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“The Best Skiers in the West”

The Sun Valley Stampede Presented by POWDER brings the best skiers in the West to Bald Mountain for two days of head-to-head competition, live music, and a celebration of mountain culture.

Details

Register Here

The Sun Valley Stampede Presented by POWDER is coming March 14–15, 2026—a brand-new winter competition and mountain festival on Bald Mountain's Warm Springs terrain.

The Competition:

Athletes compete on a course blending racing, skier cross, natural terrain, and park features—judged on style and speed. Saturday's qualifiers (ages 13+ only) advance to Sunday's head-to-head finals, where top finishers from each age group join invited pros and fan-voted wildcards to determine the Best Skier in the West. The top male skier and female skier will receive custom medals to commemorate the accomplishment!

Competition Groups:

12 & Under (male & female) (*Saturday only)
Over 12 (male & female)

The Experience:

Warm Springs Base Area will transform into a festival hub with a Vendor Village featuring local brands, demos, and giveaways, plus live music from Hooks & the Huckleberries (Saturday) and Kris Lager Band (Sunday) with DJ sets all weekend.

Get ready for a weekend celebrating skiing, community, and everything we love about winter in Sun Valley.

Schedule:

Friday, March 13:
2:00–4:00 PM: Athlete Registration (Warm Springs Lodge)
2:00–5:00 PM: Live music by Aaron Golay and the Original Sin (Warm Springs Plaza)

Saturday, March 14:
9:00 AM–3:15 PM: Qualifying Rounds
9:00 AM–5:00 PM: Vendor Village Open
12:00–2:00 PM: DJ BearSkinRug set (Warm Springs Plaza)
2:00–5:00 PM: Live music by Hook & The Huckleberries (Warm Springs Plaza)

Sunday, March 15:
10:00 AM–2:00 PM: Finals
9:00 AM–5:00 PM: Vendor Village Open
12:00–2:00 PM: DJ Locomotive set (Warm Springs Plaza)
2:00–5:00 PM: Live music by Kris Lager Band (Warm Springs Plaza)
3:30 PM: Awards Ceremony

Athlete registration is open. No pre-registration required for spectators.

Lift access is not included in registration. All participants must have a valid lift ticket or pass to compete. Athlete registration will take place upstairs in Warm Springs Lodge.

*All events and schedules subject to change.

Date | March 14–15, 2026

Registration required?

Yes

Location

Bald Mountain

Competition events will be held on the Warm Springs side of Bald Mountain. Athlete registration will take place upstairs in Warm Springs Lodge.

Get Directions

Contact

Phone Number: 208) 622-2135
Email: recreation@sunvalley.com

FAQs

Everything You Need to Know About the Sun Valley Stampede

When does registration open and close?

Registration opens February 6, 2026 and will remain open until the end of the day on March 11, 2026 or until the event reaches capacity.

Registration is available at sunvalley.com/stampede.

Will there be day of registration?

No. Registration will remain open until the end of the day on March 11, 2026 or until the event reaches capacity.

How are athletes selected to compete?

Qualifier & Main Competition (Ages 13+)

Saturday, March 14: Qualifier
Sunday, March 15: Main competition
Registration: Open registration
Capacity: Limited; first come, first served

Youth Division (Ages 12 & Under)

Competes: Saturday, March 14 only
Course: Modified course
Registration: Open to all athletes ages 12 & under
Capacity: Limited; registration closes when full (up to 150 athletes)
Notes: Separate youth competition. Youth athletes do not compete on Sunday.

How will age groups be divided?

Youth

12 years old and younger

Junior Under 18

Two age groups
Top finishers qualify for the championship bracket on Sunday against the Open Adult and Pros

Open Adult Over 18

Two age groups
Top finishers qualify for the championship bracket on Sunday against the Junior and Pros

*Final groupings may adjust based on registration numbers.

What is the Sun Valley Stampede?

An all-mountain ski competition designed to identify the most complete skier by focusing on more than speed or style alone, the Sun Valley Stampede is not a traditional race or freeride contest and serves as a proving ground for skiers who can do everything.

Blends:

Technical carving in a Dual GS style course
Terrain adaptability
Freeride expression

A single flowing course that rewards:

Versatility
Confidence
Control

Three words or phrases that describe the event: Versatile, dynamic, and athlete driven

Why should an athlete register for this event?

This event answers a question most competitions do not ask: Who is the best skier on the whole mountain?

Not every great skier fits neatly into a rulebook. The Sun Valley Stampede values real skiing over specialization, bridging racing, freeride, and all mountain culture in a way that is fun, challenging, and meaningful. Athletes leave this event better skiers, not just ranked ones.

What specific disciplines are being tested?

Carving and alpine fundamentals
Moguls and variable snow
Air and freeride expression

Each discipline flows naturally into the next—no stops, no resets.

What does each discipline look like and how does the course flow?

Carving Section

Athletes open with a high speed carved segment designed to reward precise edge control, intelligent line choice, strong balance, and clean transitions. This section is presented as a dual GS course directly out of the start.

Mogul and Variable Terrain Section

The course drops dramatically into a mogul or mixed snow zone that challenges athletes to absorb terrain, maintain rhythm, and adapt quickly. This section tests composure and technical control under pressure.

Air and Freeride Feature Zone

The final zone features optional airs, banked turns, and creative terrain elements that allow athletes to express style, amplitude, and control. Smart line choice and confident execution are rewarded throughout.

Overall Flow

The course is designed to ski as one continuous mountain run from start to finish. It is not three separate events, but a fluid test of complete all mountain skiing.

What is the approximate course length?

Vertical drop: Approximately 1,000 vertical feet
Estimated run time: Roughly 120 seconds depending on line choice and speed

Will there be any unique features?

Yes. Athletes can expect:

A dramatic terrain park feature entering the Race Arena
Seamless integration of natural terrain
Race-like slope preparation on the upper GS section
Features that reward smart skiing rather than mandatory tricks
Course design that highlights Bald Mountain's natural character
Creative park elements near the finish for expression

The Sun Valley Stampede