Catching Up With NST Ski 2026 Winners Manon Loschi and Colby Stevenson

As the end of the competition window for Natural Selection approached, the competitors arrived at Spine Cell: a foreboding Alaskan face known for its steeps and standout ski movie segments.



Those skiers, which included everyone from the all-time legend Tanner Hall to the up-and-comer Manon Loschi, had been carefully preparing and choosing their lines. Skiing in Alaska's backcountry is about as serious as it gets.



"Imagining having a competition on it was pretty crazy," said the men's winner, Colby Stevenson, of Spine Cell.



Those plans didn't last, though. When you're in Alaska, Mother Nature always offers input.



During an initial ski check, the guides for Natural Selection triggered an avalanche. No one was hurt, but because of the unstable snow, the organizers chose to change course and keep the skiers safe.



While Natural Selection's ski debut last winter included some of the toughest terrain on the planet, this year's showing was different, featuring a rolling, gentler venue.



For Loschi, who went on to win the women's field, the pivot provided relief from the stress associated with skiing Spine Cell.



"But at the same time," she added, "you're so bummed because that face looks insane."



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The Pivot

The latest chapter in a lineage of competitions first dreamt up by professional snowboarder Travis Rice, Natural Selection echoes other events both past and present, but occupies its own lane.



Unlike traditional freeride events, the skiers get multiple runs at Natural Selection. There is a judging panel, but the judges are more forgiving of crashes or control issues. The invitational element results in a roster with cross-discipline dream match-ups that may not otherwise be possible. A big mountain legend versus an Olympian? Sign us up.



The set-up translates to a live multi-hour marathon that, at times, looks more like a ski movie than a competition.



This year, Stevenson and Loschi commended Rice and the hardworking crew for making it all happen, despite the challenging conditions.



Then, it was time for them to do their part, working with the terrain provided in a more forgiving environment than Spine Cell. With windlips instead of towering cliffs, that would mean tricks, and a lot of them.



"I think we were all still super pumped to ride it, and we knew it was gonna be a fun day," said Loschi. "Kind of like a fun run we would do with our friends or filming."

Watch: Manon Loschi Winning Run, NST Ski Alaska 2026

Clinching top marks was no sure thing. He faced Markus Eder, Sam Kuch, and Finn Bilous in the finals-all well-rounded, heavy-hitting skiers who also dropped awe-inspiring performances.



"I'm through the roof, I'm super stoked," Stevenson said, adding that he loved the style of competition. "It's the unknown. It's untapped. It's so creative, so challenging as an athlete, emotionally, physically, and mentally, to compete in Alaska."

Related: The Bittersweet Experience of Skiing Powder on Closing Week

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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 5:32 AM.