Snowledge Ambassadors Eric Lee O’Brien, Brandon Craddock, and Brian Stenerson, plus several other athletes from our community of friends, are headed to compete at the Freeride World Qualifier Event this week in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) will host a 2- and 4- Star Qualifying event together with the Freeride World Tour in the legendary Extreme Limits Terrain, called the Crested Butte Extremes for a chance at the title of US Extreme Freeskiing Champion.

This competition is dubbed the US Freeskiing Extreme Championships, and considered the longest consecutively running freeski competition in the country.

The 2-Star Qualifying event will take place on Friday, February 10, with the top athlete from each category awarded a wildcard spot for the 4-Star Qualifier on Saturday, February 11.

Professional athletes from all over come to compete in the famed Crested Butte Extremes during this two-day competition. Here’s a quick breakdown of the event:

Friday, February 10: 2-Star Qualifying event on Headwall, Registration, Venue Inspection*, Athlete Meeting for 4-Star Saturday, February 11: Day 1, Qualifying Run for all 4-Star competitors Sunday, February 12: Day 2, Finals for qualifying competitors and Awards Monday, February 13: Weather Day (as needed) When asked about what he was most looking forward to at this competition, Brandon Craddock replied, “I’m excited to be going somewhere new, traveling is part of the fun.” He added, “I’ve heard a lot of great things about Crested Butte and the venue, so I’m looking forward to that, and I’ll do my job, the judges will do theirs, and hopefully I’ll stay on my feet!”

When we followed up, asking him for any advice he would share with those whose aims are to one day reach competitive status as a freeskier, he had three things to share.

“Ski a line that you’ll be stoked on shredding, not necessarily one that you’ll think will please the judges. Freeskiing is such an expressive sport so express yourself through your line and your skiing. Finally, have fun with the process and jump off something for crying out loud!” Keep an eye out for any of our Snowledge Ambassador Team to get your hands on some stickers, and see how you can earn some free #Snowledge Swag while at Crested Butte, or online via the Snowledge social media channels!

• Competition venues and recommended spectating locations are currently TBA. We will update this article with the latest information, when announced.

More information about the competition can be found at www.freeskiers.org.