Day two of freeski week competition at the 2019 USASA National Championships went down in a big way on Monday, with three of the four groups in action and the Open class riders taking to the pro line of Copper Mountain’s terrain park for slopestyle competition, where Riley Jacobs (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and Emerson Lawton (Traverse City, Mich.) claimed this season’s titles in a heavy-hitting event.

Jacobs came into the women's slopestyle competition fresh off a bronze medal from Sunday’s Open class halfpipe event, and the freeski triple threat (she also placed fifth in the Open class rail jam) put down another strong performance on a Copper slopestyle course that got somewhat tricky to ride as the day went on under the hot spring sun.

Representing the Rocky Mountain Series, 15-year-old Jacobs earned her winning run score of 82.33 with a switch 540, into a flatspin 360, and then a right-side 720 safety through the jump line, before she finished things off with railslide backside 270 off, railslide, and railslide frontside 270 off through the bottom rail section.

“It was really good today, really fun,” Jacobs said, smiling after receiving her gold medal at the awards ceremony, “The speed was a little slow in the end, but we waxed my skis every run and I was just tucking into every jump to get enough speed. It was a lot of fun today and really nice to be out the with all the other girls, and it’s cool to win.”

Behind Jacobs was Marea Adams (Truckee, Calif.) of the North Tahoe Series, earning a score of 72.66 and the silver medal for her efforts, while Sunday’s Open class halfpipe champion Hanna Faulhaber (Carbondale, Colo.) switched places with Jacobs for the slopestyle contest, finishing the day with the bronze.

It was the men who started off the competition day, hitting the slopes for practice early in the morning and wrapping things up just after noon, and in that time they would have seen nearly 20 degrees in temperature change - presenting a challenge for even the most powerful riders in the field. Lucky for Lawton, he was able to get his work done quickly, stomping a dizzying array of tricks in his first of two runs.

Starting things off with a switch double cork 900, Lawton then went into a right-side double 1080, and then a massive left-side double 1260 through the jump line, followed by a switch 270 on continued 270 off, right 270 on continued 270 off, and switch right 270 to pretzel 270 out on the rails, earning himself a score of 93.33 and the gold.

“It was a real early start and a little scary and hard out there first thing in the morning,” said 18-year-old Lawton, who is representing the Rocky Mountain Series. “And then for finals, the conditions were changing and there were speed differences and all that, but I put down a run and ended up on top. It’s nice that they’re bringing out a little more prize money now to maybe push everyone a little more, but my goal is always just to make finals and then see what happens from there. Today it went well.”

Behind Lawton in second was 15-year-old Charlie Gnoza (Park City, Utah) out of the Southern Vermont Series, whose score of 89.00 would give him the silver, while the New Hampshire Series’ Brian Gardner (Jay, N.Y.) would earn bronze with a score of 87.33.

There is no doubt that the USASA National Championships is the premier grassroots season culmination event. Stay tuned as competition continues throughout the week and future Olympians continue to progress and foster their competitive spirit through competition and community. 

RESULTS
Men's freeski open class slopestyle
Women's freeski open class slopestyle
 

The final day of snowboard week competition of the 2019 USASA National Championships went down on Thursday at Copper Mountain, Colorado, where once again all five daily venues were buzzing with action from first chair to last, and where the highlight Open class slopestyle competition saw Makayla Kellogg (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) and David Retzlaff (Holly, Mich.) use their final runs of the day to claim this season’s national titles.

The day started with a change in schedule for the women. In the riders meeting after practice, the competitors on hand elected to forego qualifications and head straight into a three-run final for all riders. 

Kellogg was one of the standout riders from the get-go. However, despite stomping both of her first two runs, she still found herself in second-place behind Colorado’s own Ellie Weiler (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) before the start of run three. 

As it turned out, Kellogg had another gear, stepping it up in a third run that included a cab 540, backside 360, and a well-held mute grab through the jump line, before going 50-50 frontside 360 out, 50-50 to boardslide, and 50-50 frontside 180 through the rails to earn a score of 88.25 and the gold medal.

“I started the day off pretty nervous," said Kellogg. Practice was pretty scary and I wasn’t landing stuff. We switched my run up and I started landing it every run, and then landed all three runs in finals, so I was super happy about that. I’m so excited to win…I don’t even know how to explain it. Everybody threw down today and it’s awesome to be first.”

16-year-old Weiler would finish the day with a score of 85.25 for the silver medal, while Lauren Dominio (Dillon, Colo.), a Rocky Mountain Series rider like Weiler, would round out the podium in third with a score of 82.00.

