Flathead Freeride Club athletes shine at major competitions

Junior athletes from Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Flathead Freeride Club recently capped off a season of outstanding competition by delivering impressive performances at two major events -- the Northern Regional Championships in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the prestigious Junior Freeride Championships in Kirkwood, California.  

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort hosted the Northern Regional Championships on March 27-28. The competition featured top junior athletes from across Montana and Wyoming.  

Flathead Freeride Club athletes competed on steep, technical terrain in dynamic spring conditions, and were judged on line choice, control, technique, fluidity and style.  

Flathead athletes earned top finishes across both the U15 and U19 divisions. Jacqueline Fortin finished in sixth place and Landon Campbell in 11th place in the U15 division. 

In the U19 division, Metta Campbell won first, Lilly Mollenkopf took third, Kyle Smith earned fourth place, while Kaydee Walcheck and Jesse Deets finished tenth. 

Top junior freeride skiers and snowboarders from North and South America gathered at Kirkwood Mountain Resort for the Junior Freeride Championships, the highest-level junior event of the season, from April 7-12. 

Representing the best of their age groups, athletes were selected based on overall season rankings to compete on the Cirque, a permanently closed venue at Kirkwood which was opened specifically for this championship. Known for its steep, exposed lines and technical terrain, the Cirque provided a true test for elite junior riders.  

Two Flathead Freeride Club athletes earned the honor of competing, U15 Ski Division Solan Taj Tallman, a first-time qualifier, and U19 Ski Division Katie Hersom, a third-time qualifier who finished in eighth place.  

“It was a fun experience to go and ski the Cirque,” Tallman said. “It was cool that we could compete on that venue because it’s never open to the public. There were lots of features and cliffs that made it more interesting than other venues.”  

Tallman said the unique terrain gave the skiers lots of options and he was able to go bigger on some features. 

"I would love to have the opportunity to go there again," he added. 

This marked Tallman’s first appearance at the international championships -- a major achievement and a sign of things to come. Meanwhile, Hersom made her third trip to the event, showing the consistency, progression and poise of a seasoned competitor.  

Both events celebrated not only competitive achievement but also the camaraderie, community and mountain culture that define freeride sport. They also showcased the strength of the Flathead Freeride Club on both regional and international stages.  

    Kyle Smith soars at a freeride competition. (Photo provided)