The Future is NOW: Tahoe Jr. Freeride Series Ignites the 25/26 Winter Season!
#StokeLevel is absolutely pegged in the red.
We are turning the page on 2025 and dropping straight into the heart of the winter season. For me, that means one thing: It’s time to grab the mic.
I am fired up to announce that I’m back in the booth with CJ on the tour for the 2025/2026 Winter Season, announcing for the Tahoe Jr. Freeride Series (TJFS). This isn’t just a competition; it is a glimpse into the future of our sport. It is the premier breeding ground for the next generation of big mountain rippers, and it all starts this weekend.
The 2025/2026 Tour: The “Groms” Take Over
We are kicking off the New Year in style with a back-to-back showcase of the best young talent in the West. Get your calendars out, because you do not want to miss this action.
STOP #1: Sugar Bowl Resort | Jan 3rd & 4th
We start at the “Old School Cool” of the Donner Summit. Sugar Bowl is steep, technical, and historically deep. It separates the skiers from the turners.STOP #2: Palisades Tahoe | Jan 10th & 11th
One week later, we take the show to the “Mothership.” The terrain here demands respect, and seeing these U12, U15, and U19 athletes dissect lines is a spiritual experience.
ON THE HORIZON:
Stop #3: Kirkwood (The 'Wood) – Jan 24-25
Stop #4: Mt. Rose (The Chutes) – March 7-9
Championships: Kirkwood – April 6-13
The Mission: More Than Just a Podium
The TJFS isn’t just about who stands on the box; it’s about building human beings. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, their mission goes deeper than the snowpack.
They are creating a competitive environment that fosters mental and emotional fortitude. They are teaching these kids how to handle success and failure, how to assess risk in a dynamic mountain environment, and how to support their fellow competitors. When you see a U12 athlete cheering for the kid who just beat them, you know the culture is right.
Ones to Watch: The 2026 Hit List
Looking back at the 2025 Overall rankings, the talent pool is deeper than the Tahoe trench. These are the names you need to know before they are household names.
The U12 Rippers:
The future is looking incredibly bright. On the female ski side, keep your eyes locked on Alina Villaret and Molly McClain, who crushed the podium last year. For the boys, Mavrik Martin, Elan Tanhoff, and Owen Vaughan are bringing serious heat.
Stoke Alert: Let’s hear it for the sideways sliders! Sawyer Maissen, Walker Buzas, and Finn Cullerton pulled off a massive Tahoe Sweep in the U12 Male Snowboard division last season!
The U15 Heavy Hitters:
Stepping up the intensity, the U15 division is stacked.
Ski: The female field is being led by chargers like Rafi Kane, Isla Kruse, and Tabitha Silvern. On the men’s side, watch for the technical precision of Liam Coyle, Sutton Coletta, and Kip Walbrun.
Snowboard: The riders are sending it deep. Asta Hartwell and Gabby Boday are forces to be reckoned with, while Justin LaBar and Fletcher Corcoran are ready to stomp their landings.
The Squads: Grit, Stoke, and Pure Skillability The roster this season is absolutely stacked, and it all comes down to one factor: Skillability. I’m talking about that rare, combustible mix of raw athletic grit, technical mastery, and creative aggression.
Defending the Home Turf: This weekend, the Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy holds the keys to the castle. They know every transition and hidden stash on the Silver Belt, and they will be fighting hard to keep the hardware on the Summit.
The Inbound Invasion: But the siege is coming from all sides, led by the heavy hitters from Olympic Valley Freestyle and Freeride Team (OV Three) and Team Palisades Tahoe, who are looking to stomp their authority before the tour heads to their house next week.
The pressure won't stop there:
The Kirkwood Freeride Team is bringing that legendary, rock-hard 'Wood' grit.
The Mt. Rose Ski Team is dropping in fresh from the Chutes.
And we’ve got relentless chargers from Diamond Peak, Mammoth Mountain, and Alpine adding to the mix.
These athletes aren't just skiing the venue; they are interpreting it with a level of Skillability that blows my mind every single year.
Get Involved: Support the Stoke
This entire series is fueled by passion and volunteers. The TJFS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, which means they rely on the support of our community to keep the dream alive.
How you can help:
Volunteer: It takes a village to run these events. From venue crew to scoring runners, they always need hands. Check out the “Volunteer Interest Form” on their site.
Sponsor: Do you have a business? Check out their Sponsorship Deck. Aligning your brand with these values is a no-brainer.
Donate: Keep the operations running smooth and the entry fees accessible.
Head over to TahoeFreeride.org to get the full details, check the IFSA rulebooks, and see the full schedule.
So, if you are at Sugar Bowl this weekend or Palisades next weekend, follow the sound of my voice, come find the venue, and make some noise for these athletes.
Let’s get this season started right. The snow is flying, the bell is about to ring, and the Stoke Level is Rising!
Stay’n Thirsty for the Next Gen,
Coop