Over on the men’s side of things, top qualifier Retzlaff would need to come up with a little last-run heroics to take his National Championships title after failing to put down his first run and looking up an intimidating leaderboard that had three riders in the 90’s after their first runs. 

Dropping in last on the day, 19-year-old Retzlaff started things off on his 95.75-scoring gold medal run with a cab 900, into a frontside 1080, and finally a backside 1260 to finish off the jump section, before going cab 270 sameway 270 out, switch boardslide to regular, and frontside 270 boardslide to regular through the rails.

“I stomped my first qualifying run, and then I upped it in my second qualifying run and I think I increased my score by 10 to take top spot,” Retzlaff, another Rocky Mountain series product, said about his day, “So I was last one to drop in finals, but on my first run I just came up short on a jump. After first run there were some high scores on the board, but I didn’t really pay attention to them and I was able to put down my bigger tricks in my last run and get a 95-something."

“I was just trying to stay focused, wasn’t really thinking about what the other competitors were doing, just trying to make sure I knew what I could do and know that it was all up to me if I was going to land or not. It’s super cool. I ended up third last year, so to come back and win it this year is awesome. I’m excited about it.”

Second place behind Retzlaff was 18-year-old Alec Little (Park City, Utah) of the Big Mountain West Series, who took silver with a score of 93.00. Bronze, meanwhile, went to the Maine Mtn Series’ Bo Warren (Ipswich, Vt.), as the 22-year-old put down a first-run score of 91.50 to earn his place on the podium.

The final day of USASA Nationals snowboard program signifies the end of one the most critical events to the athlete development pipeline. In addition, USASA also just completed it's 30th year as an integral piece of the event and development pipeline. Thanks to USASA's focus on creating opportunities for the youth, the future of competitive snowboarding is a bright one! Learn more about the U.S. Ski & Snowboard and USASA partnership below. 

Snowboard Athlete Development Pipeline
U.S. Ski & Snowboard, USASA Offer Opportunity

RESULTS
Men's snowboard slopestyle open class
Women's snowboard slopestyle open class
 

Any fan of outstanding snowboarding was in for a treat at the 2019 USASA National Championships at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado on Wednesday afternoon, as a perfectly-cut halfpipe, ideal weather conditions, and an exceptional field of riders from around the country all combined to produce an excellent Open class halfpipe competition.

Every rider on hand stomped at least one of their two finals runs, and with every one of those stomped runs offering multiple brow raising moments, the judges had their work cut out for them on Wednesday. However, two riders in particular separated themselves from the pack, and at the end of the day it would be two U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team members Tessa Maud (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Jason Wolle (Winter Park, Colo.) leading the way from qualifiers through to final runs and taking the 2019 Nationals titles.

Already on her way to becoming a World Cup regular at just 15-years-old, Unbound Series representative Maud impressed from the outset, with big, smooth airs and long-held grabs throughout her spins and straight airs, dropping a first run that included a first-hit frontside 720, cab 720, tuck-knee, backside 540, and a big stalefish to finish things off.

“It was super fun out there today, and all the girls killed it,” said Maud following the awards ceremony, “I rode the Rev Tour and the World Cup this year, but USASA has a huge place in my heart because I’ve been doing it for eight years. I love it and it’s good to be back here with all my old friends and around the groms and everyone. It’s super fun.”

Second place and the silver medal for the ladies went to 14-year-old Alexandria Simsovits (Calabasas, Calif.), also of the Unbound Series, while Japan’s Ayako Kamata would earn bronze.

In the men’s contest, Wolle let it be known early that he wasn’t going to be easily stopped, dropping a massive double Michalchuk with his first hit of his first finals run that was the inarguable trick of the day, before going on to stomp a frontside 900, backside 540, frontside 720, and cab 720 to take a clear victory.

“Today was awesome,” the Rocky Mountain Series rider smiled with his gold medal in hand, “I podiumed last year - I got third place - but I really wanted to step it up this year and put down a really good run and today it all came together. I actually dislocated my elbow three weeks ago, so I’ve only had two days on snow since then, and to come back and put down probably one of my best runs of the season and walk away with the win is really something special. I’m super happy with it.”

Knowing he had the win in the bag before dropping in on his final run, Wolle took a moment to stop on the deck at the top of the pipe and wave to the crowd, before dropping in on a lofty straight-air victory lap that was as pretty to watch as anything seen in the pipe all day.

