[Neil29]

Did anyone watch it today? truly amazing event with insane terrain and incredible riding. Though I still think Dustin Craven was robbed, we wouldn't have received the master class two runs from T.Rice in the finals. I think he knew he was beat in the semi's and felt like he had to prove he deserved the finals...and he did. I'm bummed the feed cut-out for Zoi's final run, and later find out she won without seeing how she was able to top Elena's amazing drop on her second run. Think they are both great in their own way but would really like to see how Zoi won (hopefully they will recover it for the replay).

 

[BrighamR]

I watched and enjoyed. There were some insane lines that were very impressive and entertaining. Felt like Dustin and Travis was the actual final. I have mad respect for the whole concept, riders and the event but they always seem to leave me a bit wanting. Not sure why. I also felt like the only time the commentary was tolerable was when McMorris was in there. He's so rad. Loved listening to his thoughts.

 

[Neil29]

I had the volume on too low to really pay attention and that’s when I truly focused on work. But totally agree, was not impressed with commentary. What I did hear from mark, he stayed as neutral as possible to not offend any friends (which is cool). He has a long way to go to be as good as his brother behind the mic…but hopefully he has many more years competing and filming first.

 

[phosfiend]

Caught some of it. Truly inspiring stuff.

While I’m not sure the format is perfect, it’s awesome to see folks compete in the type of riding that excites me. Huge respect for the park/pipe/urban/backcountry kicker folks, but seeing riders at this level navigate this sort terrain is really what blows my mind. Definitely the type of rider I always wanted to become (that ship has sailed though, but fun to dream).

 

[Cambered234]

Watched it live… unbelievably awesome! I love the platform and I hope this catches on and becomes the future. I think turning this kind of riding into a competition format will get people to tune in and will hopefully grow snowboarding. I think the terrain choice for this was just incredible. I don’t really care about commentary, I tune in to see the riding and creativity.

 

[kalev]

Loved it. I was blown away with the production quality. It's a pretty remote location, and how they were able to broadcast live, with only minor glitches is mind-blowing. Would love to see a behind the scenes of how they pulled it off. Was a little worried too because the snowpack in interior BC is pretty sketchy this year - I didn't see any issues though.

Oh the riding was pretty rad too

Probably my favorite live sports event to watch

 

[Etienne]

There were some pretty nice lines indeed. But I can't just watch this stuff live, I just skip through the interesting parts in 10mn…

Not sure I'm sold on the concept. I just enjoy a video edit more—and I like parts contests too. Just not sure backcountry fits contest—wether NS or FWT. Pipe, park, I can dig it. But you lose of too much of what backcountry actually. It feels like too controled for my taste, not really remote, wild.

 

[jsil]

There were some pretty nice lines indeed. But I can't just watch this stuff live, I just skip through the interesting parts in 10mn…

Not sure I'm sold on the concept. I just enjoy a video edit more—and I like parts contests too. Just not sure backcountry fits contest—wether NS or FWT. Pipe, park, I can dig it. But you lose of too much of what backcountry actually. It feels like too controled for my taste, not really remote, wild.

I'd much rather watch the best in the world dropping crazy lines for their first time over someone spinning seven rotations off the same jump everyone else did....

Different strokes I guess

 

[Cambered234]

I'd much rather watch the best in the world dropping crazy lines for their first time over someone spinning seven rotations off the same jump everyone else did....

Different strokes I guess

I’m right there with you! Park competitions are not interesting to me. Seeing the best take insane lines, like they did in this segment, is really cool.

 

[Haven]

Those drone shots showing how steep those pillow drops were are mental. My cheeks were puckering seeing them commit to those lines 1st time. I’m glad that their commentators are actual snowboard legends and even though they might not have to skill set like the English guy in the snazzy pink socks you’re getting insights from legends themselves. So glad they’re not doing any kooky X games crap.

 

[GregT943]

Absolutely loved it, the terrain was amazing. I agree, Craven was robbed, but then we would not have gotten to see Travis's final runs which were unbelievable and just on a different level. I also thought Elena won. I love Zoi, she is incredible, but she essentially did the exact same line everytime. The judges say they are looking for originality and mixing up the lines, but then they reward freestyle oriented riders who do the same line over and over again. I would have liked to see some additional riders in the competition. I really would have liked to see Marion Hearty and Robin Van Gyn. Two amazing freeride riders who would have been really fun to watch in that terrain.

I definitely prefer this competition format over traditional freestyle formats and events. I have never been a park rider. I still watch and enjoy those freestyle events, I just connect with freeride oriented events more, that is more in line with what snowboarding is to me.

 

[Board Doctor]

Some epic terrain & riding. I agree that Dustin was robbed in the semi, but Travis REALLY stepped it up in the final. Crazy stuff.

