Research And Development 2024
February 24 – March 2, 2025, at Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson, British Columbia.
Research and Development is presented by Arc'teryx and Yeti. Supported by Burton, Jones, Tribute, The Adventure Hotel, Nelson and Kootenay Lake Tourism, The Natural Selection Tour, and Whitewater Ski Resort.
The second annual Research and Development (RnD) backcountry contest will take place February 24 – March 2, 2025, at Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson, British Columbia. This invite-only event, created by professional snowboarder Robin Van Gyn, continues to foster progression in backcountry freestyle snowboarding. With an exclusive roster of 16 invited riders, the event will feature two on-mountain filming days, followed by a high-energy jam-style contest day. The riders will battle for $10,000 in cash prizes, with the overall winner earning a coveted spot on the 2025 Natural Selection Tour (NST) happening later this season.
RnD was designed as a mid-level competition to bridge the gap between novice and elite-level backcountry freestyle riders. It serves as a stepping stone into high-level competition, offering riders the opportunity to showcase their skills in a playful side-country venue. The event is not just about the contest—it’s about the experience and culture of snowboarding. With a full judging panel of pro snowboarders, including Kimmy Fasani, Hana Beaman, Robin Van Gyn, and Marie-France Roy, RnD represents the grassroots, rider-driven spirit of snowboarding.
The 2025 edition will feature some of the best emerging and current talent in snowboarding, including reigning RnD champion, Ellery Manning, Iris Pham (2025 X Games Women’s Snowboard Street Style Gold medalist), Katie Kennedy, Ellie Weiler, Emma Crosby, Mia Jones, Marissa Krawczak, Billy Pelchat, Egan Wint, Estelle Pensiero, Emilé Zynobia, Izzi Gomez, Cali Loeb, and local Nelson rider Eva Van Vugt. Renowned Finnish slopestyle Olympic Silver & Bronze medalist, Enni Rukajärvi, is also confirmed and ready to push her limits in the backcountry. 4x Olympian and 2013 X Games slopestyle silver medalist, Sarka Pancochova locked her RnD spot through the Natural Selection Tour, after not taking the win in her NST Duel. Celia Petrig earned an invite through the Arc'teryx Academy, where 5 riders competed for the chance to film and compete at RnD.
Last year’s inaugural RnD was a success, with riders navigating the "Trash Chutes" at Whitewater, one of the most iconic freestyle venues in snowboarding. The week included two filming days and one contest day, where riders showcased their skills setting the bar for future events. Ellery Manning took home the overall win and earned a spot on the 2025 Natural Selection Tour.
RnD continues to push the boundaries of backcountry freestyle, giving riders of all levels the opportunity to progress and compete at the next level. The event is not only a celebration of snowboarding culture—but an opportunity to showcase and progress backcountry snowboarding. This year there are 2 filming days and a contest day. Riders will get a combined score from their best-filmed trick and their best contest day run.
Research and Development is presented by Arc'teryx and Yeti. Supporting sponsors include Burton, Jones, Tribute, The Adventure Hotel, Nelson and Kootenay Lake Tourism, The Natural Selection Tour, and Whitewater Ski Resort.
RIDERS
Ellie Weiler
Sponsors: GNU, Thirtytwo, DeathGrip Glove Co., Smith Optics, Bent Metal Binding Works, Purl Wax, Gravitee Boardshop
Stance: Goofy
Home Mountain: Copper Mountain growing up! Brighton now
Top Contest Results: 1st - World Quarterpipe Championship, Subaru Rookie Award at the Uninvited Invitational, 2020-21 US Revolution Tour Overall Champion, 6th - 2021/22 DewTour Copper Slopestyle
JUDGES
Kimmy Fasani
Sponsors: Burton, Mammoth Mountain, Dragon, JuneShine, A New Earth Project
Stance: Goofy
Home Mountain: Mammoth Mountain
Video Parts: Absinthe Films AfterForever, Turbo Dujo
Top Contest Results: 3rd Place NST 2023, Rider of the year 2016
PRESENTED BY
SUPPORTED BY
FORMAT
The Research and Development (RnD) contest format is designed to push riders in the backcountry freestyle discipline while supporting progression and creativity. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Two filming days: Riders will have the opportunity to film in a playful side-country venue at Whitewater Ski Resort. During these days, riders will film their best freestyle trick which will be combined with their contest score for a final placement .
- Two-run contest day: The contest day will include a two-run format giving riders the chance to showcase their freeride and freestyle skills in a full run. This score will be combined with best trick for final placement.
- Prizes: The contest offers $10,000 in cash prizes for podium finishers.
- Overall Winner: The overall winner will earn a coveted spot on the 2025 Natural Selection Tour (NST) happening later this season.
JUDGING
RnD’s judging panel is composed of top-tier professional snowboarders, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation:
- Kimmy Fasani
- Hana Beaman
- Robin Van Gyn
- Marie-France Roy
- Jess Kimura
These experts will assess riders' performances based on skills, creativity, flow, and how they adapt to the venue and conditions. Their collective experience in backcountry snowboarding ensures the judging process is reflective of the true spirit of freestyle progression.
Final podium placement is a combination of best trick filming, and a two-run contest. The panel of pro judges will look at overall impression in this unique platform, becoming a gateway to the Natural Selection Tour.
Riders will get a combined score from their best-filmed trick and their best contest day run.
