Jib League Makes Its American Debut at Sugar Bowl Resort, California

Freeskiing has been progressing exponentially over the past five years which has garnered more attention to the sport, but it has the athletes, fans, and community wondering if it’s actually beneficial, especially in the competition setting.

Freeskiers Øystein Bråten, James Woods, and Ferdinand Dahl have reimagined the world of freeskiing through a series of events called Jib League. It renounces the “spin to win” mentality seen in the Olympics and World Cup Events, and focuses more on creativity, style, awareness, and overall impression.

“Progression doesn’t have to be another spin or another flip,” says Woods in the Jib League movie.

The Jib League events the past year and a half have been strictly in Europe, but now they are making the jump across the pond to bring their fresh ideas to the Americas at Sugar Bowl Resort in California this weekend April 6-11.

The event process is original yet simple. At Sugar Bowl, there will be an open jam session on different park features, and the top amateurs will be invited to the pro jam the following days.

The confirmed pro lineup is stacked with legendary pros as well as homegrown talent of the Tahoe area.

There are no judges, no criteria, and no boxes to check. It’s judged totally by the competitors who will vote at the end to see who embodies freeskiing the best on different features.

The founders kept the criteria vague on purpose. They didn’t want the rigid rules of overseeing organizations and judges to interfere with true freeskiing. Rather than throwing down what the judges want to see, the athletes are encouraged to be bold, original, and of course steezy.

There’s no sign up or entry fee. All you have to do is show up with a pass to get on the lift and throw down.