Featured Image: Kyle Lieberman | Skier: Hans Weiner
Red Bull Cascade has become one of freeskiing’s most interesting events, and the third iteration of the competition only bolstered its outstanding reputation. Last week, Utah’s Solitude Mountain hosted the 2025 edition of Cascade, and despite a mix of weather and variable conditions, it was a complete success. With a mile of mixed features built into the undulating terrain, Cascade is unlike anything else in the industry.
The comp is set up in an elimination-style contest with four teams of five skiers, who all put down their best top-to-bottom run on a course designed to challenge every discipline. Riders had three days at the venue, but with the amount of possibilities on a course like this they probably could have spent a month there. On finals day, Team 1738 consisting of Cody LaPlante, Hans Wiener, Jed Waters, Josie Peterson and Ryan Buttars were named the champions of Red Bull Cascade 2025.
“Red Bull Cascade started as a sketch and idea on paper, and now we’re in year three. It’s amazing to see what we’ve built and how we get to progress the sport forward,” said Bobby Brown, the mastermind behind the whole thing. “During the first run, the course was really fast, so everyone had a chance to put down an amazing run.”
The entire course was designed in tandem with Brown and legendary park builder Charles Beckinsale. From March 27th to March 29th, skiers worked on a top-to-bottom run that included natural elements, such as tree sections alongside man-made jumps, massive hips and gap features.
Each run was judged on a points-based system titled CSCDE: Creativity, Speed, Choice of line, Difficulty, and Energy. A total of 50 points were possible per run.
First runs were smooth as the cooler weather allowed for fast riding. But weather rolled in after the first days which made visibility difficult, so the contest ended during the semi-finals. In the end, it was Team 1738, who’s cumulative score of all the riders, brought them to the top.
“I’m super stoked that our team took home the final prize. We all laced up and everyone landed their runs, which was essential,” said Josie Peterson, captain of the winning team. “Even though it was just semi scores, I’m still excited because our team skied awesome. It was so fun to experience the energy here.”
Events like Cascade are pushing freeskiing in a more creative direction. We love the intensity of World Cup freestyle skiing as much as anyone else, but competitions rooted in collaboration and innovation, such as Cascade, are just as necessary. Cheers to everyone who worked incredibly hard to bring this one to life, and a huge congrats to every competitor. We can’t wait for the next iteration.
Final Standings
1st Place: Team 1738 – 189.3 points
- Cody LaPlante
- Hans Wiener
- Jed Waters
- Josie Petersen
- Ryan Buttars
2nd Place: Team No Speed Checks – 177.6
- Aaron Blunck
- Drew Hooker
- Luke Price
- Ryan McElmon
- Robert Ruud
3rd Place: Team High Cascade – 172.9
- Birk Irving
- Dylan Siggers
- Maude Raymond
- Tanner Blakely
- Tristan Feinberg
Photo Gallery
Images: Courtesy of Red Bull