“My victory lap…I don’t want to sound to cocky, but I was really happy with my first run, so when the last score came in I knew I could do (the victory lap) and I kind of had to. My coaches and my friends and my family were all here, so I had to show off a little bit. Nationals is always such a good vibe, so it’s fun to show off a bit for the crowd.”

“Thirty years of Nationals is pretty impressive, and to have it here at my new home - I’m living in Frisco now and I’m training at Copper all the time - so it’s pretty cool. I’ve been coming to Nationals for five years now and to win at the 30th anniversary is pretty special.”

Behind Wolle in second place was Fynn Bullock-Womble (Mebane, N.C.), as the 14-year-old Rocky Mountain Series product continued a hugely impressive showing at the 2019 Nationals that saw him finish fourth in the Open class rail jam on Tuesday night. Third place and the bronze medal, meanwhile, went to 25-year-old Shane Serrano (Bridgewater, N.J.) of the Aspen Snowmass Series.

U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team athletes like Wolle and Maud started competing at USASA grassroots events and are great examples of the progression possible working within the USASA and U.S. Ski & Snowboard athlete development pipeline. To this point, snowboarding in the U.S. has found great success. As an illustration, the U.S. Snowboard Team has amassed 31 Olympic medals dating back to the 1998 Olympics. It is easy to see why in 2012 Bill Marolt awarded the USASA the Russell Wilder Award stating, "without USASA, the U.S would not be able to dominate in the sport of snowboarding as we do today".

RESULTS
Men's snowboard halfpipe open class
Women's snowboard halfpipe open class
 

One of the premier competitions of snowboard week at the 2019 USASA National Championships went down on Tuesday night in the Center Village at the base of Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado, as Zeb Powell (Waynesville, N.C.), and Alexis Roland (Shoreview, Minn.) took top honors at the open class rail jam in front of an enthusiastic crowd. 

More party atmosphere than a competition, the rail jam format sees heats of riders dropping more-or-less at will during a 25-minute session to hit one of the roughly 10 jib features spread out across a small hill, as judges score riders based on tricks, style, variation, ingenuity, and overall impression. It’s a free-flowing spectacle, fun for fans and riders alike, and on Tuesday some of the best in the business put on an exciting show.

Roland, of the Upper Midwest Snow Series, was one of the night’s most consistent riders, moving from feature to feature easily and stomping a myriad of tricks across them all including frontside boardslides and switch frontside boardslide through the massive kinked rail - to take the ladies’ contest.

Second and third places went to a pair of Colorado locals, as Lauren Derminio (Dillon, Colo.) took silver, and Ellie Weiler (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) rounded out the podium in third.

Over on the men’s side, the Southern Vermont Series’ own Powell was the standout rider of the evening, attacking the rail jam course, and at one point blowing the roof off of the place by launching a backside rodeo on the wallride and over the downrail to flat that was the fan-favorite trick of the evening. Throw in the fact that he spent his entire night of riding while clutching a teddy bear and you’ve got a winning score of 1375 and an iconic gold medal-winning performance.

“Honestly, I had a lot of butterflies going into it tonight,” said Powell after the awards ceremony, “I didn’t really expect to do that well. I don’t even think I did that well. But I just tried to go out and have some fun and it paid off. It’s pretty cool to finally place at my last nationals.” 

Second place for the men went to David Retzlaff (Holly, Mich.) of the Rocky Mountain Series, while another Southern Vermonter - TJ Fitzgerald (West Dover, Vt.) - earned bronze.

RESULTS
Men's snowboard open class rail jam
Women's snowboard open class rail jam
 

Racing for the Open Class riders wrapped up on Tuesday at the USASA National Snowboard Championships at Copper Mountain Resort with slalom competition taking to the perfectly prepared Copperopolis slope, where 2019 U.S. World Championships Team members Abby Champagne (Park City, Utah) won her first career National Championships title, and Robbert Burns (Mount Shasta, Calif.) made it two-for-two after taking the giant slalom win on Monday. 

“It was a really good day,” said Champagne after receiving her gold medal. “The course was really nice today, a little bit easier but still with a lot of terrain. I was pretty tired after competing in the giant slalom yesterday and racing today in the big final was tough. But it was just like, ‘Ok, two more runs…’ And Lexi (Alexa Bullis) gave me a serious run for first in the final; I think I just beat her by a very small fraction of a second. I’m very happy though. I’ve been to almost every Nationals since I was 16 and I’m 33 now, and this is my first win. It’s awesome.

“I think every athlete has their competition that they go to but they can never really get the result that they want and Nationals has been like that for me, so for me to finally push past that here feels great.”

