The Format
The Silver Belt is an adrenaline-packed, one-of-a-kind freeride competition. It’s open to anyone willing to send it. Athletes can qualify through the Silver Belt Qualifier and compete alongside invited pros. 

Athlete-Built. Athlete-Judged.

This is not your average comp. From the hand-shaped course to the judging format, the Silver Belt is designed by athletes, for athletes.

 - During the Qualifier, riders were grouped into heats by gender and category. Each heat was judged by the athletes in the previous heat.

 - On Finals Day, each athlete got two runs. A video review of the best run determined the winners— voted on by their peers.

Weather & Conditions

Nearly five feet of new snow fell in the week leading up to the event, setting the stage. Bluebird skies and cold temps kept the course in perfect shape.

Honoring the Past, Reimagining the Future

First held in the 1940s, the original Silver Belt was a daring downhill ski race through the rugged gully. In 2024, that history was reimagined through the lens of modern freeride. Massive cliffs, natural transitions, and hand-built jumps brought new life to the legendary terrain—while the spirit of camaraderie and competition stayed true to its roots.

Qualifier – April 2

Held off the Disney lift at Sugar Bowl, over 100 athletes threw down for a shot at finals. 25 advanced to join 33 invited pros.

Build Day – April 3

Athletes in the final work together to build features in the Silver Belt Gully—building jumps and shaping natural features into a fully athlete-designed course.

Finals – April 4

Held in the Silver Belt Gully off the Lincoln lift. 58 finalists dropped in for two judged runs, with an open jam session to close it out. Big lines, big airs, and an even bigger après party in the Vendor Village and Village Hall.

The riding? Next level. The vibes? Even better.

Women’s Ski Podium: Every athlete threw a double backflip that day.
Hannah Epsteyn, Indy Boyer, and Ana Eyssimont absolutely sent it. Hannah and Indy landed dubs during the event, Ana landed hers in the open jam on the course following the judged runs.

Most jaw-dropping moment: A massive backflip off the cliff at the top of Silver Belt by Kelly Killeke. Then, in the open jam, he landed a triple backflip.

A new era, welcoming snowboarders: 2025 marked the debut of the snowboard division— welcoming riders into this storied competition for the first time.

Ski – Men
1  Robert Andre Ruud (@robertruud)
2  Kelly Killeke (@kellysends)
3  Dillon Flinders (@dillonflinders)

Ski – Women
1  Hannah Epsteyn (@hannah_epsteyn) – Sugar Bowl Ambassador
2  Indy Boyer (@indy._.boyer) – Sugar Bowl Ambassador
3  Ana Eyssimont (@ana.eyssimont)

Snowboard – Men
1  Nate Bromley (@nate.bromley)
2  Shayne Blue Sandblom (@shayneblu)
3  Tim Humphreys (@timhumphreys)

Snowboard – Women
1  Ella Sorenson (@ellasorensen_)
2  Ellery Manning (@ellery_manning_)
3  Freya Hammerlein (@freyahammerlein)

The Visionary Behind the Rebirth: Xander Guldman

Raised on Sugar Bowl’s slopes, Sugar Bowl Ambassador Xander Guldman knows every line, every drop, every powder stash on the mountain. He also had a dream: to transform the historic Silver Belt Gully into a freeride playground. In 2024, that dream became a reality.

Partnering with Sugar Bowl, Xander brought to life a bold new competition format— where athletes build the course, judge each other, and ride a line that fuses big-mountain energy with slopestyle progression. Word spread fast, and soon riders from around the world came to chase the dream with him.

Prizes & Legacy

A $10,000+ cash prize purse was split between the top three male and female athletes. But the greatest honor? Having your name etched on the original 1940s Silver Belt trophy—on display in the Belt Room of the historic Sugar Bowl Lodge.

Media access now available: download photos from the April 2, 2025 Silver Belt Qualifier. If you share them, please credit the photographer and tag @sugarbowlresort when relevant. Need a different angle or custom crop? Drop us a line at [email protected].

We captured the energy of Qualifier Day from both the sky and the slopes. Media outlets are welcome to use our footage—just be sure to credit the source. When sharing, don’t forget to tag the photographer and @sugarbowlresort where it fits. Need an alternate shot or a specific crop? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Available for media usage, download images from the Silver Belt Finals on April, 4, 2025.  Please tag the photographer and @sugarbowlresort when appropriate.  Looking for a different image or different crop? Send us an email to [email protected].

We caught finals day from the ground and the air.  Clips are available for media usage when credit is provided. Please tag the photographer and @sugarbowlresort when appropriate.  Looking for a different image or different crop? Send us an email to [email protected].

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