LATEST FROM RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Features
February 24 – March 2, 2025, at Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson, British Columbia.
Research and Development is presented by Arc'teryx and Yeti. Supported by Burton, Jones, Tribute, The Adventure Hotel, Nelson and Kootenay Lake Tourism, The Natural Selection Tour, and Whitewater Ski Resort.
The second annual Research and Development (RnD) backcountry contest will take place February 24 – March 2, 2025, at Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson, British Columbia. This invite-only event, created by professional snowboarder Robin Van Gyn, continues to foster progression in backcountry freestyle snowboarding. With an exclusive roster of 16 invited riders, the event will feature two on-mountain filming days, followed by a high-energy jam-style contest day. The riders will battle for $10,000 in cash prizes, with the overall winner earning a coveted spot on the 2025 Natural Selection Tour (NST) happening later this season.
RnD was designed as a mid-level competition to bridge the gap between novice and elite-level backcountry freestyle riders. It serves as a stepping stone into high-level competition, offering riders the opportunity to showcase their skills in a playful side-country venue. The event is not just about the contest—it’s about the experience and culture of snowboarding. With a full judging panel of pro snowboarders, including Kimmy Fasani, Hana Beaman, Robin Van Gyn, and Marie-France Roy, RnD represents the grassroots, rider-driven spirit of snowboarding.
The 2025 edition will feature some of the best emerging and current talent in snowboarding, including reigning RnD champion, Ellery Manning, Iris Pham (2025 X Games Women’s Snowboard Street Style Gold medalist), Katie Kennedy, Ellie Weiler, Emma Crosby, Mia Jones, Marissa Krawczak, Billy Pelchat, Egan Wint, Estelle Pensiero, Emilé Zynobia, Izzi Gomez, Cali Loeb, and local Nelson rider Eva Van Vugt. Renowned Finnish slopestyle Olympic Silver & Bronze medalist, Enni Rukajärvi, is also confirmed and ready to push her limits in the backcountry. 4x Olympian and 2013 X Games slopestyle silver medalist, Sarka Pancochova locked her RnD spot through the Natural Selection Tour, after not taking the win in her NST Duel. Celia Petrig earned an invite through the Arc'teryx Academy, where 5 riders competed for the chance to film and compete at RnD.
Last year’s inaugural RnD was a success, with riders navigating the "Trash Chutes" at Whitewater, one of the most iconic freestyle venues in snowboarding. The week included two filming days and one contest day, where riders showcased their skills setting the bar for future events. Ellery Manning took home the overall win and earned a spot on the 2025 Natural Selection Tour.
RnD continues to push the boundaries of backcountry freestyle, giving riders of all levels the opportunity to progress and compete at the next level. The event is not only a celebration of snowboarding culture—but an opportunity to showcase and progress backcountry snowboarding. This year there are 2 filming days and a contest day. Riders will get a combined score from their best-filmed trick and their best contest day run.
Research and Development is presented by Arc'teryx and Yeti. Supporting sponsors include Burton, Jones, Tribute, The Adventure Hotel, Nelson and Kootenay Lake Tourism, The Natural Selection Tour, and Whitewater Ski Resort.
RIDERS
Ellie Weiler
Sponsors: GNU, Thirtytwo, DeathGrip Glove Co., Smith Optics, Bent Metal Binding Works, Purl Wax, Gravitee Boardshop
Stance: Goofy
Home Mountain: Copper Mountain growing up! Brighton now
Top Contest Results: 1st - World Quarterpipe Championship, Subaru Rookie Award at the Uninvited Invitational, 2020-21 US Revolution Tour Overall Champion, 6th - 2021/22 DewTour Copper Slopestyle
JUDGES
Kimmy Fasani
Sponsors: Burton, Mammoth Mountain, Dragon, JuneShine, A New Earth Project
Stance: Goofy
Home Mountain: Mammoth Mountain
Video Parts: Absinthe Films AfterForever, Turbo Dujo
Top Contest Results: 3rd Place NST 2023, Rider of the year 2016
PRESENTED BY
SUPPORTED BY
FORMAT
The Research and Development (RnD) contest format is designed to push riders in the backcountry freestyle discipline while supporting progression and creativity. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Two filming days: Riders will have the opportunity to film in a playful side-country venue at Whitewater Ski Resort. During these days, riders will film their best freestyle trick which will be combined with their contest score for a final placement .
- Two-run contest day: The contest day will include a two-run format giving riders the chance to showcase their freeride and freestyle skills in a full run. This score will be combined with best trick for final placement.
- Prizes: The contest offers $10,000 in cash prizes for podium finishers.
- Overall Winner: The overall winner will earn a coveted spot on the 2025 Natural Selection Tour (NST) happening later this season.
JUDGING
RnD’s judging panel is composed of top-tier professional snowboarders, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation:
- Kimmy Fasani
- Hana Beaman
- Robin Van Gyn
- Marie-France Roy
- Jess Kimura
These experts will assess riders' performances based on skills, creativity, flow, and how they adapt to the venue and conditions. Their collective experience in backcountry snowboarding ensures the judging process is reflective of the true spirit of freestyle progression.
Final podium placement is a combination of best trick filming, and a two-run contest. The panel of pro judges will look at overall impression in this unique platform, becoming a gateway to the Natural Selection Tour.
Riders will get a combined score from their best-filmed trick and their best contest day run.
LATEST FROM RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
