YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke | Day One Recap
Header Photo Cory Grandfield
The 2026 YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke kicked off exactly how we hoped—and after a late night at the Rockford, it almost feels like we’re still dreaming.
With a last-minute green light from the ops crew, the 24 invited riders were given wall-to-wall, free reign across both the East and West zones of Montana Bowl.
Roughly 200 spectators made the longer-than-expected hike to the bottom corral to watch it all unfold. With finals spots, and a ticket back to the 2027 event, on the line, here are four Canadian storylines from day one.
Brin Alexander is the people's champ
We all remember Whistler-born-and-raised Brin Alexander’s heroics at last year’s event—dropping first, straight-airing the biggest hit on course, then chucking a frontside 360 down it on run two.
This year he doubled down on that momentum. On his first run, he returned to his signature hit and boosted a laid-out backflip, in a very “for the people” moment.
Photo Alastair Spriggs
On run two, he finally veered east toward a fresh line, linking a Cab 900 and beefy cliff drop to earn the highest score of the day and secure a spot in the finals.
Photo Alastair Spriggs
RND winner, and NST rookie, Billy Pelchat makes finals
Fresh off a win at RnD, 18-year-old rookie Billy Pelchat cruised into the finals with a fast, flowing run that opened with a Cab 540. Waiting at the bottom were her dad, JF Pelchat, and friend Estelle Pensiero with a mini bottle of Fireball.
Photo Rob Lemay
“I feel so lucky to be here,” Pelchat said. “Landing my Cab 5 was the highlight, and just getting to the bottom knowing I did the best run I could.”
Mark McMorris takes care of business
Fresh off a trip to the 2026 Winter Olympics, McMorris dropped late in his session and took care of business. He put together a composed run highlighted by a big 720 off the ridge jump to stay alive in the bracket and eventually punch his ticket to finals day.
“This event is held to a very high standard among our peers,” McMorris said ahead of the contest. “It’s kind of a dream contest for any snowboarder—riding a freestyle zone caked with powder.”
Mateo Massitti knows the zone better than anyone
Few riders on the roster know Montana Bowl like Revelstoke local Mateo Massitti—who spent the past two summers shaping features on the venue alongside Dustin Craven.
When his turn came to drop, that familiarity paid off. Massitti opened up the Far East line with pace, stomping a clean frontside 540 off the upper feature before flowing through the pillows to move through the opening round.
Photo Rob Lemay
By the end of day one, the field had narrowed to 12 finalists—eight men and four women—who’ll return to Montana Bowl when finals day gets the call.
RIDERS ADVANCING TO FINAL DAY
WOMEN
Šárka Pančochová
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott
Billy Pelchat
Madison Blackley
MEN
Nils Mindnich
Mark McMorris
Gigi Rüf
Torstein Horgmo
Mateo Massitti
Blake Moller
Jared Elston
Brin Alexander
BOA Dialed In Awards — Best Tricks
Šárka Pančochová — Frontside 720
Miles Fallon — Backside 720