The slalom silver medal went to 19-year-old Alexa Bullis (Slinger, Wis.) in an extremely tight battle with Champagne, while Dana Albers of the Netherlands rounded out the podium with her second-straight bronze medal performance.

Over on the men’s side, Burns proved once again his mastery of the Copper Mountain venue, as the 28-year-old who races out of Steamboat Springs, Colo., kept the momentum from his giant slalom victory on Monday rolling right into Tuesday’s race where he once again claimed top spot. 

“I was hanging around to celebrate with all these beautiful people, but I’ve gotta go back to work tonight. 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 tomorrow morning…not really looking forward to it,” smiled Burns, who works as a nighttime security guard to fund his riding, “But, to win double-gold here at Nationals this year, a lot of things had to go right. There was a little bit of a smaller group this year, a few less athletes, but that almost makes it so people think maybe I should win. But in our sport, anybody can win it on any given day. So when I get in the start gate against Everett (McEwan) or one of these young kids who are gunning hard, I look at it like, I’ve got my head out there and they’re just ready to take it off. It’s a different sort of intimidating.

“To win both titles this year, it’s really special,” he continued. “I’ve had a lot of people reach out, and that’s a testament to the overwhelming support from this community. My heart’s full and I can’t wait to be back at the USASA’s and do it again next year."

Incredibly, Burns’ double gold performance at this year’s National Championships almost didn’t happen, after a crash last week resulted his goggles smashing into his face and opening up a deep cut near his eye. 

“I actually called Zippy (Neil) last week and told her I wasn’t going to be racing this week,” Burns explained, “But a bunch of people were like, ‘Hey, the snow’s really good at Copper right now. Just go out there and feel the snow,’ so I said ‘Ok’ and on Sunday I took some runs with my team and thought, ‘Ok, my head feels good, my eye doesn’t hurt, let’s do this.’ It’s weird how it all works. I wasn’t even planning on racing, but I turned it around and I did race and it’s just been a wonderful experience here, like always.”

Runner up to Burns on Tuesday was Canada’s Jacob Farber, who did one better than his bronze medal performance in the giant slalom on Monday to score Tuesday’s silver, while 46-year-old Everett McEwan (Morrison, Colo.) earned his first Nationals podium with a bronze medal finish. 13-year-old Veda Hallen (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.) of the South Tahoe series pulled off one of the most impressive feats see so far at the 2019 USASA National Championships on Tuesday, winning the Breaker girls silver medal in slopestyle competition to add to her halfpipe bronze and rail jam gold from Monday, completing the full set of Nationals hardware in just two days of competition.

RESULTS
Men's snowboard parallel slalom open class
Women's snowboard parallel slalom open class

Day two of competition at the 2019 USASA National Snowboard Championships at Copper Mountain Resort dawned sunny and cold, and despite the occasional wind gust, it was perfect for another full day of competition.

Monday’s competition line-up was highlighted by giant slalom racing in the Open Class group, where two long-time USASA competitors earned their first Nationals titles, as U.S. Snowboard Team Alumnus Lynn Ott (Bend. Ore.) and Robbert Burns (Mount Shasta, Calif.) were both able to achieve a goal they had been chasing through more than a dozen Nationals showings by taking the 2019 PGS gold medals. Ott and Burns both represented the 2019 U.S. FIS World Championships Team back in February where Burns made finals, but could not find the podium.

At 51-years-old, Ott is a force both on and off the slope, proving that age ain’t nothing but a number with her performance on Monday, while also working tirelessly behind the scenes supporting the future of alpine snowboarding. 

“The Nationals have always been amazing, but it’s always been my little nemesis,” a clearly hyped Ott said just after awards, “No matter what I would do, I would either make a mistake or do something crazy and blow it for myself. But this year I was able to keep it together the entire time and I pulled it off and won the race. Winning today, it was just like…thank god, finally! Perseverance definitely pays off!”

“I’m amazed at how many kids are out here on race boards, I wish I could talk to every single one of them,” Ott went on when asked to describe what she’s hoping to accomplish with her work off the slope, “It’s just proof for anyone who’s like, ‘Oh, alpine snowboarding is dying,’ well, look at all these kids. There’s way too many kids riding alpine boards and loving every minute of it for alpine to be dying.”

Second place and the silver in the ladies’ Open group went to the USA’s current top World Cup rider Abby Champagne (Park City, Utah), while the Netherlands’ Dana Albers made her trip across the pond worthwhile with a third-place finish.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side of things, a rider with even more National Championships starts than Ott finally scored his first win, as Burns earned top honors and the gold medal with a determined performance on the day.

