The first-ever Natural Selection Ski competition dropped in on April 17, 2025, and it did not disappoint. Born from the visionary mind of snowboard legend Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour (NST) has long been a staple in the snowboard world. But this year marked a game-changing moment: skiing officially joined the roster—alongside mountain biking and surfing—in what’s quickly becoming one of the most progressive competitions in action sports.
This inaugural ski event brought together some of the most talented freeriders on the planet, all facing off in NST’s signature bracket-style format, where riders go head-to-head and throw down their best lines. Judging criteria: Creativity, Risk, Execution, Difficulty, and Overall Impression.
Among this stacked field was Markus Eder, the Italian freeride phenom and former Freeride World Tour champion. Known for his fluid style and imaginative approach to big mountain lines, Markus was placed in a heat alongside Craig Murray, Max Palm, and Kye Peterson.
Despite dicey conditions—a mix of rapid warming and fresh snow just before comp day—the venue, dubbed Priority 1, offered up a playground of natural features and endless line choices. Riders had to adapt quickly and commit fully.
And Markus delivered.
Navigating creative and high-risk terrain with signature finesse, Markus earned a well-deserved third-place finish, standing proudly alongside Craig Murray (NZL) in first and Sam Kuch (CAN) in second.
🥇 Craig Murray (NZL)
🥈 Sam Kuch (CAN)
🥉 Markus Eder (ITA)
The Natural Selection wasn’t just a contest—it was a statement. The inclusion of skiing in the Natural Selection Tour has been a long time coming, and its debut couldn’t have gone better. With riders like Markus Eder pushing the boundaries of what's possible in big mountain freestyle, it’s clear that skiing has found a thrilling new stage to evolve on.