Sports

The Best Photos From Lake Tahoe's Wildest Freeride Ski Competition

By Ian Greenwood Powder

Updated April 15, 2026 2:07 PM

Even during a tough snow season, Sugar Bowl, California, managed to put on a show.

Earlier this month, skiers and snowboarders gathered at the resort for the Silver Belt, a reimagined edition of a historical ski race. The new one is a bit like a freeride competition, but with some twists.

For one, it's peer-judged. The athletes watch each other compete, determining the podium finishers who threw down for a chance at $10,000 in prizes.

And unlike many of its freeride competition counterparts, the Silver Belt includes jumps and features shaped by the skiers themselves. Add in some cliffs, and you have a perfect recipe for a good time.

The weather did change this year's Silver Belt, though. The qualifier event, the Silver Belt Open, was canceled due to the conditions. That shrank the field of competitors from 180 to 45.

Here's who took home the bacon. Keep reading for our favorite photos from the event.

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