Harrison Fitch and Camila Brown win 2016 Masters of Snowboarding

Big Sky Resort hosted this year’s Masters of Snowboarding tour stop as 155 competitors met at the infamous Headwaters of Big Sky Resort. Snow continually fell during the first two days of competition, making the venue prime for the riders to showcase their skills on highly technical terrain.

The venue for the 2016 Masters of Snowboarding: the Headwaters at Big Sky | Photo: Sean Ryan

Prior to the main event, an open qualifier round was held and pushed 24 skiers and snowboarders into day one of the main event. They joined pre-qualified athletes who were selected by their notable accomplishments in competitive big mountain riding. Points were accumulated during the two main event days of competition and scores from each rider were combined to determine the overall series champions. At the competition’s conclusion, Harrison Fitch and Camila Brown became the Masters of Snowboarding Champions.

Men’s winner, Harrison Fitch, throwing on the brakes in the middle of steep, rocky course. | Photo: Amy Jimmerson

“The Masters [of Snowboarding] is special because of the friends. It’s a family out here,” said Fitch. “Using totally natural terrain and being able to ride what you want to ride. The freedom to create your own experience. It’s a real, genuine competition.”

“I was stoked to be on the podium with two friends from the Alta Snowboard team,” said Brown “The camaraderie at this competition keeps me coming back and keeps me motivated to train hard. This is my community and I love this sport.”

Women’s winner, Camila Brown, charging. | Photo: Sean Ryan

“Every year we hope for conditions as good as what we had this year,” said Bryan Barlow, event director. “We couldn’t have planned for the weather to work out this well. With two days of snow and a blue bird finals day, the level of athletes who came to Big Sky really pushed the limits and made for a great competition, one for the books. It was a true testament to the freeride community and it’s what keeps this sport unique and as cool as it is.”

In addition to podium prizes, the Sickbird Award is a highly sought after honor whose winners are chosen by the hosts of the event — not on a point system. Mica Brownlie, a snowboarder from Snowbird took home a Sickbird belt buckles.

The coveted Sickbird trophy. | Photo: Amy Jimmerson

“I feel like I can quit snowboarding now,” said Brownlie. “Joining the Sickbird community has been a dream of mine since I started competing close to a decade ago. This is a huge honor to stand among some of the best in the sport.”

Sickbird winner, Mica Brownlie, earning his buckle. | Photo: Sean Ryan

“The Sickbird is sometimes sought after more so than the actual victory of the event because of its recognition among the competitors,” said Max Kuszaj, FWT co-host of seven years. “The winners are not decided on defined criteria, but awarded to the athletes that display the most overall athleticism and sportsmanship throughout the competition — those that really embody the spirit of freeride competition.”

FWT was generously supported by Sierra Nevada, Clif Bar and The North Face. The competition will be broadcasted to a global audience via Comcast Sports in April.