February 3, at FREESKIER’s 20th Anniversary Party (the first of five parties to be held across the Rockies in the coming weeks), hosted at Jackson Hole’s famed Mangy Moose.