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“U.S. Ski and Snowboard Announces First Freeride Team Roster” by Juan Hernadez via The Inertia

“U.S. Ski and Snowboard Announces First Freeride Team Roster” by Juan Hernadez via The Inertia

Kai Jones will be a member of the 2026-2027 U.S. Freeride Team. Photo: Le Bent

U.S. Ski and Snowboard has announced its 2026-2027 Freeride roster — the first team since the International Olympic Committee approved freeride for the Alpes 2030 Olympic Games.

The first team for the United States currently consists of eight skiers (three women and five men) and five snowboarders (four men and one woman). Selections were made with the team’s own criteria, which accounted for everything from U.S. Ski & Snowboard, USASA, or International Ski Federation (FIS) points or ranking lists, and more. The 13 American athletes collectively bring three medalists from the first FIS Freeride World Championships, the reigning Freeride World Tour (FWT) women’s snowboard champion and two skiers who finished on the 2026 FWT overall podium.

The roster will likely look very different when the 2030 Olympics Games come around. U.S. Ski and Snowboard’s Freeride roster will change year to year, and in July, the IOC announced Freeride will be the first Olympic sport to achieve an equal number of male and female athletes, with 22 men and 22 women.

The 2026-2027 U.S. Freeride Team:

Ski
Women

  • Molly Armanino (Placerville, CA)
  • Lily Bradley (Lake Tahoe, CA)
  • Wynter McBride (Ogden, UT)

Men

  • Kelly Hilleke (Glenwood Springs, CO)
  • Kai Jones (Jackson Hole, WY)
  • Joey Leonardo (Edwards, CO)
  • Toby Rafford (Sun Valley, ID)
  • Ross Tester (Truckee, CA)

Snowboard
Women

  • Mia Jones (Truckee, CA)

Men

  • Michael Mawn (Bozeman, MT)
  • Blake Moller (Edwards, CO)
  • Holden Samuels (Big Sky, MT)
  • Shayne Blue Sandblom (Silt, CO)

Founded in 2010, The Inertia is the definitive voice of surf and outdoors. They approach the natural world and its devoted culture with curiosity, optimism, and respect. They take pride in bringing their passion for the oceans and mountains to life through original films, reporting, and monumental gatherings. They aim to make a positive impact on the planet through partnerships with nonprofits working hard to preserve earth’s sacred places. Be sure to visit The Inertia website to view valuable Surfing and Outdoor related News and Resourceful Articles regularly.


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