The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) Big Mountain Team traveled to Snowbird this past weekend for their first International Freeskiers Association (IFSA) Junior Regional *2 Qualifier. Big Mountain competitions bring together skiers and riders from around the world to battle challenging, technical, and complex runs.

The Snowbird competition welcomed athletes from across the Intermountain Division. SVSEF skiers and riders competed in both Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the competition. Cruz Bilbro won Volume 1 in the 12-14 Ski Male category. The rest of the team consistently placed in the top ten amongst a super competitive field.

“My favorite part was standing in the start gate with all my coaches and friends,” said Cruz Bilbro, SVSEF Big Mountain Team Athlete. “It was the most fun run I’ve done; big and fast. Being with my friends all on the podium was amazing and totally unexpected.”

The SVSEF Big Mountain Team competes in two to three Regional IFSA competitions and two to three National IFSA competitions throughout the season.

“We had 27 athletes at this comp, which was almost our entire team,” said Sarah Verst, SVSEF Big Mountain Coach. “I couldn’t be more proud of our athletes, especially the ones who competed for the first time ever. The energy and excitement of the weekend was unbeatable and we’re so stoked for the next comp.”

Next up for the Big Mountain Team, athletes will travel to British Columbia for the 2023 RED Mountain IFSA Junior 3* National competition held at RED Mountain Resort Feb. 3-5.

SVSEF Athlete Results Volume 1:

12-14 Ski Male
1 – Cruz Bilbro
4 – Kobi Bilbro
9 – Isaac Burks
13 – Breck Lyon

15-18 Ski Male
7 – Abel Marx
9 – Asher Maxwell
12 – Charlie Price
14 – Zephyr Carruth
17 – Ry Mann
18 – Alexander Leahy
22 – Hunter Kari
24 – Reyn Gary
27 – Mathias Radl-Jones
30 – Jackson Wallace
31 – Liam Jensen
32 – Landon Verst
34 – Calvin Miller
37 – Lachlan McFarland

12-14 Ski Female
8 – Tess Lightner

15-18 Ski Female
7 – Addison Featherman
9 – Addie Warden
11 – Ripley Scales
14 – Maya Lightner

15-18 Snowboard Male
1 – Alec Palicki

SVSEF Athlete Results Volume 2:

15-18 Ski Female
5 – Ripley Scales
8 – Ella Shaughnessy

15-18 Ski Male
6 – Asher Maxwell
8 – Hunter Kari
9 – Reyn Gary
10 – Charlie Price
11 – Landon Verst
12 – Lachlan McFarland
13 – Alexander Leahy
16 – Mathias Radl-Jones
18 – Liam Jensen
21 – Zephyr Carruth
29 – Leo Molter

15-18 Snowboard Male
1 – Brody McBee

12-14 Ski Male
8 – Isaac Burks
15 – Breck Lyon

For more info, please visit the IFSA website here https://www.freeskiers.org/