“It’s a little bit like a dream,” Burns smiled, “I’ve been coming to USASA Nationals for 14 years now and this is the first time I’ve made it on to the top step and took first place, so it’s amazing. I had some of my best friends at the top of the course supporting me, and my family still here supporting me 14 years on…it’s awesome. 

“There’s definitely an element of self-efficacy in my win today. That’s something that we try and instill in every kid that comes through USASA, is that belief in yourself that you can accomplish whatever you set out to. No matter where you’re at in your progression you always have the opportunity to win, and that’s maybe the funnest part about it.”

When asked to reflect upon what the USASA has meant to him throughout his snowboard career, 28-year-old Burns was unequivocal in his response.

“USASA has truly been a blessing in my life. It’s been so much fun to be a part of it ever since I was a kid. The reason this community is so great is because it’s built upon families from all across the United States. Those families make up the volunteers, they make up the coaches, they make up the directors, and when we come out to nationals we get to see that family in action. It’s built on family and the most important thing is fun, and that’s the future of our sport. Together we’re a force, and it’s just been growing. I think Chuck would be proud.”

Taking the men’s PGS silver medal was 21-year-old Dylan Udolf (West Hartford, Conn.), while third place went to Canada’s Jacob Farber. 

RESULTS
 

U.S. Snowboard Pro Team member Julia Marino (Westport, Conn.) finished off her competition season with her second consecutive victory, and first slopestyle win, in the El Tarter Snowpark at the 15th edition Total Fight Masters in Grandvalira, Andorra, Saturday.

“Total Fight was an awesome event,” said Marino. “The conditions were great with warm and sunny weather every day and everyone looked like they were having a great time. It was the perfect end to my competition season and I’m stoked I got the win.”

Marino has had a successful season collecting podiums at four different events, including second-place in slopestyle at Dew Tour in Breckenridge, Colo., second-place in slopestyle at the Burton U.S. Open at Vail, Colo., and just before the win in Andorra, first place at the Quebec City, Canada, World Cup. Overall, Julia’s first slopestyle win at the event in Andorra capped off what was a successful season of competition.

Yuka Fujimori of Japan finished second, and Brooke Voigt of Canada closed out the podium in third place.

For the men, U.S. Snowboard Team members, Lyon Farrell (Haiku, Hawaii), Luke Winkelmann (Blowing Rock, N.C.) and Judd Henkes (La Jolla, Calif.) finished in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Switzerland’s Michael Schaerer won the event, Canada’s superstar Mark McMorris finished second, and Bendik Gjerdalen of Norway finished in third.

Competition will continue at Total Fight as El Tarter Snowpark transforms into the epicenter of the world’s best freeskiers April 4-6 as athletes take to the course in Grandvalira. Returning champion and U.S. Freeski Pro Team member McRae Williams (Park City, Utah) will be looking to defend his title against an elite crew of the world’s best freeskiers. Tune in live Saturday on Facebook Grandvalira to catch all the action.

RESULTS
Men’s snowboard slopestyle
1. Michael Schaerer (Switzerland)
2. Mark McMorris (Canada)
3. Bendik Gjerdalen (Norway)

Women’s snowboard slopestyle
1. Julia Marino (USA)
2. Yuka Fujimori (Japan)
3. Brooke Voigt (Canada)

VIDEO
Julia Marino’s winning run
Snowboard highlights
Full snowboard finals replay

HOW TO WATCH
Live stream available on Facebook

FREESKI
Saturday, April 6.
6:00 a.m. - Men’s and women’s slopestyle - Total Fight Masters - Grandvalira, Andorra - Facebook

SNOWBOARD
Men's and women's slopestyle - full replay
 

The first day of competition at the 30th anniversary of the USASA National Snowboard Championships went down on Sunday at Copper Mountain Resort, where a typically jam-packed day of riding saw action across all six Nationals venues.

The top-tier Open riders highlighted the day over on the boardercross course, where a strong field duked it out on the tricky Copper track and Anna Miller (Orem, Utah) and U.S. Snowboardcross Development Team member Cole Johnson (Reno, Nev.) took top honors in the respective women’s and men’s fields. 

Last season’s third-overall rider on the Nor-Am circuit, 22-year-old Miller came into competition in Copper fresh off her first full season on the World Cup tour, and on Sunday her rise to the upper echelon of the SBX world was on full display as she put on a dominant performance. 

