Several NYSEF freeride skiers took part in United States Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) Nationals in April. Athletes of all ages flew to Colorado to compete with the best in their age group. Athletes competed in slope style, ski cross and rail jam. Not sure what these competitions are? Learn about them! Slope style is a course full of obstacles like rails, jumps and other terrain park features. Rail jam is a course where you compete on rails and/or boxes. Ski cross is a timed event with terrain features including jumps and high-banked turns. Below is a brief explanation of the age groups taken from the USASA Rules and Regulations book:

  • Ruggie (7 under)
  • Grommet (8-9)
  • Menehune (10-11)
  • Breakers (12-13)
  • Youth (14-15)
  • Juniors (16-17)
  • Jams (18-22)
  • Open Class (At USASA National Championships members may have the opportunity to represent the United States and participate in international competition).

CONGRATS to all the athletes who competed in slope style, rail jam and/or ski cross!

Breaker Boys

Marc Bilow (Malone, NY) placed 17th in slope style and 13th in the rail jam

Shea Hogan (Middle Grove, NY) placed 39th in ski cross

Pierson Shute (Allendale, NJ) placed 21st in slope style and 19th in ski cross

Carter Thompson (Clifton Park, NY) placed 47th in ski cross

Cooper Rose (Clifton Park, NY) placed 28th in ski cross

Grommet Boys

Calvin Howard (Slingerlands, NY) placed 19th in ski cross

Grommet Girls

Ashley Sell (Saratoga Springs, NY) placed 9th in ski cross

Menehune Boys

Sal Cerio (Stillwater, NY) placed 45th in the ski cross

Colin Devoe (Loudonville, NY) placed 17th in the ski cross

Hunter Goodwin (Porter Corners, NY) placed 29th in the ski cross

Aiden Gorman (Malta, NY) placed 50th in ski cross

Colin Rabbitt (Ballston Lake, NY) placed 55th in the slope style and 26th in the ski cross

Sam Rausch (Townsend, MA) placed 35th in the ski cross

Sean Rosenzweig (Delanson, NY) placed 48th in the ski cross

Alex Saltsman (Altamont, NY) placed 48th in the slop style competition

Menehune Girls

Taylor Rose (Clifton Park, NY) placed 8th in the ski cross

Morgan Shute (Allendale, NJ) placed 17th in the ski cross

Open Men

Avery Higgins-Lopez (Lake Placid, NY) placed 34th in slope style and 11th in the rail jam

Ruggie Girls

Molly Rose (Clifton Park, NY) placed 6th in the ski cross

Youth Girls

Audrey Higgins-Lopez (Lake Placid, NY) placed 1st in ski cross

Kiely Rose (Clifton Park, NY) placed 9th in the ski cross

Youth Men

Matthew Byrne (Saratoga Springs, NY) placed 17th in slope style

Elias Ford (Lake Placid, NY) placed 29th in slope style and 18th in the rail jam

Zach Labarge (Ticonderoga, NY) placed 59th in slope style

Matthew Thompson (Saratoga Springs, NY) placed 64th in slope style

Bryant Ward (Queensbury, NY) placed 6th in slope style and 11th in the rail jam

FINALLY, THANK YOU to the coaches and parents who support these special events. 

*More photos will be posted shortly. For quick access of photos visit m.mobile.usasa.org