Jordan Grant-Krenz
Red Bull Cascade – April 21-22, 2023
Winter Park, Colorado
Below you’ll find event details, schedule, course preview video, photos and more
It’s no secret that the freeski competition scene is, in a word, repetitive. That’s not to say it’s bad, as there’s plenty of excitement from the X Games to the Dew Tour, to the Freeski World Cup circut. Skiers are smashing records and soaring higher than ever before. Tess Ledeux, Birk Rudd, Alex Hall and Colby Stevenson are just a few of the many athletes who have been skiing lights out, spending nearly as much time on the podium as they have in the air. However, some would argue that a new competition format, a new style of course and scoring would be excellent for the riders, the fans, and the culture. But don’t just take my word for it. Take it from one of the most storied riders in the history of freeskiing; Bobby Brown.
Bobby has been a legend in the world of skiing for years now, breaking onto the scene in his early teenage years and leaving little to be questioned when it comes to his place in ski history. Throughout injuries and setbacks, success and fame, Bobby has maintain a grounded disposition and an unwavering, contagious passion for the sport of freeskiing. The Colorado hometown hero has gone from freestyle podiums to backcountry film segments in the last decade, showing that he is truly a multi-disciplinary student of the sport.
“We’re setting up the course build to intertwine multiple runs so the riders can link together a variety of lines. We’ll have those standalone park features but also lines through the trees, slush, and bumps you can freeride” – Bobby ‘the great bambino’ Brown
Perhaps it is this crisscross of skills and devotion that led Bobby to call up his long-time friends at Red Bull and cook up one of the most creative and mind-melting competitions skiing has ever seen; Red Bull Cascade. The new competition is a shake-up from what we’ve come to expect in a freeskiing competition. In fact, it’s more of a freestyle, freeride, big mountain combo. The Cascade course is a two-mile-long string of features in Winter Park, Colorado. It’s a mash-up of massive rail features, lofty jumps, side hits, bumps and more. As Bobby put it, “We’re setting up the course build to intertwine multiple runs so the riders can link together a variety of lines. We’ll have those standalone park features but also lines through the trees, slush, and bumps you can freeride”. The invitational will bring together some of the worlds best riders to battle it out over several days, with a Men’s and Women’s champion being crowned after the finals have concluded on Saturday, April 22.
Spanning from April 21-22, this is certainly not an event to be missed if you’re in the area. There will be spectating areas on April 21-22 so you can check out your favorite riders make light work of this incredible tapestry of a course.
Below you’ll find a course preview video, event schedule + details, and photos from the build last year. Get stoked!
Red Bull Cascade 2023 Competition Schedule
Friday, April 21st: Men’s Round 1
Friday will begin the Men’s Bracket Round 1. About six athletes will move on to finals on Saturday. Come soak up the sun and watch your favorite riders kick it on this mind-blowing course.
Spectators are welcome to watch Round 1 from specific viewing areas.
Saturday, April 22nd: Men’s and Women’s Finals Rounds
Saturday will see the remaining men’s and women’s athletes duel it out in semi and final rounds. One winner from each division will be crowned the winner at the Winter Park Ski Resort base village.
Spectators are welcome to watch the final rounds from specific viewing areas.
Photo Gallery
Images courtesy of Red Bull
