Decades ago, a new kind of skiing was born on the steep chutes and technical lines of Palisades Tahoe. Athletes looked at the mountain differently, found creative lines where others saw obstacles, and built a movement that would become something we now call freeride. Palisades Tahoe is the birthplace of freeride, and this winter it’s coming full circle.
The Natural Selection Tour has officially announced that Palisades Tahoe will host the first-ever Ski Super Session, bringing eight of the world’s top freeride and freestyle skiers to the mountain that started it all. One man and one woman from this session will advance to the YETI Natural Selection Ski finals in Alaska, where the season’s Tour champions will be crowned.
History was made here. History is being made again.
What is the Natural Selection Tour?
For those unfamiliar, the Natural Selection Tour is the brainchild of legendary snowboarder Travis Rice. It’s a world-class action sports competition series that showcases the planet’s most progressive riders, from Olympians to big-mountain film icons all competing on natural terrain.
Unlike traditional competitions held on groomed courses with manufactured features, Natural Selection embraces Mother Nature as the main character. Events are scheduled around optimal natural conditions, letting athletes experience raw landscapes featuring cliffs, spines, drops, and technical features shaped by the elements.
The Tour spans four sports: Surf, Bike, Snow, and Ski. Athletes are judged using the CREDO system: Creativity, Risk, Execution, Difficulty, and Overall Flow. This scoring approach encourages riders to push boundaries, take calculated risks, and express their individual style rather than simply executing predetermined tricks.
The Natural Selection Tour’s mission goes beyond competition. It’s about inspiring a deeper connection with the natural world and showcasing the raw beauty of the landscapes where these athletes perform.
Why Palisades Tahoe?
The steep chutes, massive cliffs, and technical lines of this mountain helped define what freeride could be. Names like Shane McConkey, Scot Schmidt, Jonny Moseley, Jeremy Jones, and JT Holmes didn’t just ski and ride here; they helped develop an entirely new discipline of the sport.
With freeride skiing and snowboarding potentially becoming a new sport in the 2030 Winter Olympics, the timing couldn’t be more fitting. The birthplace of the sport is positioning itself at the center of its future.
“We’re thrilled to host the first-ever Natural Selection Ski Super Session here at Palisades Tahoe. Our mountain has a long history of fostering progression and some of the most dynamic natural terrain. That combo aligns perfectly with the ethos behind Natural Selection. We can’t wait to see how these eight athletes interpret the landscape and write a new chapter in freeride skiing history.”
–Amy Ohran, President and COO of Palisades Tahoe
The Super Session Format
Four men and four women hand-selected by the Natural Selection Ski selection committee will compete for a high-energy session on the resort’s famously technical and feature-rich terrain. Athletes will have the freedom to approach the face in a format designed to bring out creativity and style, feeding off each other’s energy as they push the boundaries of what’s possible.
From this Super Session:
- One man and one woman will qualify for the YETI Natural Selection Ski finals in Alaska
- Additional finalists will include prequalified riders and wildcards, with full details announced throughout the winter
“The launch of Natural Selection Ski Super Sessions allows the Tour to open a wider funnel of opportunities to riders on the front lines of freeskiing progression. I’m stoked to see what these skiers can do as they feed off each other’s energy at one of the most hallowed grounds for our sport. Palisades Tahoe was made for an event like this.”
–Mike Douglas, Head of Natural Selection Ski
Michelle Parker: The Home Mountain Hero
The connection between Natural Selection and Palisades Tahoe runs even deeper through one athlete: Michelle Parker.
Michelle is not only a Natural Selection Tour ski athlete but also a proud member of the Palisades Tahoe Professional Athlete Team. A big-mountain legend in her own right, Michelle has been competing with Natural Selection and representing the spirit of progression that both the Tour and this mountain embody.
The Sierra’s Most Iconic Stage
The 8 peaks of our lovely resort boasts some of the most iconic big-mountain terrain in North America. A world-class mix of steeps, cliffs, spines, and technical freeride features shaped by deep Sierra snow and generations of ski and snowboard legends.
Many argue this terrain is among the best in the world for freeride skiing. And with the Super Session format giving athletes freedom to interpret the landscape, the question becomes: where will it go down?
How to Watch
The Natural Selection Ski Super Session at Palisades Tahoe will stream exclusively on Red Bull TV. Super Session winners will be revealed in the episodes as they premiere leading into Alaska’s final event in April 2026.
When and Where to Watch:
- Natural Selection Ski Super Session at Palisades Tahoe: Date TBD, exclusively on Red Bull TV
- YETI Natural Selection Ski Finals in Alaska: April 2026, exclusively on Red Bull TV
Enter to Win
Want to experience Palisades Tahoe for yourself? Natural Selection is giving away lodging at Palisades Tahoe and two Ikon Passes. Enter the Progressive Giveaway for your chance to win.
A New Chapter in Freeride History
Freeride was forged on mountains like Palisades Tahoe by athletes willing to look at terrain differently, to push beyond what was considered possible, and to inspire others to do the same.
This winter, eight of the world’s best will write the next chapter of that story on the same peaks that started it all. The Natural Selection Tour and Palisades Tahoe share more than just a venue. They share a philosophy: that the mountains are our playground, progression is our purpose, and the love for what we do is what drives us forward.
Follow @palisadestahoe & @naturalselectionski for the latest.