By the middle of the course in Sunday’s big finals, Miller had opened up a lead of nearly a second over her competitors, and was able to cruise home through the course’s bottom section to claim victory in her first time competing at the Open level in her National Championships career.

“It was awesome out there today,” said Rocky Mountain Series rider Miller at the awards ceremony, “I thought the conditions were really nice and the course was running a little bit smoother than it has been. Getting a good start was important, but if not there was a little room to make some passes down at the bottom. 

“I’ve been doing USASA Nationals since I was 12 years old. I think this is probably my eighth time coming here. Being here and being in this environment I get all this nostalgia, seeing all the young kids like I once was, coming up. It’s really awesome to win here today.”

Second place for the women went to Yoshi Kohlwes (Mill Valley, Calif.), while Katie Wilson (Mchenry, Ill.) rounded out the podium in third, with Felicia Turcotte (Park City, Utah) was the odd-rider-out in fourth place. Meanwhile, seventh place on the day went to a well-known but unexpected name, as halfpipe rider par excellence Arielle Gold (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) dropped in on her first ever SBX event and showed that she just might have a future in head-to-head racing if she ever gets tired of the pipe life.

Over on the men’s side it was South Tahoe Series representative Johnson taking the win in what was hotly-contested race that featured a handful of World Cup regulars and a long list of top Nor-Am riders.

The Nor-Am overall SBX winner back in the 2015/16 season and a nine-time Nor-Am race winner, Johnson was able to put down the top time in the seeding run before hitting the finals, where he used strong starts and aggressive lines on the snaking Copper track to lead every heat on his way to the big final.

In the big final he faced his toughest challenge of the day from Paul Kamisky (Davis, Calif.), as the two were neck-and-neck though much of the final run, but eventually Johnson was able to pull away and take the win.

“Awesome riders out here today and I think we had a great day,” smiled Johnson, “I was able to put down a fast time in seeding and then fortunately I was able to get out front in all my heats. Things definitely got a little tighter in the semifinal and finals, but fortunately I was able to keep it on my feet and get across the line out front in the finals.

“I’ve been competing at USASA Nationals since I was 12, so it’s always special to come back here and see all the kids out here having fun. Hopefully I can help keep them stoked.”

Kaminsky held on for second place on the day, while Matthew Mostoller (Johnstown, Penn.) claimed third, and U.S. Snowboardcross Pro Team memberJonathan Cheever (Saugus, Mass.), a regular on the World Cup team, would have to settle for fourth place after crashing in his big final run. 

RESULTS
 

The 2019 USASA National Snowboard Championships are set to take to the slopes of Colorado’s Copper Mountain Resort this weekend to begin five jam-packed days of competition, as well over 1000 of the nation’s best amateur riders have gathered to square off in halfpipe, slopestyle, slalom, giant slalom, snowboard cross, and rail jam competitions.

While the USASA National Championships already holds the distinction as the largest such snow-sports event in the world, the 2019 iteration of the event is made extra special by the fact that this season we celebrate 30 years as an organization. And, with the USASA’s dedication to growing snowboarding at a grassroots level by facilitating competitions, fostering a community amongst our members, and helping to build the next generation of leaders and champions, the next 30 years are looking bright. 

In fact, when you look back through the USASA alumni ranks, you’ll find that since the 2006 season every single rider who has gone on to represent the USA in Olympic competition cut their teeth at some point on the USASA level, which goes to highlight just how successful the USASA has been over the past 30 years in helping to teach and aid the next generation of riders.

When you break down this year’s Championships by the numbers, the size and scope of what the event has become over the past 30 years is truly incredible.

Of the USASA’s 5000+ members spread across our 32 regional series, close to 1400 of the top riders from across the country have qualified to compete in Copper. Those riders are divided into age groups from the 7-and-under Ruggies all the way up to Methuselah 60+ category, as well as the top-tier “Open” class, the adaptive and specially abled categories, and all the other age brackets in between, with all groups featuring competitions for both women and men.

There is truly a staggering amount of snowboarding to be done in Copper this week, and excitement on and around the hill is only growing stronger. The six main venues here on site at Copper will play host to over 150 competitions over the coming days, as the 30 different age and ability groups square off for the 450 medals up for grabs. And, in the evenings, a further 24 medals are set to be decided over the course of four evenings’ rail jam events.

This will be the 12th-straight season that Copper has hosted the USASA National Championships, and with an agreement in place to continue hosting the event through to at least 2022, the Championships are in excellent hands in a good home for the foreseeable future.