 

[Doraibu]

2023 Natural Selection Tour: Revelstoke | X Games

Watch some of our favorite X Games athletes battle it out at the latest stop of The Natural Selection Tour in the back country at Revelstoke!Revelstoke, tuck...

www.youtube.com

 

[Neil29]

Absolutely loved it, the terrain was amazing. I agree, Craven was robbed, but then we would not have gotten to see Travis's final runs which were unbelievable and just on a different level. I also thought Elena won. I love Zoi, she is incredible, but she essentially did the exact same line everytime. The judges say they are looking for originality and mixing up the lines, but then they reward freestyle oriented riders who do the same line over and over again. I would have liked to see some additional riders in the competition. I really would have liked to see Marion Hearty and Robin Van Gyn. Two amazing freeride riders who would have been really fun to watch in that terrain.

I didn't get to see Zoi's fina run after she didn't land the 720 - the feed cut out and they just jumped to announcing Zoi the winner in the live feed. I would have liked to see if she matched Elena's drops and line (but Zoi's line didn't have as crazy of terrain). From what I saw, Elena won as well. They are both two of my favorites so not complaining. Agree that it would have been great to see Marion Hearty and Robin Van Gyn (think Marion is just coming off injury). All in all I'm hooked and can''t wait for the next one - can't imagine the terrain will be any better than this.

 

[lab49232]

Not sure I'm sold on the concept. I just enjoy a video edit more—and I like parts contests too. Just not sure backcountry fits contest—wether NS or FWT. Pipe, park, I can dig it. But you lose of too much of what backcountry actually. It feels like too controled for my taste, not really remote, wild.

I mean you can't compare a contest to an edit, but in reality the Competition is far more impressive than video edits to me. Video edits take ages, Studying, re-riding lines, shooting the shot over and over. That's what makes the competition crazy, it's zero practice runs, zero edits, and yet theyre dropping video edit quality runs still, insanity. If you didn't watch Alaska last year, it was literally a backcountry movie.

I will agree watching later and fast forwarding through the fluff is better. It doesn't fit the new ADD level demand we have. A 5 hour contest is way too long. But I'm ok watching it a day later.

It was crazy the production level was so high everywhere except commentary. Like that's where you decide to cheap out?It's not been that bad in years past.

Pipe riding is all but dead, Slopestyle has a place, but this is easily the peak level competition and a true level of skill in the sport. Of course it doesn't hurt that I will never want or be able to throw a double cork, but I absloutely live to ride steep lines and cliff bands.

 

[Matted0364]

I don't often watch this sort of stuff live, but being a BC boy, I was excited to watch Revelstoke on TV (well, youtube, but still..). All the same feelings, didn't think Travis was gonna make the finals but holy balls am I glad he did. The finals runs were unbelievable. Watching him at the top studying the line on his phone and somehow finding his way there - I take wrong turns at the resort and they have big freaking signs..

That cliff drop, the wallride into it, without a whiff of hesitation, was mind blowing. Felt like I was watching something that will be remembered for a while.

 

[robotfood99]

5+ hours down to a little over 4 minutes. The editor wins bts award.

 

[gordon]

I know it’s been said in other discussions here before, but pretty amazing that these riders are mostly using some type of directional twin board in these conditions. Obviously they are pros, but it kind of blows out the discussions over all the different boards we like to engage in here. Great competition and beautiful environment to watch some of the very best do their thing.

Did anyone watch it today? truly amazing event with insane terrain and incredible riding. Though I still think Dustin Craven was robbed, we wouldn't have received the master class two runs from T.Rice in the finals. I think he knew he was beat in the semi's and felt like he had to prove he deserved the finals...and he did. I'm bummed the feed cut-out for Zoi's final run, and later find out she won without seeing how she was able to top Elena's amazing drop on her second run. Think they are both great in their own way but would really like to see how Zoi won (hopefully they will recover it for the replay).

 

[Etienne]

I mean, you need tail to pop off, launch spins and land. Then it's just a matter of getting a bit of speed—which they don't lack! Dir. twins are waaaay better at powder than the internet will let you think. There is a reason why they are all on Aviator, Revenant, Mega Merc etc. Actually, with more speed and more open faces, I prefer dir. twins like a Kazu/Straight over shorter/fater like my Dancehaul or café racer, which lack control on the backfoot up to a point.

I'd much rather watch the best in the world dropping crazy lines for their first time over someone spinning seven rotations off the same jump everyone else did....

Different strokes I guess

I see what you mean, if we compare it to olympic slopestyle. But that's a bit what makes me sad, they turn the backcountry into a park basically—with gigantic amount of oil btw. Watching this I kinda lose the feeling of backcountry whether it is roaming wilderness or spending a day building kickers with friend, I just don't feel it in this contest as much as I do in other vids…But well, the fall lines were mental.

 

[robotfood99]

I thought Mervin would be plastering their websites with how their boards were the final two, Gnu Hyper and Lib Apex O. But I guess it's end-of-season and marketing can wait.