Natural Selection Ski Announces Alaska Wildcards, Led by Tanner Hall

Natural Selection Ski has revealed the five wildcards completing the lineup for one of winter's most anticipated competitions. The destination: Valdez, Alaska. The level: supreme.

The event, spearheaded by Travis Rice and his team, thus solidifies an explosive blend of pure freeride, aerial technique, and large-format terrain interpretation. The grand final will premiere on April 14th on Red Bull TV.

The five names joining the final roster are not minor bets. They are profiles with competitive weight, audiovisual careers, and a real capacity to make a difference in a setting like Alaska.

Natural Selection Ski 2026 Wildcards

Tanner Hall
He needs no introduction. An absolute icon of modern freeski and founder of Armada Skis, Hall continues to compete and film at the highest level when many of his generation have already shifted focus. His experience on big lines and competitive instinct align perfectly with the event's DNA.

Astrid Cheylus
Since her circuit debut in 2024, she has established herself as one of the most solid names on the Freeride World Tour. She combines fluid lines on exposed terrain with the ability to land tricks in serious conditions. She represents the new generation of women's freeride: technical, ambitious, and utterly fearless.

Tatum Monod
Known for both her media presence and her mountain prowess, Monod brings experience on big faces and refined terrain interpretation. She is not just a voice in freeride; she is a skier with competitive and cinematic pedigree.

Karl Fostvedt
For years, he was one of the names many expected to see in this format. His profile fits naturally: solid on technical lines, comfortable in the air, and experienced in both competition and filming. He is the kind of well-rounded rider this event champions.

Finn Bilous
Versatile and competitive. He represented his country in slopestyle at the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Games, and in 2024, he achieved a third-place finish at Bec des Rosses within the Freeride World Tour. This range—from park to extreme freeride—makes him an unpredictable competitor.

Who they will compete against in Alaska

The final roster already featured high-caliber names. In the women's category, Manon Loschi. In the men's, Markus Eder, Sam Kuch, Colby Stevenson, and Craig Murray had already secured their spots.

Additionally, the event will host a Super Session at Palisades Tahoe this winter. It will be broadcast on March 17th on Red Bull TV and will award an additional men's and women's spot for Alaska. Second-place finishers will remain as alternates.

Among the guests for that Super Session are Elisabeth Gerritzen, Indy Boyer, Ana Eyssimont, Hannah Epsteyn, Teal Harle, Connery Lundin, Jonah Williams, and Parkin Costain.

Alaska as the ultimate stage

Valdez: long lines, serious slopes, and minimal margin for error. Natural Selection rewards fluidity, line choice, creativity, and the ability to read the mountain in real-time.

The combination of established legends and the new generation makes this edition one of the most open to date. In this format, reputation matters, but execution is everything.

And in Alaska, there's no room for half measures.