Featured Image: Jordy Grant-Krenz | Skier: Reid Litwiller

If year one didn’t prove it, year two certainly did; The Silver Belt is one of the best events in freeskiing. Last week we got definitive proof of exactly that, as the storm clouds cleared and the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains came out to play for the 2025 Silver Belt competition.

Sugar Bowl Resort saw multiple feet of snow blow in from the west in a classic Sierra storm on the Sunday and Monday leading up to the comp . Cold temps kept the snow relatively light, especially by California standards, which gave the riders plenty to work with when building features on the course.

After a stacked qualifier round ensued on Wednesday, more blue skies and sunshine awaited as the finalist roster was cemented. Thursday was no ordinary wake-up call, as select riders were given the chance in the early morning to ski Sugar Bowl’s legendary Palisades. These colossal spines sit in the upper-middle reaches of the resort, but rarely open. Thanks to the hard work of Sugar Bowl Ski Patrol, these finalists got to lay down a few relentless lines.

*Tristen Lily finishes out his run during the 2025 Silver Belt finals | **Photo**: Jake Burchmore*

With shovels in hand, the crew hit the legendary Silver Belt Gully ready to build. The experience of forging a course and having a say in the layout of each feature is part of what makes The Silver Belt such a unique and rare opportunity for competitors. By Friday, it was time to enter the proverbial octagon, and the vibe was electric. California sunshine poured over the resort and the 15 female and 25 male skiers selected for finals headed for the start gate.

Course Outline: Starting from the top, riders could hit a flat rail and head to the monster kicker, skier’s right, or proceed to a technical section and ridge line skier’s left. Two booters were positioned skier’s left as you progressed down the gully, followed by a cliff section, a side hit and a final cross-court kicker. The continued skier’s right line transitioned into an optional gap (which was absolutely puckering), a good right foot turn into a left-facing jump, and then back to the final cross-court kicker.

Watching 14-year-old groms go head-to-head with Freeride World Tour competitors isn’t something you see every day, but it’s a great example of how fast freeskiing is progressing. Yes, experienced skiers like Ben Richards, Ross Tester and Sophia Schwartz all put down incredible lines, but to see young guns like Hannah Epsteyn, Indy Boyer and Angus Blackburn go toe-to-toe with skiers they look up to is something special.

After each athlete had the chance to lay down two runs, the team headed back to the base where the film crew quickly worked to turn around footage from each run. The best of the two runs was shown in front of everyone, and after ample cheers, votes were cast by the finalists. In the Ski Women’s field, Tahoe locals Hannah Epsteyn and Indy Boyer claimed first and second place, respectively, with 2025 Queen of Corbet’s Ana Eyssimont taking home third place. For the Ski Men, first place went to the Norwegian stallion Robert Ruud, with Kelly Hilleke taking second and Dillon Flinders snagging third.

Check out the athlete-voted results and a full finals photo gallery below.

Don’t forget to tune in to the FREESKIER Sugar Bowl Silver People’s Choice vote over the coming days! Watch the replay video and cast your vote for the best male and female skier.